The federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) generally prohibits institutions of higher education from releasing educational records on current and former students. However, certain pieces of information contained in the educational record are considered "directory information" and may be released to third parties unless the student has specifically requested nondisclosure. Directory information includes the following, as defined by the University of Alabama at Birmingham:

• Name
• Address (local and permanent)
• BlazerID
• University e-mail address
• CampusCard photo
• Date of birth
• Major field of study
• Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
• Weight and height of members of intercollegiate athletic teams
• Dates of attendance (enrollment verification)
• Degrees and awards received
• Institution most recently previously attended
• Photographs, video recordings, audio recordings and other media containing a student’s image or likeness when those photographs, video recordings, audio recordings and other media have been taken
  1. at a university event that is open to the general public (e.g. athletic game or competition, homecoming parade, commencement);
  2. at a university event sponsored for students, faculty, staff or community members (e.g. welcome ceremony for a school or department, student life event, resident hall event, concert or similar student experience programing);
  3. at an event sponsored by a student organization recognized by the university (e.g. student club activity or event);
  4. during an academic activity (e.g. class, lab, internship); or (e) in the University Relations photography studio (e.g. “head shot”, press release photo or university publication photo).

UAB considers on a case-by-case basis requests from third parties not listed as an exception within the UAB Student Records Policy. UAB retains the right to refuse any third-party request for student directory information in its sole discretion. Such requests are reviewed based upon the purpose of the request and whether that purpose is consistent with UAB's educational mission and in the interests of both students and the institution. In order for a third party request to obtain directory information for a UAB student(s) to be considered, the requestor must provide a signed, written request which includes the following information:

1. A detailed statement about the entity requesting student data (e.g., the nature of the work conducted by the entity);
2. A detailed statement about the type of data requested (e.g., all currently enrolled students, students who graduated the preceding term, students expected to graduate in the current or upcoming term, undergraduates only).
   NOTE: Student data will be provided for only a single term. Data from multiple terms cannot be provided.
3. A detailed statement about the purpose of the request (e.g., how the data will be used, including whether or not business solicitation is involved; the specific date the information will be used; what medium will be used if students are to be contacted);
4. A statement of agreement that the data provided by UAB will be used once, only for the purpose stated;
5. A statement that the data provided by UAB will be used within fourteen (14) days of receipt and destroyed within seven (7) calendar days after use, and in a manner that completely protects the confidentiality of the student information;
6. A statement that the data provided by UAB will not be shared with others, sold to another party, stored in any media, or otherwise re-used;
7. A statement acknowledging that failure to comply with the request not to release information, except for the sole purpose stated above, will result in cancellation of this agreement and that the requestor will not be eligible to receive any student information from UAB for a period of not less than five years;
8. A statement that the requestor agrees to indemnify and hold UAB harmless for any loss, cost, damage or expense suffered by UAB as a direct result of the requestor's failure to comply with the requirements not to release information, except for the sole purpose stated above;
9. A statement that the requestor will bear all costs associated with the information request (see below for fee details);
10. A statement specifying which of the two formats described below is preferred for the receipt of the information requested and how the information should be formatted;
11. A statement acknowledging that the request may take up to 45 days, based upon UAB's current information environment, including workload of those involved with information retrieval/distribution;
12. Contact information, including name, postal mailing address (no P.O. Box), telephone number, fax number, and e-mail address.

Fees for Student Records

Fees for student records vary depending upon the size/scope of the request and the format in which the data are provided to the requestor. There is a search fee, a format fee, and a delivery fee assessed for each request.
Payment in the form of a cashier's check must be enclosed with the request.

• Search fee: $300 for current-term data; additional $25 for data from previous term
• Format fee: Hard copy: $1 per page for first 50 pages; $.75 per page for each additional page
• Digital copy (disc): $10

Shipping fee: $25. Order will be shipped overnight via UPS.
NOTE: Student data will not be transmitted via e-mail.

Student Records requests may be mailed or faxed.

Address:
Office of the Registrar
University of Alabama at Birmingham
1605 Building
1605 11th Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35294-4300

Fax:
(205) 975-3700