Office of the VP for Enrollment Management & Planning

Registered and Trustee Student Organizations, Policy on

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Title: Policy on Registered and Trustee Student Organizations
Policy Owner: Division of Student Life & Enrollment
Applies to: All University Workforce Members, Students, Guests and other Third Parties that engage with student organizations
Campus Applicability: All UConn Campuses
Approval Date: March 4, 2026
Effective Date: March 9, 2026
For More Information, Contact: Associate Vice President for Student Life
Contact Information: solid@uconn.edu or studentactivities@uconn.edu
Official Website: https://studentlife.uconn.edu/ 

BACKGROUND

The University of Connecticut recognizes the longstanding role of student organizations in fostering student engagement, leadership development, and community building across all campuses. Student organizations operate in a variety of forms, funding structures, and engage regularly with University resources, employees, and third parties.

This policy formalizes the University’s definitions, oversight, and relationship with Registered Student Organizations and Trustee Student Organizations.

PURPOSE

To establish a clear and consistent framework as it relates to the University’s working relationship with student organizations across its campuses.

APPLIES TO

All students, workforce members, and third parties that engage with student organizations.

DEFINITIONS

Registered Student Organization (RSO): A student-run entity voluntarily formed by University of Connecticut students, with a common interest, for a lawful purpose, and registered with their respective campus-based Student Activities office.

Trustee Student Organization (TSO): A Registered Student Organization formally recognized by the University’s Board of Trustees and separately funded through student-fees in accordance with Connecticut General Statutes.  TSOs are student-governed and student-managed with operational and editorial autonomy (where applicable).

Advisor: A full-time University employee, including faculty and staff, or a graduate assistant where permitted, who is officially designated through the student organization registration process or assigned as part of their University role to provide guidance and support to a RSO or TSO.

The following individuals are not eligible to serve as an Advisor for UConn Campuses:

  • Part-time employees
  • Special payroll employees
  • Student employees (except approved graduate students holding an assistantship)
  • Volunteers, alumni, contractors, or external affiliates

Only external affiliates may serve as Advisors for RSO’s at UConn Health as may be permitted by UConn Health’s specific policies or processes.

POLICY STATEMENT

Formation and Registration

The University recognizes the right of students to form voluntary organizations for any lawful purpose. Student organizations that wish to receive access to University resources and services must register with their campus-based Student Activities office. To register, a student organization must meet all minimum requirements established by the University’s Blueprints manual and, when applicable, their campus-based Student Activities office.

RSOs shall be designated into a Tier-system in accordance with University guidance and oversight from the Division of Student Life & Enrollment. TSOs shall be established in accordance with the Student Service and Activity Fee Advisory Committee (SASFAC) process.

University Oversight and Organizational Autonomy

RSOs at the University are independent entities. The University assumes no responsibility for an RSO’s decisions, operations, contracts, events, or activities, nor does it provide insurance coverage or liability protection. The actions, viewpoints, publications, invited speakers, or initiatives of RSOs are solely the responsibility of the organization and their members.

The University’s role is not to approve or disapprove of such views, but rather to uphold its educational obligation to support free expression and open discussion consistent with the constitutional rights of students and the regulations of the University.

The University does not regulate RSO’s use of independent and non-university funds raised or collected. RSOs may independently enter into contracts or agreements with external parties using these independent funds. The University does not review, approve, or assume responsibility for such agreements unless explicitly stated in University policy otherwise.

A TSO receives financial oversight and administrative support from the University. However, a TSO retains control over their internal governance, operations, and student-led initiatives, except where University intervention is required to ensure compliance with law or policy.

Advisors serve in a supportive role while TSOs and RSOs retain full authority over their organization’s actions and decisions. Advisors do not bear responsibility for the actions or conduct of organization members when fulfilling their role appropriately and in good faith.

All students remain subject to the Student Code, and thus, a TSO or RSO may be referred to the University’s Student Organization Conduct process when their activities violate University policies.

ENFORCEMENT

Violations of this policy and any related procedures may result in appropriate disciplinary measures in accordance with University By-Laws, General Rules of Conduct for All University Employees, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and the University of Connecticut Student Code. If violated, individuals and/or Organizations may be personally liable.

PROCEDURES/FORMS

Blueprints Manual
Trustee Student Organization Manual

REFERENCES

Connecticut General Statute § 4-52 – 57a.
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 4-165
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 5-141d
The Student Code
Student Service and Activity Fee Advisory Committee (SASFAC) Guidelines for Student Activity Fee Creation, Elimination, and Change (2025)

POLICY HISTORY

Policy created: March 4, 2026 (Approved by the Senior Policy Council and President)

Revisions:

Recruitment of Students, Policy On

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Title:  Recruitment of Students, Policy On 
Policy Owner: The Division of Enrollment Planning & Management 
Applies to: University Employees, Volunteers, Trainees and Others 
Campus Applicability: All Campuses 
Effective Date: August 23, 2021
For More Information, Contact Office of the Vice President for Enrollment Planning & Management 
Contact Information: (860) 486-1463 
Official Website: https://epm.uconn.edu/

PURPOSE

To ensure compliance with federal laws and regulations regarding ethical recruitment and enrollment activities conducted at the University. Specifically, Section 487(a)(20) of the Higher Education Act (HEA) and its implementing regulations at 34 C.F.R. 668.14, as well as the University’s Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Defense.

APPLIES TO

Employees, volunteers, trainees, and other persons whose conduct, in the performance of work for UConn, is under the direct control of UConn, whether or not they are paid by UConn. 

DEFINITIONS

Commission, Bonus, Incentives means a sum of money or something of value, other than a fixed salary or wages, paid to or given to a person or an entity for services rendered.  

Securing enrollments or the award of financial aid means activities that a person or entity engages in at any point in time through completion of an educational program for the purpose of the admission or matriculation of students for any period of time or the award of financial aid to students.

These activities include contact in any form with a prospective student, such as, but not limited to – contact through preadmission or advising activities, scheduling an appointment to visit the enrollment office or any other office of the institution, attendance at such an appointment, or involvement in a prospective student’s signing of an enrollment agreement or financial aid application.

These activities do not include making a payment to a third party for the provision of student contact information for prospective students provided that such payment is not based on: (1) any additional conduct or action by the third party or the prospective students, such as participation in preadmission or advising activities, scheduling an appointment to visit the enrollment office or any other office of the institution or attendance at such an appointment, or the signing, or being involved in the signing, of a prospective student’s enrollment agreement or financial aid application; or (2) the number of students (calculated at any point in time of an educational program) who apply for enrollment, are awarded financial aid, or are enrolled for any period of time, including through completion of an educational program. 

“Entity or person engaged in any student recruitment or admission activity or in making decisions about the award of financial aid” means (1) with respect to an entity engaged in any student recruitment or admission activity or in making decisions about the award of financial aid, any institution or organization that undertakes the recruiting or the admitting of students or that makes decisions about and awards Title IV, HEA program funds; and (2) with respect to a person engaged in any student recruitment or admission activity or in making decisions about the award of financial aid, any employee who undertakes recruiting or admitting of students or who makes decisions about and awards Title IV, HEA program funds, and any higher level employee with responsibility for recruitment or admission of students, or making decisions about awarding Title IV, HEA program funds. 

Enrollment means the admission or matriculation of a student into an eligible institution. 

Inducement means any gratuity, favor, discount, entertainment, hospitality, loan, transportation, lodging, meals, or other item have a monetary value or more than a de minimis amount to any individual, entity, or its agents including third party lead generators or marketing forms. 

Service Member means a current or former member of the uniformed services which includes (a) the armed forces; (b) the commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric; and (c) the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service. 

POLICY STATEMENT

The University of Connecticut prohibits the award of any commission, bonus or other incentive payment based in any part, directly or indirectly, upon success in securing enrollments or the awarding of financial aid, to any person or entity who is engaged in any student recruitment, admission activities, or making decisions regarding the awarding of financial assistance.   In accordance with the HEA, this restriction does not apply to the recruitment of foreign students residing in foreign countries who are not eligible to receive Federal student assistance. 

In addition, in accordance with the Department of Defense Memorandum of Understanding, the University will refrain from high-pressure recruitment tactics aimed at Service Members, which includes making multiple unsolicited contacts (3 or more) including contacts by phone, email, or in-person, and engaging in same-day recruitment and registration for the purpose of securing Service Member enrollments. 

ENFORCEMENT
Violations of this policy or associated procedures may result in appropriate disciplinary measures in accordance with University By-Laws, General Rules of Conduct for All University Employees, and applicable collective bargaining agreements.

PROCEDURES/FORMS
Contact the Division of Enrollment Planning and Management with questions.  

POLICY HISTORY

Policy created effective: August 23, 2021 [Approved by President’s Senior Team]

Revisions:  November 11, 2021 [Approved by the President]

 

Assignment of Instructional Space

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ASSIGNMENT OF INSTRUCTIONAL SPACE

The University of Connecticut values excellence in teaching and learning. Fulfillment of this mission requires appropriate instructional facilities. Instructional facilities include all seminar rooms, classrooms, lecture halls, auditoria, and similar spaces primarily dedicated to the execution of the University’s formal instructional activities. Efficient use of these facilities plays a crucial role in providing our growing number of students with the classes they need to graduate on time.

PURPOSE

The By-Laws of the University of Connecticut authorize the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs to “direct the assignment of all plant facilities, including buildings, offices, classrooms, laboratories, equipment, and land, and establish uniform rules pertaining to their proper use for all areas under his/her jurisdiction” (VII.B.2.q). This procedure represents the Provost’s formal delegation of authority to assign instructional space, excluding laboratories, on the Storrs campus and establish uniform rules to their assignment and use on all campuses, excluding UConn Health, to the Office of the Registrar. The appropriate School or College has the authority to assign laboratory space under its jurisdiction, and regional campus directors have the authority to assign all instructional space on their campus. The Provost retains the authority to direct the assignment of instructional facilities, and may modify this procedure at any time.

This document articulates the criteria and procedures by which instructional facilities (hereafter “classrooms”) are assigned. The procedure will be reviewed at 3-year intervals at minimum or as deemed appropriate by the Office of the Registrar, the Office of the Provost, and the Classroom Management Committee.

This procedure applies to all campuses except UConn Health.

ASSIGNMENT CRITERIA

Each semester, the Registrar considers the full range of needs for classrooms and accounts for the numbers, sizes, and types of classes, as well as requirements for instructional technology and other special equipment and materials. The Registrar determines how to meet these needs as closely as possible across the entire University to achieve appropriate room use and seat occupancy.

Once the needs of all classes university-wide are met, the Registrar’s Office will make its best effort to accommodate the preferences of academic departments and individual faculty members.

To the greatest extent possible, the Registrar will give academic departments priority for classrooms located in or near their buildings or that have configurations that are especially well-suited to their needs.

SCHEDULE

Classes at all campuses, except UConn Health, will conform to a standard schedule, as follows.

 

50 minutes – M W F 75 minutes – T/Th
8:00 – 8:50 AM 8:00 – 9:15 AM
9:05 – 9:55 AM 9:30 – 10:45 AM
10:10 – 11:00 AM 11:00 – 12:15 PM
11:15 – 12:05 PM 12:30 – 1:45 PM
12:20 – 1:10 PM 2:00 – 3:15 PM
1:25 – 2:15 PM 3:30 – 4:45 PM
2:30 – 3:20 PM
3:35 – 4:25 PM
4:40 – 5:30 PM

 

The Registrar will make use of the full business week (Monday – Friday) and the full day (8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.) to best accommodate scheduling needs university-wide. If needs dictate, classes may be scheduled on Saturday and Sunday. Classrooms are closed and unavailable for use between the hours of 11:00 p.m. – 6:00 a.m. to facilitate security, maintenance, and cleaning, unless an exception is granted by the Registrar’s Office or the regional campus director.

The Registrar will endeavor to accommodate the preferences of academic departments and individual faculty members with respect to the times their classes are scheduled; however, accommodations may not be possible. In such cases, the Registrar will work with the appropriate department head to negotiate a time and location. Ultimately, the Registrar will make a determination about when and where classrooms may be scheduled.

Classes that begin after 5:30 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, or after 4:45 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, or anytime on Saturdays and Sundays may deviate from the standard schedule.

On rare occasions, classes with extenuating circumstances may deviate from the standard schedule with the permission of the Registrar and if applicable, regional campus director and with the concurrence of the Provost.

Instructors must conduct their classes at the scheduled time(s) and in the assigned location(s) to avoid disruption to students. In cases where an altered time or location may be warranted, the faculty member must first consult with the Registrar and then is responsible for notification of all students.

In cases where the instructor determines that the appropriate form of assessment should take place during finals week, the instructors must hold their exams at the time and location scheduled by the Registrar. [Please refer to section II.E.10, Examinations and Assessments, in the By-Laws, Rules, and Regulations of the University Senate.]

PROCEDURES

The Registrar solicits information about proposed course offerings and instructional needs, including departmental requests for the timing and location of classes, before each semester. The Registrar publishes this schedule prior to the start of pre-registration for the upcoming semester.

After the needs of regularly scheduled classes are met, the Registrar will make classrooms available to accommodate other activities and events. Other instructional uses (e.g., review and help sessions, seminars, etc.) will take priority over non-instructional uses, such as meetings or events. Units can contact the Registrar’s Office or the regional campus director with these requests.

All classroom scheduling will be managed through the room scheduling software system. All academic units can access this system to see when and where classes are scheduled and what rooms may be available. The audiovisual equipment in the classrooms is for scheduled use only, and a reservation is required. The location and capacity of classrooms for the Storrs campus is available and reservations can be made at http://classrooms.uconn.edu. Reservations for a classroom at a regional campus can be made by contacting the campus director.

Classroom maintenance is the joint responsibility of University Information Technology Services (UITS) for instructional technology and Facilities Operations and Building Services for problems with the physical plant and furniture. The Registrar will assess the need for repairs and communicate to these organizations. Faculty who observe problems in classrooms should report them to the Registrar through their department head, dean, or campus director.

In collaboration with Planning Architectural and Engineering Services, the Center for Students with Disabilities strives to create a comprehensively accessible environment where students with disabilities have full access to programs, activities, and services. Detailed information about access for buildings on the Storrs campus is available at: https://accessibility.uconn.edu/campus-access/. Departments or individuals that have concerns about access should contact the Center for Students with Disabilities, and they will collaborate with the Registrar or the regional campus director to assure appropriate accommodations are available.

CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The Registrar is guided by a Classroom Management Committee, an advisory group established by the Provost to oversee instructional facilities at all campuses of the University of Connecticut, except UConn Health. Requests for any classroom renovation, either physical or technical, must be made through the Registrar’s office and vetted and approved by the Classroom Management Committee.  Membership of the committee includes representatives from the faculty, UITS, Office of Campus Planning, Planning Architectural and Engineering Services, Office of the Registrar, Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, Facilities Operations and Building Services, Center for Students with Disabilities, and the Fire Marshal.

Procedure History

Effective Date: August 2017

 

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

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Title: Satisfactory Academic Progress
Policy Owner: Office of Student Financial Aid Services
Applies to: Students
Campus Applicability: Storrs and Regional Campuses
Approval Date: August 8, 2025
Effective Date: August 8, 2025
For More Information, Contact: Office of Student Financial Aid Services
Contact Information: 860-486-1111
Official Website: https://financialaid.uconn.edu/sap/

PURPOSE

To ensure continued eligibility for federal, state, and institutional financial aid, the University of Connecticut must assess whether students are making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) toward the completion of their degree programs. This standard, required by federal regulation, is designed to promote academic success and timely degree completion.

APPLIES TO

This policy applies to all enrolled students at the Storrs and Regional Campuses.

DEFINITIONS

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP): A set of academic standards students must meet to maintain eligibility for federal, state, and institutional financial aid. SAP is defined by three core standards:

  • A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA)
  • Successful completion of a required percentage of attempted credits (pace of progression)
  • Completion of the academic program within a maximum timeframe

POLICY STATEMENT

To remain eligible for federal, state, and institutional financial aid, students at the University of Connecticut are required to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) toward the completion of their degree or certificate program. Students who are found to be in violation of the parameters are ineligible to receive most forms of financial aid.

ENFORCEMENT

Violations of this policy and any related procedures may result in appropriate disciplinary measures in accordance with University By-Laws, General Rules of Conduct for All University Employees, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and the University of Connecticut Student Code.

PROCEDURES

Details on SAP requirements, review cycles, appeal procedures, and reinstatement of aid eligibility can be found at: https://financialaid.uconn.edu/sap/

POLICY HISTORY

Policy created: 07/01/2011 (Approved by President’s Cabinet)

Revisions: 08/08/2025 (Approved by the Senior Policy Council and President)

Reporting Name and Address Changes

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Title: Reporting Name and Address Changes
Policy Owner: Registrar’s Office
Applies to: Students
Campus Applicability:  Storrs and Regional Campuses
Effective Date:  November 1, 2002
For More Information, Contact Office of the Registrar
Contact Information:  (860) 486-3331
Official Website: http://registrar.uconn.edu/

Undergraduate students must report any change of name and commuting or permanent address at the time such change occurs to the Office of the Registrar. Name changes require official documentation. Changes made by the Registrar’s staff will update the information that appears on the University websites Directory of students’ names and addresses.

Please contact the Registrar’s Office at 486-3331 with any questions.

Financial Aid Code of Conduct

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Title: Financial Aid Code of Conduct
Policy Owner: Board of Trustees
Applies to: Faculty, Staff, Others
Campus Applicability: All Campuses
Effective Date: January 22, 2008
For More Information, Contact Director, Financial Aid Office
Contact Information: (860) 486-2470
Official Website: http://financialaid.uconn.edu/

 

  1. Definitions
    1. “Lending Institution” or “Lender” shall mean (i) any entity that itself, or through an affiliate, engages in the business of making loans to students, parents or others for purposes of financing higher education expenses or that securitizes such loans, or (ii) any entity, or association of entities, that guarantees education loans. “Lending institution” or “Lender” shall not include the University or the state or federal government.
    2. “University” shall mean the university, college, professional trade school or other entity providing post-secondary education that adopts this Code of Conduct.
    3. “Opportunity Loans” shall mean loans to international students or other students who, because they have poor or no credit history, do not have access to student loans on reasonable terms.
    4. “Compensation” shall mean anything of value including, but not limited to, money, credits, loans, discounts, payments, fees, forgiveness of principal or interest, reimbursement of expenses, charitable contributions, stock options, consulting fees, educational grants, vacations, prizes, gifts or other items of value, whether given directly or indirectly.
    5. “Trade Association” shall mean any higher education, financial aid, lending or banking trade, industry or professional association that receives Compensation within the preceding 12-month period from any Lending Institution or Lender.  The Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges shall not be deemed to be a “trade association” solely by virtue of its contract to administer the Connecticut Higher Supplemental Loan Authority (“CHESLA”).
    6. “Outside Director” shall mean a member of a Lender’s Board of Directors or Board of Trustees who receives Compensation from such Lender in connection with his or her service on the Board of Directors or Board of Trustees and who receives no other compensation from the Lender as an officer, employee, or agent of the Lender or otherwise.
    7. “Agent” shall mean a person acting as a representative of and at the direction of or under the control of a University where such person’s responsibilities with respect to the University relate primarily to the University’s activities involving financial aid or the business of higher education loans.
  2. Code of Conduct
    1. Prohibition of Certain Compensation to University Employees
      1. No University trustee, director, officer, or Agent, or any employee who is employed in the financial aid office of the University or who otherwise has responsibilities with respect to higher educational loans or other financial aid at his or her University, and no spouse or dependent children of any such persons (“Family Member”), shall accept any Compensation of more than nominal value (not to exceed the gift  limits established in the State Code of Ethics), directly or indirectly, during any 12-month period from or on behalf of a Lending Institution or Trade Association, except that this provision shall not be construed to prohibit any officer, trustee, director, Agent or employee of the University, or any of their Family Members, from receiving Compensation for the conduct of non-University business with any Lending Institution or Trade Association or from accepting Compensation that is offered to the general public, if such Compensation is permitted pursuant to the State Code of Ethics.
      2. Notwithstanding the prohibitions in subsection II.A.1 or any other provision of this Code of Conduct: (a) The University may hold membership in any nonprofit professional association; (b) A University trustee, director, officer, or employee who does not have responsibilities with respect to higher educational loans or financial aid, may serve as an Outside Director of a Lending Institution or Trade Association and receive Compensation at the Lending Institution’s or Trade Association’s established compensation rates for Outside Directors, provided that any University trustee, director, officer or employee serving on the board of the Lending Institution or Trade Association is precluded from participating in such board’s discussions or decisions that might affect the interests of the University, and provided further that such University trustee, director, officer or employee complies with the University’s conflict of interest policy, and receives annual written notice of the requirements of both this Code of Conduct and the University’s conflict of interest policy.  Further, notwithstanding the prohibitions in subsection II.A.1, a trustee, director, officer or employee of a Lending Institution or Trade Association who does not have responsibilities with respect to higher education loans or financial aid shall not be prevented from serving on the Board of Directors of a University solely by virtue of his or her position with the Lending Institution or Trade Association, provided that any such person serving on the board of the University is precluded from participating in such board’s discussions or decisions that might affect the interests of such Lender or Trade Association or that relate to financial aid or higher education loans.
      3. Nothing in this Code of Conduct shall be construed to conflict with the requirements of Connecticut General Statutes ?10a-201 et seq., including without limitation ?10a-203(a), and ?10a-221 et seq.
      4. The prohibitions set forth in this subsection II.A shall include, but not be limited to, a ban on any payment or reimbursement by a Lending Institution or Trade Association to a University employee or Family Member for lodging, meals, or travel to conferences or training seminars unless such payment or reimbursement is related solely to non-University business  University employees whose duties relate to financial aid may accept food or refreshments of nominal value provided or paid for by a Lender or Trade Association at a meeting, conference or seminar related to their professional development or training, as permitted pursuant to the State Code of Ethics.  University employees are not precluded from attending any educational or training program related to financial aid or higher education loans where no registration fee is charged to any attendee because of a Lender’s or Trade Association’s sponsorship or support of the program, and provided that the registration fee is limited to covering the costs associated solely with the education or training component of the program, if permitted pursuant to the State Code of Ethics.
    2. Limitations on University Employees Participating on Lender Advisory Boards No University officer, trustee, director, Agent or employee, or any of their Family Members, shall serve on an advisory board for a Lender.  Lenders can obtain advice and opinions of financial aid officials on financial aid products and services through Trade Associations, industry surveys or other mechanisms that do not require service on Lender advisory boards and provided such person receives no Compensation for such service.  This provision shall not apply to participation on advisory boards that are unrelated in any way to financial aid or higher education loans.
    3. Prohibition of Certain Compensation to the University
      1. Neither the University, nor any alumni association, booster club, foundation, athletic organization, social organization, academic organization, professional organization or other organization affiliated with the University (“Affiliated Organizations”), may accept any Compensation from any Lending Institution or Trade Association in exchange for any advantage or consideration provided to the Lending Institution or Trade Association related to the Lending Institution’s or Trade Association’s financial aid or education loan activity.  This prohibition shall include, but not be limited to (i) revenue sharing by a Lending Institution or Trade Association with the University or Affiliated Organizations, (ii) the receipt by the University or Affiliated Organizations from any Lending Institution or Trade Association of any equipment or supplies, including without limitation, computer hardware and software, for which the University pays below-market prices, and (iii) printing costs or services, provided that a University or Affiliated Organizations shall not be prohibited from accepting a Lender’s or Trade Association’s own standard printed brochures or informational material that does not contain the University’s logo or otherwise identify the University.
      2. Notwithstanding anything else in this subsection II.C., the University may accept assistance comparable to the kinds of assistance provided by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education to schools under or in furtherance of the Federal Direct Loan Program.
      3. Nothing in this subsection shall prohibit a University from accepting endowment gifts, capital contributions, scholarship funding, or other financial support from a Lender or Trade Association, so long as the University gives no competitive advantage or preferential  treatment to the Lender or Trade Association related to its education loan activity in exchange for such support.
    4. Preferred Lender Lists
      In the event that the University promulgates a list of preferred or recommended lenders or similar ranking or designation (“Preferred Lender List”), then:

      1. Every brochure, web page or other document that sets forth a Preferred Lender List must clearly disclose, textually or by clearly designated hyperlink,  the process by which the University selected Lenders for said Preferred Lender List, including but not limited to the criteria used in compiling said list and the relative importance of those criteria; and
      2. Every brochure, web page or other document that sets forth a Preferred Lender List or identifies any Lender as being on said Preferred Lender List shall state in the same font and same manner as the predominant text on the document that students and their parents have the right and ability to select the education loan provider of their choice, are not required to use any of the Lenders on said Preferred Lender List, and will suffer no penalty from the University for choosing a Lender that is not on said Preferred Lender List;
      3. The University’s selection of Preferred Lenders and the University’s decision as to where or how prominently on the list the Lending Institution’s name appears shall be based solely on the best interests of student and parent borrowers, utilizing stated criteria that are limited to benefits provided to borrowers (such as competitive interest rates and repayment terms, quality of loan servicing, and whether loans will be sold) and the ability to work efficiently and effectively with the University to process loans, without regard to the pecuniary interest of the University or to any benefits provided by Lending Institutions to the University or any of the University’s officers, trustees, directors, Agents or employees or their Family Members.  The University’s selection of any Preferred Lender shall be limited to the types of loans for which that Lender has been selected, based on the benefits to the borrower for those types of loans, and the University’s Preferred Lender list shall indicate the types of loans for which each Lender has been selected as a Preferred Lender.  Nothing in this provision is intended to restrict the University’s ability to exercise its discretion in making its own, final judgment about which lenders best meet the University’s criteria and the needs of its student and parent borrowers.
      4. The University shall review its Preferred Lender List at least annually;
      5. The University shall require that all Preferred Lenders commit, in writing to disclose to the borrower, at the time a loan is issued: (a) whether the loan may be sold to another Lender; (b) that the loan terms and benefits will not change if the loan is sold to another Lender;   and (c) that the loan benefits may change if the borrower chooses to consolidate his or her loans; and
      6. The University shall ensure that any Preferred Lender list that it publishes to students contain no less than three (3) Lending Institutions.
    5. Prohibition of Lending Institutions’ Staffing of University Financial Aid Offices
      1. No employee or other agent of a Lending Institution may staff the University financial aid offices at any time.  The University shall ensure that no employee or other representative of a Lending Institution is ever identified to students or prospective students of the University or their parents as an employee or agent of the University.  The foregoing prohibitions notwithstanding, if the University believes that it would benefit students, the University may allow representatives of Lenders to conduct informational sessions, such as exit interviews and presentations on loan payment and loan consolidation options, so long as: (a) student attendance is voluntary; (b) a University representative explains that other Lenders may provide similar services;  (c) the affiliation of the Lender representative is disclosed at the start of the presentation; (d)  the Lender representative does not promote the products or services of any Lender, and (e) the University takes reasonable steps to ensure compliance with the requirements of this paragraph.
      2. In the event that the University permits a Lender to conduct information sessions or exit interviews as set forth in subsection E.1. above, the University must retain control of any interview or presentation offered by Lenders.  Control may be evidenced by: (a) a University employee attending such interview or presentation; (b) the University recording or videotaping the interview or presentation; or (c) with respect to an exit interview conducted electronically via the internet, the University creating or approving in advance the content of such electronic exit interview.
    6. Proper Execution of Master Promissory Notes The University shall not link or otherwise direct potential borrowers to any electronic Master Promissory Note or other loan agreement unless the Master Promissory Note or agreement allows borrowers to enter the Lender code or name for any Lender offering the relevant loan or the University’s link to the electronic Master Promissory Note or agreement informs borrowers of alternative means of entering into a Master Promissory Note or agreement with any Lender of the borrower’s choice.  Any information the University provides to borrowers about completing a Master Promissory Note or agreement with a Preferred Lender must provide the information required in subsections II.D.1 and II.D.2 above.
    7. Requirements for Opportunity Loans The University may enter into arrangements with Lenders to provide Opportunity Loans to students whose credit rating would otherwise preclude them from obtaining loans with reasonable rates and terms.  The University may enter into such arrangements with a Preferred Lender after the University has selected Preferred Lenders in accordance with the provisions of Section II.D above, or it may use a separate process for selecting Lenders to provide Opportunity Loans, so long as that process also complies with the provisions of Section II.D. above.  The University shall not request, accept, solicit or consider a Lending Institution’s offer to provide any Opportunity Loans in exchange for the University providing concessions, benefits or promises to the Lender.
    8. Revolving Door Prohibition
      1. In the event a University hires an employee who will be employed in the financial aid office of the University or who otherwise will have responsibilities with respect to higher educational loans or other financial aid and such employee was employed by a Lender during the 12 month period prior to the date of hire by the University, such employee shall be prohibited from having any dealings or interactions with such Lender on behalf of the University for a period of 12 months from the date such employee’s employment with the Lender was terminated.
      2. In the event a Lender hires an employee who was employed by the University during the 12-month period prior to the date of such employee’s hire by the Lender, the University shall be prohibited from having any dealings or interactions with such employee for a period of 12 months from the date such employee’s employment with the University was terminated.

Policy History

Approved by the Board of Trustees on January 22, 2008
Reviewed September 21, 2018

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Policy

Posted on by
Title: FERPA Policy
Policy Owner: Office of University Compliance
Applies to: All University workforce members, students, and affiliates
Campus Applicability: All UConn Campuses
Approval Date: August 19, 2026
Effective Date: August 31, 2026
For More Information, Contact University Privacy Office
Contact Information: privacy@uconn.edu
Official Website: https://privacy.uconn.edu/

BACKGROUND

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records.  FERPA governs access and disclosure of education records maintained by an educational institution and affords students with certain rights regarding their education records.  The University is committed to maintaining the privacy of education records and ensuring these student rights in compliance with FERPA.

APPLIES TO

All University workforce members, students, and affiliates.

DEFINITIONS

Directory Information: Information contained in an education record of a student that would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed.

Education Records: Records that are directly related to a student and maintained by the University or by a party acting for the University.

Legitimate Educational Interest: A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill their professional responsibilities for the University.

School Official: A person employed by the University in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person serving on the board of trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee. A school official also may include a volunteer or contractor outside of the University who performs an institutional service or function for which the school would otherwise use its own employees and who is under the direct control of the school with respect to the use and maintenance of personally identifiable information from education records, such as an attorney, auditor, collection agent, or a student volunteering to assist another school official in performing his or her tasks.

Student: Any person who is or has been in attendance at the University and regarding whom the University maintains education records. A person is considered to be in attendance at the University on the first day of classes for the program in which the person is enrolled.

POLICY STATEMENT

The University will ensure that students are afforded their rights under FERPA, including the right to inspect and review their education records, the right to request amendment of their education records, the right to limit disclosure of their education records, and the right to file a complaint concerning any alleged failure to comply with FERPA.  In accordance with FERPA, the University has also designated certain categories of information, set forth in this policy, as Directory Information.

All University workforce members, students, and affiliates who have access to student education records are responsible for ensuring that such access, use, and disclosure is in compliance with FERPA and this Policy.  Education records may be accessed only for legitimate educational purposes and may not be disclosed except as permitted by FERPA and this Policy.

A.        Student Rights

FERPA affords students certain rights with respect to their education records.  These rights include:

  1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days after the day the University receives a request for access. A student should submit to the registrar, dean, department head, or other appropriate official, a written request that identifies the record(s) that the student wishes to inspect.  The University official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.  If the records are not maintained by the University official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
  2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes is inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA. A student who wishes to request an amendment of a record should write to the University official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record the student wants changed, and specify why it should be changed.  If the University decides not to amend the record as requested, the University will notify the student in writing of the decision and the student’s right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment.  Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
  3. The right to provide written consent before the University discloses personally identifiable information from the student’s education records, except to the extent FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. FERPA permits the disclosure of personally identifiable information from students’ education records, without consent of the student, if the disclosure meets one or more of the following  conditions:
    • To school officials with legitimate educational interests.
    • To officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll, or where the student is already enrolled if the disclosure is for purposes related to the student’s enrollment or transfer. The University will forward those records without notification to the student.
    • To authorized representatives of the U.S. Comptroller General, the U.S. Attorney General, the U.S. Secretary of Education, or State and local educational authorities, in connection with an audit or evaluation of Federal or State supported education programs, or for the enforcement of or compliance with Federal legal requirements that relate to those programs.
    • In connection with financial aid for which the student has applied or which the student has received, if the information is necessary to determine eligibility for the aid, determine the amount of the aid, determine the conditions of the aid, or enforce the terms and conditions of the aid.
    • To organizations conducting studies for, or on behalf of, the University, in order to: develop, validate, or administer predictive tests; administer student aid programs; or improve instruction.
    • To accrediting organizations to carry out their accrediting functions.
    • To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena.
    • To appropriate parties in connection with a health or safety emergency.
    • Information the University has designated as “directory information.”
    • To a victim of an alleged perpetrator of a crime of violence or a non-forcible sex offense. The disclosure may only include the final results of the disciplinary proceeding with respect to that alleged crime or offense, regardless of the finding.
    • To the general public, the final results of a disciplinary proceeding, if the school determines the student is an alleged perpetrator of a crime of violence or non-forcible sex offense and the student has committed a violation of the school’s rules or policies with respect to the allegation made against them.
    • To parents of a student regarding the student’s violation of any Federal, State, or local law, or of any rule or policy of the school governing the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance if the school determines the student committed a disciplinary violation and the student is under the age of 21.
    • The disclosure concerns sex offenders and other individuals required to register under section 170101 of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994.
  1. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the University to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is:

Student Privacy Policy Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202

B.         Directory Information

FERPA authorizes the University to designate certain categories of information contained in education records as Directory Information and to disclose such information without prior consent, unless the student has opted-out of Directory Information in accordance with University procedures.  The University has designated the following as Directory Information:

  • Name
  • NetID
  • PeopleSoft Number
  • School or College
  • Major Field of Study
  • Degree Sought
  • Class Level
  • Enrollment Status
  • Degrees, Honors & Awards Received
  • Residency/Match Information (Medical/Dental Students)
  • Dates of Attendance
  • Participation in Officially Recognized Activities and Sports
  • Weight, Height and Performance Statistics of Athletic Team Members
  • Photographic Likenesses and Video of Athletic Team Members
  • For Student Employees, Employing Department & Dates of Employment
  • Most Recent Educational Agency or Institution Attended

In addition, the University has designated the following as Limited Directory Information, the disclosure of which is limited to specific purposes and/or specific parties, as set forth below:

  • Photographs and Videos
  • Email Address
  • Mailing Address
  • Telephone Number
  • Date and Place of Birth

Limited Directory Information may only be used in official University publications or websites maintained by or on behalf of the University, including the University’s online directory and internal email system; or disclosed only to specific parties limited to the UConn Foundation and the UConn Law School Foundation.

Students may opt-out of their Directory Information being shared with third parties, except to the extent FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent, as set forth above. Students who would like to opt-out of their Directory Information being shared must make the request in writing.

At the Storrs and Regional Campuses, all requests must be directed to the One Stop Student Services, Wilbur Cross Building, Room 104, Storrs, CT 06269-4077, or onestop@uconn.edu.

At UConn Health, all requests must be directed to the Office of the Registrar, Student Services Center, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06030-1826, or registrar@uchc.edu.

At the UConn Law School, all requests must be directed to the Office of the Registrar, Thomas J. Meskill Law Library, 39 Elizabeth Street, Room 211, Hartford, CT 06105, or law.registrar@uconn.edu

An opt-out of Directory Information will remain in effect until removed by written request of the student. Students who opt-out of Directory Information will be deemed to opt-out of Limited Directory Information.

ENFORCEMENT

Violations of this policy may result in appropriate disciplinary measures in accordance with University By-Laws, General Rules of Conduct for All University Employees, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and the University of Connecticut Student Code.

PROCEDURES

FERPA Privacy Rights Procedures

REFERENCES

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), 20 U.S.C. §1232g; 34 CFR Part 99.

POLICY HISTORY

Policy created: 08/01/2007

Revisions:
02/01/2010
02/06/2013
02/13/2015
08/2016
01/19/2021
08/31/2026 (Approved by the University Senior Policy Council and President)