Orientation: Student Rights & Responsibilities

Accessibility Issues

Federal law requires post-secondary schools to make their programs and services available to all students, including students with disabilities. Online and video conferencing technologies can make many more resources and educational opportunities available to students who would not otherwise be able to participate. These same technologies can also pose other limitations to be overcome. At Texas A&M University, there are resources available to assist students with special requirements. Visit these sites for more information:

Disability Services – http://disability.tamu.edu/ and

Adaptive Technology Services – http://disability.tamu.edu/faq.asp#ats.

Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA)

"The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.

FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children's education records. These rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level. Students to whom the rights have transferred are 'eligible students'.

For more information, visit this federal website: http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html.

Texas A&M University has guidelines in place to protect student rights and privacy regarding student records. According to STUDENT RECORDS RULE 13.02.99.M1, "student records at Texas A&M University will be maintained in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) and the Texas Public Information Act. All rights and protection provided under FERPA and this rule belong to the student."

For more information on this rule visit this TAMU site: http://rules-saps.tamu.edu, OR contact the Office of the Registrar - division of Student Records at (979) 845-1003.

Student Rules for Texas A&M University

Each student has the responsibility to be fully acquainted with and to comply with the Texas A&M University Student Rules. The Texas A&M University Student Rules are broken down into three sections, with additional information provided in the appendixes:

• Part I: Academic Rules (Rules 1 - 22 & 61)
• Part II: Student Life Rules (Rules 23 - 44)
• Part III: Student Grievance Procedures (Rules 45 - 60)
• Appendixes

Rules and Regulations for Determining Residence Status

Rules concerning resident/nonresident status are outlined on the following website: www.collegefortexans.com/residency. Your status as a resident, nonresident or international (foreign) student will be determined in the Office of Admissions prior to your enrollment. The determination is based on state statutes and rules and regulations promulgated by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. You must be prepared to pay tuition and other required fees by specified due dates.

If you have knowledge of an error in your residency status for tuition purposes, it is your responsibility to notify the Office of Admissions and Records immediately. You may do so by submitting a notarized residence questionnaire which is available for download on the website www.tamu.edu/admissions.

Any questions should be directed to the Residency Officer at (979) 458-4175.

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