This page contains content from the 2008–09 academic year. For current information, visit the Harvard Extension School website at www.extension.harvard.edu.
Regulations
On this page:
- Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
- Drug-Free Schools
- Student Right to Know and Campus Security Act
- Commonwealth of Massachusetts Voter Registration Law
- Tax Relief Act
- Hazing
- Nondiscrimination Policy
- Changes to Information
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
Both Extension School policy and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), as amended, provide students with certain protections concerning the confidentiality of their educational records. No information about students, except that which is defined below as directory information, is released outside the University without the student’s prior written consent unless otherwise authorized or required by law. The Extension School, however, maintains the legal right to withhold the release of directory information to third parties who may not have an educational interest in the information. The Extension School defines the following student information as directory information: name; date of birth; dates of enrollment; full- or part-time status; degree, certificate, or diploma program; area of concentration; field of study; Harvard University ID image for degree, certificate, and diploma candidates; academic honors; prior degrees and schools attended; and expected or actual date of graduation.
Students have the right to withhold the disclosure of this information. No student information is released about students who have requested the Extension School to withhold the disclosure of directory information, unless otherwise authorized or required by law. Students should carefully consider this decision because once they choose to withhold directory information, it will not be released to anyone, including prospective employers seeking confirmation of enrollment. Students who do not want their directory information released to a third party should submit the Request for FERPA Block to Prevent Disclosure of Directory Information to Academic Services. See Harvard University's FERPA Block Information to download a form.
Under FERPA, Harvard Extension School is allowed to disclose, without the student’s prior written consent, student information that is not considered directory information to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by Harvard University in an administrative, teaching, research, law enforcement, or health services position or an agent of the University, such as a person with whom or a company with which the University has contracted. Harvard Extension School determines whether an official has a legitimate educational interest by considering if disclosure of the information is appropriate for the effective functioning of the person’s office, their position, or the University.
Students have the right to inspect and review their educational records. To do so, they should submit written requests to Academic Services identifying the records they wish to inspect. Academic Services contacts students to arrange for access to the educational records within 45 days of receipt of the requests. Students should call Academic Services for more information. Students have the right to request the amendment of their educational records to ensure that they are not inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of their privacy or other rights. Academic Services notifies students of the decision concerning their requests and advises students of their right to a hearing if they continue to disagree with the content of their educational records.
Students have the right to file a complaint with the US Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the Harvard Extension School to comply with FERPA. Such complaints may be submitted in writing to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act Office, Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202.
Drug-Free Schools and Campuses Act
The Drug-Free Schools and Campuses Act of 1989 prohibits the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of drugs and alcohol by students and employees on University property or as part of any University-sponsored activity. Information is available about the University’s standards of conduct regarding alcohol and drugs, applicable legal sanctions under public laws, health risks associated with the illicit use of drugs and the abuse of alcohol, drug and alcohol counseling and treatment resources on campus, and the disciplinary sanctions that may be imposed in instances of misconduct involving alcohol and drugs. This information is available on the Harvard University Police Department website.
Student Right to Know and Campus Security Act
In compliance with this act, the Harvard security guide, Playing It Safe, is available online at the Harvard University Police Department website. The guide, published by the Harvard University Police, describes Harvard’s security policies, provides statistical information on the occurrence of crime on campus, and outlines some of the counseling programs the University provides.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Voter Registration Law
In compliance with the 1996 Commonwealth of Massachusetts Voter Registration Law, Harvard Extension School makes available affidavits of voter registration forms at 51 Brattle Street and Grossman Library, or you may request them online at the Secretary of the Commonwealth website.
Tax Relief Act
Harvard Extension School files a form 1098-T with the Internal Revenue Service for every student who is enrolled in at least one course during the 2008–09 calendar year and has at least one charge and corresponding payment during the same tax year. Students are mailed confirmation of the enrollment and financial information that is filed for them by February 1, 2009. Students must provide the Extension School with their Social Security number for their enrollment and financial information to be filed.
Students who have questions about their eligibility for Hope Credit and Lifetime Learning Credit should speak with their tax advisors or visit www.1098T.com, where they can view their enrollment and financial information and print a copy of their 1098-T form. This site also has useful information about the Tax Relief Act of 1997, which provides educational tax incentives to eligible taxpayers.
Hazing
Massachusetts law prohibits any form of hazing in connection with initiation into a student organization. The law applies both to officially recognized and unrecognized groups, and to practices conducted on and off campus. The term hazing, as used in this law, is defined as “any conduct or method of initiation… which willfully or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health of any student or other person” (Massachusetts General Laws, c. 269, sec. 17). Hazing is a crime punishable by fine or imprisonment. The Administrative Board considers all reports of hazing in the normal course of its oversight, taking disciplinary action in appropriate cases and reporting confirmed incidents to appropriate law enforcement officials. In addition, failure to report hazing is illegal (Massachusetts General Laws, c. 269, sec. 18). A full copy of the Massachusetts laws relating to hazing is available online (download form); in the Dean of Students Office, 51 Brattle Street, (617) 495-3481; and at the reference desk in Grossman Library.
Nondiscrimination Policy
In accordance with Harvard University policy, Harvard Extension School does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, veteran status, or disability unrelated to job or course of study requirements in admission to, access to, treatment in, or employment in its programs and activities.
Address inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies to Christopher S. Queen, Dean of Students, 51 Brattle Street, Room W-523, Cambridge, MA 02138-3722, (617) 495-3481.
In addition, inquiries regarding the application of nondiscrimination policies may be referred to the Office for Civil Rights, US Department of Education, 33 Arch Street, Suite 900, Boston, MA 02110-1491, (617) 289-0111, fax (617) 289-0150, TDD (877) 521-2172, OCR.Boston@ed.gov.
Changes to Information
Harvard Extension School reserves the right to make changes at any time to information printed in the catalogue or on the website. The website reflects the most current information.