{"id":323,"date":"2025-03-18T09:28:14","date_gmt":"2025-03-18T14:28:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/registrar\/?page_id=323"},"modified":"2026-04-08T15:05:51","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T20:05:51","slug":"sharing-protecting-your-information","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/registrar\/student-record\/sharing-protecting-your-information\/","title":{"rendered":"Sharing &amp; Protecting Your Information"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<section class=\"uwm-u-py-80\"><div class=\"uwm-l-container--base uwm-l-container--overflow-hidden\">\n<div class=\"uwm-l-row\">\n<div class=\"uwm-l-col\"><header class=\"page-header\"><h1 class=\"entry-title heading-separator\">Sharing &amp; Protecting Your Information<\/h1><\/header>\n\n\n<p>The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) adheres to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) to protect students&#8217; educational records. Under FERPA, students have the right to review, inspect, and request amendments to their records. They can also control the disclosure of their information, with certain exceptions such as health or safety emergencies. UWM designates some information as &#8220;directory information,&#8221; which can be released without consent unless the student requests otherwise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Students must provide written consent for the release of their educational records to third parties, except in specific situations like financial aid or transfer to another institution. UWM ensures students are annually informed of their FERPA rights and provides procedures for reviewing and correcting records. Requests to review records must be made in writing and are processed within 45 days. For more details, students can refer to the full annual disclosure text provided by the university<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-l-col uwm-l-col--4 uwm-l-offset--1\"><div class=\"content_block\" id=\"custom_post_widget-372\">\n<div class=\"uwm-l-buttons--full\">\n<a class=\"uwm-c-button uwm-c-button--full uwm-u-mb-20\" href=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/paws\" rel=\"\">PAWS<\/a>\n\n\n\n<a class=\"uwm-c-button uwm-c-button--full uwm-u-mb-20\" href=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/registrar\/enrollment\/stellic\/\" rel=\"\">Stellic<\/a>\n\n\n\n<a class=\"uwm-c-button uwm-c-button--full uwm-u-mb-20\" href=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/registrar\/contact\" rel=\"\">Contact<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-block-otp-nav \"><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"uwm-bg-gray uwm-u-py-80\"><div class=\"uwm-l-container--base uwm-l-container--overflow-hidden\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading heading-separator\" id=\"h-family-educational-rights-and-privacy-act-ferpa\">Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974&nbsp;governs and protects your rights to your individual educational records. The primary rights protected under FERPA are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Students\u2019 rights to review and inspect their educational records;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Students\u2019 rights to have their educational records amended or corrected;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Students\u2019 rights to control disclosure of certain portions of their educational records<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>FERPA also requires that you be advised of your rights concerning your education records and of certain categories of public information which the university has designated \u201cdirectory information.\u201d&nbsp; This information&nbsp;will be routinely released to any inquirer unless you specifically request that all directory information be withheld.&nbsp; Other information is considered private, or protected, by the University and is only releasable to the individual students themselves, the Dean\u2019s Office, UWM departments, and individuals with an educational need-to-know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Under FERPA, prior written consent must be obtained before your educational record may be disclosed to a third party, unless they are exempted from this provision. Example of third parties who are exempt include organizations from which you have received financial aid and other educational institutions at which you intend to enroll.&nbsp; There are also some instances in which prior consent is not required such as a health or safety emergency or in accordance with a&nbsp;lawful subpoena or court order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Note: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee student organizations seeking student information must&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/studentinvolvement\/\">contact the Student Involvement&nbsp;Office<\/a>&nbsp;to request student directory information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Under FERPA, you have the right to request a review and correction of your educational record.&nbsp; Educational records are not stored in a central location on campus. Requests to review your records must be made in writing and presented to the appropriate office. That office will have up to 45 days to honor your request. For most students these offices will include the Registrar\u2019s Office, the Department of Financial Aid, the Bursar\u2019s Office, school or college dean, major department, Dean of Students or Residence Halls.&nbsp;You may request to have you record corrected if you believe it to be inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of your privacy rights. To request a change, please contact your school\/college.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>UW-Milwaukee and all institutions of higher education are required to notify our enrolled students at least annually of their rights under FERPA. See the full&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/registrar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/671\/2025\/05\/FERPA-Annual-Notification.pdf\">annual disclosure<\/a>&nbsp;text.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"uwm-bg-white uwm-u-py-80\"><div class=\"uwm-l-container--base uwm-l-container--overflow-hidden\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading heading-separator\" id=\"h-what-are-considered-educational-records\">What are considered educational records?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Educational records are all the records maintained by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee about individual students, with seven exceptions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Personal notes of UWM faculty and staff<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Employment records<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Medical and counseling records used solely for treatment<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Campus Security records<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Financial records of a parent or spouse<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Confidential letters and statements of recommendation placed in your records before January 1, 1975<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Confidential letters and statements of recommendation for admission, employment or honorary recognition placed in your records after January 1, 1975, for which you have waived the right to inspect and review<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"uwm-bg-gray uwm-u-py-80\"><div class=\"uwm-l-container--base uwm-l-container--overflow-hidden\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading heading-separator\" id=\"h-what-is-considered-directory-information\">What is considered directory information?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, in accordance with FERPA, has designated the following categories of information about individual students as public, or directory information:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-l-row\">\n<div class=\"uwm-l-col\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Student\u2019s name, address (mailing, home, email)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Designation of school\/college and level in school<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Major field of study<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dates of attendance, including whether or not currently enrolled<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-l-col\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Campus<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enrollment status, including semester credit load and part\/full time status<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Degrees earned and dates of graduation (includes anticipated graduation dates)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Honors and awards received, including academic awards (receipt of a scholarship or fellowship, inclusion on the Dean\u2019s list, or receipt of other academic awards)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-l-col\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Participation in officially recognized activities and sports<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Height and weight of members of athletic teams<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Previous higher education institutions attended<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enrollment Delivery Mode<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In addition, UWM has designated date of birth as <strong>limited<\/strong> directory information; it may be used as detailed below:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Date of birth is only released to official agencies as required for matching student records (e.g., National Student Clearinghouse) or as a validation of positive identification of a student when furnished by a person making an inquiry.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"uwm-u-py-80\"><div class=\"uwm-l-container--base uwm-l-container--overflow-hidden\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading heading-separator\" id=\"h-what-is-considered-private-information\">What is considered private information?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Non-directory (private) information is any educational record&nbsp;<strong>not<\/strong>&nbsp;classified as directory information. Non-directory information in an education record that cannot be released to anyone, including parents, without prior written consent from the student.&nbsp; University staff may access this information only if they have a legitimate need to use it in fulfillment of official duties. The following categories of information are considered private, or protected, by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-l-row\">\n<div class=\"uwm-l-col\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Social Security Number<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Campus identification number<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Telephone Number<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Age\/year of birth<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Gender<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Religious affiliation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Residency status<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-l-col\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Citizenship<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Marital status<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Married name or previous name<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Parent\/guardian name(s) and address(es)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>High school units<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Transfer credits<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Courses completed<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-l-col\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Grades<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cumulative Credits, and grade points<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Grade point average and rank in class<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Current class schedule<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Advisor\u2019s name<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Academic actions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Current disciplinary actions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"uwm-bg-gray uwm-u-py-80\"><div class=\"uwm-l-container--narrow uwm-l-container--overflow-hidden\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading heading-separator\" id=\"h-ferpa-information-for-parents\">FERPA Information for Parents<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When your child was in elementary and high school, the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) gave you and your child rights to access and control your child\u2019s educational records. Now that your child is in college, these same laws transfer ownership of the records directly to your child(ren).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to FERPA, college students are considered responsible adults and are allowed to determine who will receive information about them. While parents understandably have an interest in a student\u2019s academic progress, they are not automatically granted access to a student\u2019s records without written consent of the student. Parents are encouraged to consult with the student if academic information is needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Students should NOT share their personal login\/password to give others access to their student record. Students may grant permission for a third party, including parents, to access their records by: providing PAWS access by establishing a designate account, and\/or filling out a FERPA Student Consent Form. Information about the difference and how to set up access is available on the <a href=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/registrar\/student-record\/sharing-protecting-your-information\/#h-granting-access-to-private-records\">Granting Access to Private Records page.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To better understand FERPA and how it applies to parents, you can access the recording of the <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/nzsWb7HsHbY\">FERPA 101 for Parents<\/a> session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"FERPA 101 for UW-Milwaukee Parents\" width=\"1400\" height=\"788\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/nzsWb7HsHbY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"uwm-bg-gray uwm-u-py-80\"><div class=\"uwm-l-container--base uwm-l-container--overflow-hidden\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading heading-separator\" id=\"h-ferpa-notification\">FERPA Notification<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Students will be notified of their FERPA rights each term by email.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>UWM complies with FERPA in its policies regarding student records. It is university policy to maintain all data confidential except that considered to be <a href=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/registrar\/student-record\/sharing-protecting-your-information\/#h-what-is-considered-directory-information\">directory information<\/a>.&nbsp; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Students have the right to <a href=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/registrar\/student-record\/sharing-protecting-your-information\/#h-restricting-access-to-public-records\">restrict the release of their directory information<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition, FERPA, affords students certain rights with respect to their education records.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to comply with the requirements of FERPA to:<\/strong><br><br>Student Privacy Policy Office<br>U.S. Department of Education<br>400 Maryland Ave. SW<br>Washington, DC&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The right to inspect and review the student&#8217;s education records with 45 days of the day the university receives a request for access.<\/strong><br><br>Students should submit a request in writing to the Registrar&#8217;s office to review records. For most students offices that hold educational records may include the Registrar\u2019s Office, the Department of Financial Aid, the Bursar\u2019s Office, school or college dean, major department, Dean of Students or Residence Halls. The Registrar&#8217;s office will help the student determine how to best request access to records that may not be help by the Registrar&#8217;s office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The right to request the amendment of anything in the student&#8217;s education records that the student believes is inaccurate or misleading.<\/strong><br><br>Students may <a href=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/registrar\/student-record\/sharing-protecting-your-information\/#h-uw-milwaukee-ferpa-hearing-procedure-student-records-appeal\">request a hearing<\/a> before a designated University official to contest information contained in the student\u2019s&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/onestop\/your-student-record\/sharing-and-protecting-your-information\/\">education record<\/a>(s) that the student believes is inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of the student\u2019s privacy rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The right to consent to disclosures of all personally identifiable information contained in the student&#8217;s education records, except directory information as stated above and other provisions of FERPA that authorized disclosure without consent.<\/strong><br><br>Disclosure of educational records to school officials with legitimate educational interests does not require student consent.&nbsp;A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.<br><br>Upon request, the university may disclose education records without consent to officials of another school in which a student is currently enrolled or seeks or intends to enroll.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"uwm-u-py-80\"><div class=\"uwm-l-container--base uwm-l-container--overflow-hidden\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading heading-separator\" id=\"h-uw-milwaukee-ferpa-hearing-procedure-student-records-appeal\">UW-Milwaukee FERPA hearing procedure &#8211; Student Records Appeal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), 20 U.S.C. \u00a7 1232g, current and former students are entitled to a hearing before a designated University official to contest information contained in the student\u2019s&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/onestop\/your-student-record\/sharing-and-protecting-your-information\/\">education record<\/a>(s) that the student believes is inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of the student\u2019s privacy rights. Through a FERPA hearing, a student may challenge the content of a record created by UW\u2013Milwaukee. This ability to challenge the content of a record does not supplant any of the other appeals processes already in place at UW\u2013Milwaukee, including, but not limited to, grade appeals, academic misconduct hearings, or nonacademic misconduct hearings. For example, a FERPA hearing can be used to assert that a grade was not properly recorded, but a FERPA hearing cannot be used to argue that a different grade should have been assigned based upon the quality of work. As a general matter, UW\u2013Milwaukee cannot change the content of records created by outside individuals or entities, even if UW\u2013Milwaukee possesses a copy of such records.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Prior to requesting a hearing, the student should try to resolve the matter informally with the University employee responsible for creating and\/or maintaining the record(s). If the matter is not resolved informally, the student may request a hearing pursuant to this policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The student shall submit a written request for a FERPA hearing to the UW\u2013Milwaukee University Registrar via e-mail at&nbsp;regoff@uwm.edu. The request for a hearing must include (a) copies of the contested record(s) or a description of the contested record(s) with enough specificity that they can be identified and located by the University Registrar; (b) a statement that the student has attempted to resolve the matter informally including the identity of the University official(s) with whom the student worked toward informal resolution, or an explanation as to why informal resolution was not appropriate; and (c) a statement explaining why the student believes the record(s) is inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of the student\u2019s privacy rights.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Within five (5) business days after receiving the written request for a hearing, the University Registrar will schedule a hearing, which shall take place as soon as reasonably practical. The University Registrar will notify the student and the University employee(s) responsible for creating and\/or maintaining the record(s) (the parties) of the date, time, and location of the hearing. As a general matter, two hours will be allotted for the hearing. If the student believes a longer hearing is necessary or other accommodations are necessary, the student should submit to the University Registrar for consideration a request for an extended hearing along with an explanation why a longer hearing is necessary or any other accommodation requests.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The University Registrar will act as the hearing examiner and be responsible for (1) maintaining order; (2) listening to and reviewing information presented by the parties; and (3) issuing a written decision. If the University Registrar has a direct interest in the outcome of the hearing, other significant conflict of interest, or is not available within a reasonable timeframe, then the Registrar shall appoint a member of the Registrar Office Leadership Team who will serve as the hearing examiner. The hearing examiner will convene the Student Records Appeals Committee and may request counsel from an attorney in the UW\u2013Milwaukee&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/legal\/\">Office of Legal Affairs.<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Each party must provide the hearing examiner with any documents the party wishes the hearing examiner to consider no later than ten (10) business days prior to the hearing date. No later than five (5) business days before the hearing, the hearing examiner will provide both parties with copies of all documents received, unless significant and legally authorized privacy reasons preclude sharing information with the student.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The hearing will be conducted in closed session, unless the student waives their privacy rights pursuant to FERPA&nbsp;<strong>and<\/strong>&nbsp;no information about any other student is contained in the education record(s) at issue. A request for an open hearing must be made no later than three (3) business days prior to the hearing date.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The hearing will be audio recorded. The recording shall be kept by the Registrar Office for the timeframe required by its document retention procedures.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>At the hearing, the student will provide information and rationale explaining why the student believes the record(s) is inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of the student\u2019s privacy rights. The University employee(s) responsible for creating and\/or maintaining the record will present information and rationale explaining why the employee believes the record(s) is correct and\/or that the student\u2019s privacy rights were not violated.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The parties may present witnesses at the hearing. Each party is responsible for arranging for the attendance of their own witnesses. Witnesses who are not parties will only be permitted to be present while testifying. Both parties and the hearing examiner may question witnesses. Questioning will be informal. The formal rules of evidence do not apply to a FERPA hearing. The hearing examiner may consider any relevant information and may exclude irrelevant or duplicative information.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The student may be accompanied at the hearing by a support person (including an attorney at the student\u2019s own expense). The support person is limited to advising the student and may not speak on the student\u2019s behalf or question witnesses.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>After the hearing, the hearing examiner will deliberate in closed session and issue a written decision to the parties. The decision will be based solely upon information presented at the hearing and applicable law. Generally, the written decision will be issued within ten (10) business days. This timeframe may be longer if the circumstances warrant (e.g., exceptionally complicated matter).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If the hearing examiner decides that the education record(s) was inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of the student\u2019s privacy rights, then the University Registrar shall provide instructions for remedying the matter. If the hearing examiner decides that the record(s) was accurate and\/or the student\u2019s privacy rights were not violated, then the student has the right to provide a statement to accompany the contested record(s) stating the student\u2019s disagreement.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If the student provides a statement to accompany the contested record(s), UW\u2013Milwaukee will maintain that statement along with the record for as long as it maintains the record. If UW\u2013Milwaukee discloses the record or portion of the record to which the statement relates, it will also disclose the student\u2019s statement.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The hearing examiner\u2019s decision shall be final.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"uwm-bg-white uwm-u-py-80\"><div class=\"uwm-l-container--narrow uwm-l-container--overflow-hidden\">\n<div class=\"uwm-p-notice uwm-p-notice--urgent\"><i class=\"fa-solid fa-circle-exclamation fa-fw\"><\/i><div class=\"uwm-p-notice--message\">UWM does its part to keep your information safe. Under FERPA, the Family Educational Rights and Privileges Act, you have options for sharing or withholding your information.<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"uwm-u-py-80\"><div class=\"uwm-l-container--base uwm-l-container--overflow-hidden\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading heading-separator\" id=\"h-granting-access-to-private-records\">Granting Access to Private Records<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a><\/a><br>Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), college students are allowed to determine whether third parties (parents, employers, etc.) may access protected information&nbsp;about them. &nbsp;UWM provides two primary ways for students to provide third parties with access to their information: PAWS Designate Access, and Student Consent Release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-paws-designate-access\">PAWS Designate Access<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Students have the ability to grant access to his\/her record within PAWS by creating a Designate Access account. The account allows access to To Do Lists, Financials (including making payments and viewing Financial Aid), and Grades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-creating-a-designate-account\">Creating a Designate Account<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Under Personal Information, click \u201cStudent Information Release\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click \u201cDesignate Access\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Read privacy information and click \u201cI agree to these conditions.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click \u201cCreate Account.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enter a name in \u201cThis Account Is For.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Create a password.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Choose what information this new account may access by selecting \u201cGive Access\u201d or \u201cDeny Access\u201d in the drop-down menu for all items. Click \u201cSave.\u201d\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A message will appear confirming that the account has been set up.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>To add another account, click \u201cCreate Account\u201d and follow the same process.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you have created an additional account, two e-mails will be sent to your UWM email account with the account ID and password. It is your responsibility to pass on this information to the account holder. You will receive two new e-mails each time an account is created or updated. Each student may have a maximum of three additional accounts at any time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-information-provided-to-designate-accounts\">Information Provided to Designate Accounts<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>When you create a designate account, you have the ability to choose what information the account holder can view. Access may be granted as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>To Do Lists<\/strong>&nbsp;(provides items that applicants or students need to complete for a specific department on campus. For example, submitting a high school transcript to Admissions.)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>View Financials<\/strong>&nbsp;(includes viewing billing information and Financial Aid. &nbsp;See bill payment options at&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/onestop\/finances\/billing-and-payment\/#a4\">My Bill &amp; University Finances<\/a>.)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>View Grades<\/strong>\u00a0(includes viewing final posted grades for current as well as previous semesters at UWM.)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Note<\/strong>: This access does not give anyone permission to call the University and ask questions regarding your account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-who-to-give-access-to\">Who to Give Access To<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether or not you give access to others is entirely up to you and is not recommended or required by UWM. If you do grant access, do so carefully and only for important reasons. Regardless, you should only give access to people you trust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-deleting-a-designate-access-account\">Deleting a Designate Access Account<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Once an account is created, it can\u2019t be deleted. However, access can be denied or the password can be changed, thereby preventing that account from accessing your information in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Under Personal Information, click \u201cGrant Access to Others.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>View your current accounts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Select the account you would like to remove.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You may either deny access to all areas for the account or change the password for the individual (see \u201cHow can I replace one of my old accounts with a new account?\u201d)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click \u201cSave.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-replacing-an-old-designate-account\">Replacing an Old Designate Account<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Under Personal Information, click \u201cGrant Access to Others.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>View your current accounts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Select the account you would like to replace.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click \u201cReset Password.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enter a new name in the \u201cThis Account Is For.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Create a new password.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Confirm the new password.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Choose what areas this new account may access.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click \u201cSave.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong>&nbsp;Account access is not reset by the University. Created accounts will be active for as long as the student\u2019s PAWS account is active. Students are responsible for all updates to logins and passwords for each account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-student-consent-release\">Student Consent Release<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Students have the ability to allow third parties to request information from campus representatives about academic records (including grades and enrollment), financial information, academic and non-academic misconduct, university housing, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are two ways to allow third parties to request information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Submit the release online through your PAWS account (easiest and fastest option).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fill out and submit the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/registrar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/671\/2025\/05\/FERPA_WITHHOLD_RELEASE_INFORMATION_FORM.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">STUDENT CONSENT FOR RELEASE OF EDUCATION RECORDS INFORMATION FORM.<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-granting-access-through-paws\">Granting Access Through PAWS<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Under Personal Information, click \u201cStudent Information Release\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click \u201cStudent Consent Release\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Complete the Electronic Signature Consent (this is a one-time process, and won\u2019t need to be completed again)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If a previous release has been entered, click the \u201cAdd a New Release\u201d link to add an additional release.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enter the following information in \u201cDuration of Release\u201d:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Effective Date (defaults to current date)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Expiration Date\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Enter the date you no longer want the information to be made available<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Leave blank for an undefined amount of time.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You may return at a later time and expire the release.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enter the following information in \u201cPerson to whom access to education records may be provided\u201d:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Company\/Name\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If releasing information to a company, enter company name here.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If releasing information to a person, enter person\u2019s name here.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>First\/Last Name\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If releasing information to a company, enter person\u2019s name at company here, if known.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enter address, phone number, and email, if known.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enter the relationship to you in the Relationship to Student drop-down.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Select the Information to be released from Academic Information, Financial Information, and\/or Other Information<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Select an option from \u201cPurpose of Release.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click Save.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-information-provided-from-student-consent-release\">Information Provided From Student Consent Release<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>When you submit a Student Consent Release, you have the ability to choose what information the requester can access. Information that may be release follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Academic Information, including grades and GPA, class schedule, enrollment status, or other information you chose.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Financial Information, including student billing and accounts, financial aid, housing account status, housing account activity report, meal plan report, or other information you chose.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Other information, including academic or non-academic misconduct, housing contract probation, housing contract termination, housing resident status, or other information you chose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-who-to-give-access-to-0\">Who to Give Access To<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether or not you release information to others is entirely up to you and is not recommended or required by UWM. If you do release information, do so carefully and only for important reasons. Regardless, you should only release information to people you trust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-expiring-a-student-consent-release\">Expiring a Student Consent Release<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Under Personal Information, click \u201cStudent Information Release\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click \u201cStudent Consent Release\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The release will open, or if you have more than one release, find the release you want to expire by clicking the arrows on the top right hand corner.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enter a date in the Expiration Date box.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click Save.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong>&nbsp;If information needs to be released to the same party and the previous release is expired, a new release will need to be submitted by clicking Add a New Release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/registrar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/671\/2025\/05\/Student-Information-Release-and-the-Family-Right-and-Privacy-Act.docx.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Student Information Release and the Family Right and Privacy Act.docx<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"uwm-bg-gray uwm-u-py-80\"><div class=\"uwm-l-container--base uwm-l-container--overflow-hidden\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading heading-separator\" id=\"h-restricting-access-to-public-records\">Restricting Access to Public Records<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There are two primary ways to restrict access to your public records:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-directory-restriction\">Directory Restriction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>UWM publishes an&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/directory\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">online directory<\/a>&nbsp;of students, faculty, staff, departments and campus locations. By default, the directory includes your name, address, phone, UWM Email Address, year in school and school\/college. In addition, UWM&nbsp;releases directory information of currently&nbsp;enrolled students in accordance with the Wisconsin Public Records Law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You have the ability to withhold your information from being published in the directory and released through public records requests using the following steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Log in to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/paws\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">PAWS<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Under the yellow&nbsp;<em>Personal Information<\/em>&nbsp;header, click on the blue&nbsp;<strong>Change Contact Restriction<\/strong>&nbsp;button<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click the&nbsp;<strong>Yes&nbsp;<\/strong>button to make your contact information private, then click&nbsp;<strong>Save<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-ferpa-block\">FERPA Block<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Under FERPA, you have the right to restrict the release of ALL information about yourself, known as a FERPA block.&nbsp;<strong>Think carefully before electing a FERPA Block.<\/strong>&nbsp;If you choose to withhold all directory information from being released, your name will not appear in honor listings or commencement programs, and UWM can\u2019t verify your enrollment or confirm your degree to prospective employers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To put a FERPA block on your records, you have to complete and submit this&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/registrar\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/671\/2025\/07\/FERPA_WITHHOLD_RELEASE_INFORMATION_FORM.pdf\">form<\/a>&nbsp;to the UWM Registrar\u2019s Office.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":40,"featured_media":0,"parent":98,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"templates\/full-width.php","meta":{"footnotes":"","uwm_wg_additional_authors":[313]},"class_list":["post-323","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Registrar&#039;s Office<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn how UWM protects your student information and discover secure ways to share records and personal data.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/registrar\/student-record\/sharing-protecting-your-information\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Sharing &amp; 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