5.4.15 Confidentiality/Privacy

adopted: Feb-2021
last revised: Feb-2021

Every effort is made by Richland Community College to preserve the confidentiality of reports. Richland Community College will not share the identity of any individual who has made a report or complaint of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation; any Complainant; any individual who has been reported to be the perpetrator of sex discrimination; any Respondent; any witness, except as permitted by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), 20 U.S.C. 1232g; FERPA regulations, 34 CFR part 99; or as required by law; or to carry out the purposes of 34 CFR Part 106, including the conducting of any investigation, hearing, or grievance proceeding arising under these policies and procedures.

Richland Community College reserves the right to determine which officials have a legitimate educational interest in being informed about incidents that fall within this policy, pursuant to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Information will be shared as necessary with investigators, decision-makers, witnesses, and the parties. The circle of people with this knowledge will be kept as tight as possible to preserve the parties’ rights and privacy.

Richland Community College may contact parents/guardians of students to inform them of situations with a significant and articulable health and/or safety risk but will usually consult with the student before doing so.