Directory Information

What is Directory or Public Information?

FERPA allows institutions to identify certain types information called 'directory information' that may be disclosed without student consent.

USD has designated the following information as directory information and will release this information upon request, unless the student has submitted a Request to Restrict Directory Information form to the appropriate Registrar:

  • student's name
  • USD e-mail address
  • major field of study
  • dates of attendance
  • participation in officially recognized activities and sports
  • degrees, honors, and awards received
  • photograph

Restricting Release of Directory Information

According to FERPA, a student can request that the institution not release any directory information about him/her. Institutions must comply with this request, once received, if the student is still enrolled.

At USD, students who wish to restrict the release of all directory information about themselves must complete a Request To Restrict Directory Information form.

Students who wish to restrict directory information should understand that their names will not appear in any university publications, with exception of the Commencement program at the appropriate time. Also, employers, credit card companies, scholarship committees and the like will be denied any of the student's directory information and will be informed that we have no information available about the student's attendance at USD. Students cannot use the 'opt out' provisions of FERPA to prevent disclosure of name, institutional e-mail address, or other identifier in classes in which they are enrolled.

For students who have a confidential indicator but have also designated an authorized user(s), USD may disclose information to the authorized user for the areas indicated on the student’s FERPA release. The student is responsible for removing the authorized user(s) from the FERPA release if they no longer wish for the user to obtain information about them.