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Students are responsible for all information given in the latest catalog and also for all published and posted regulations, procedures and changes. No deviations from any graduate regulations are permissible unless they are approved first by the appropriate academic department, program coordinator and the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies.
The School of Graduate Studies takes all possible precautions to insure the confidentiality of student records. Students may examine their records by making an appointment with an advisor. Students must realize that all transcripts, application information, and letters of recommendation become property of the University once they are submitted. Students have the right to withhold publication or release of certain information. No individual outside the University may examine a student’s record without that student’s permission.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (The Buckley Amendment) and Fair Information Practices Act
Annually, Salem State University informs students of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (The Buckley Amendment, generally referred to as FERPA) and the Fair Information Practices Act of 1975. Salem State University intends to fully comply with these statutes, which were designed to protect the privacy of education records, to establish the right of students to inspect and review their educational records, and to provide guidelines for the correction of inaccurate or misleading data through informal and formal hearings. Students also have the right to file complaints with the Family Policy Compliance Office (FPCO), U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20202-5901, concerning alleged failures by the institution to comply with the Act.
Directory information is defined by FERPA as information which would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed, and it may be used in institutional publications, honors and graduation announcements, press releases, and other public documents. Please note that while the University has the discretion to withhold directory information, as a public institution of higher education, requests under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Massachusetts Public Records Law must be honored.
- Legal Name
- Current hometown (permanent address zip code)
- Major and minor fields of study
- Dates of attendance
- Enrollment status (full or part time) and whether or not currently enrolled
- Certificates, degrees, honors and awards received
- Date of actual or expected graduation
- Class Level (first year, sophomore, junior, senior, graduate student)
- Most recent educational institution attended
- Participation in recognized athletic teams sponsored by the University
- Weight and height of athletic team members
The University may disclose any of these items without prior written consent, unless the student has submitted a written request to the Registrar’s Office not to release directory information pertaining to him or her. Requests will be processed within 48 business hours after receipt. The University reserves the right to revise the designation of public directory information each academic year with full notification to students and the wider University community prior to such designations taking effect.
Right to Opt Out of Directory Information Disclosure
Students have the right to withhold the disclosure of directory information. To do so, students must submit a signed “Request to Withhold Directory Information” form to the Registrar’s Office in the Student Navigation Center. Prior to submitting such request, it is strongly recommended that the student meet with a service specialist so that they understand the full ramifications of making such a request. All requests will be processed within 48 business hours, and the request will become effective as of the date it is processed. Once a request to withhold directory information has been filed, it remains in effect until the student provides written notification to revoke it, even if they have withdrawn or graduated.
In compliance with the Solomon Amendment, the university is required to provide military recruiters with certain “student recruiting information” upon request, regardless of whether the university has designated those items as public directory information under its FERPA policy. The additional data elements covered by the Solomon Amendment that are not Salem State directory information include: addresses (including email), telephone numbers, age or date of birth, and place of birth. These elements must be released to military recruiters even if not identified as directory information by the university. However, students who have formally requested that their directory information be withheld under FERPA will also be excluded from Solomon Amendment disclosures.
Student Judicial Process
All students are expected to abide by Federal and State laws and the regulations of Salem State University relevant to the School of Graduate Studies. Violation of these may be cause for judicial action conducted within the principles of due process. Copies of the procedure may be obtained at the School of Graduate Studies office.
Student Conduct Code
University students are recognized as being both citizens in the larger community and members of an academic community. In their roles as citizens, students are free to exercise their fundamental constitutional rights. Rights and responsibilities under local, state and national laws are neither abridged nor extended by status as a student at Salem State. However, as members of the academic community, students are expected to fulfill those behavioral responsibilities which accompany their membership and which are necessitated by the university’s pursuit of its stated goals. These behavioral responsibilities are stated in university publications such as The Compass, (viewed on line) Student Conduct Code, and The Guide to Residence Hall Living. It is expected that the conduct of all students will be consistent with the educational purposes of the institution and in no way will interfere with the functions of the university as it seeks to fulfill that purpose. Consequently, individual and group behavior which inhibits members of the community, i.e., students, faculty and administrators, from carrying out their respective educational tasks and duties is unacceptable. Policy violations committed by students will be handled through the university student conduct and mediation process which has been established to resolve complaints of student misconduct. The student conduct and mediation process is designed to protect due process rights and to reach decisions that are in the best interest of both the students and the university.
This code shall apply to all part-time and full-time undergraduate, graduate and continuing education university students at Salem State. To view this code in its entirety, please visit here.
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