Bossier Parish Community College is in compliance with this comprehensive standard because the College adheres to the federal laws that protect the privacy of student records: Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA)

FERPA does allow BPCC to disclose student records without consent under the following conditions: to school officials with legitimate educational interest; to other schools to which a student is transferring; to specified officials for audit or evaluation purposes; to appropriate parties in connection with financial aid to a student; to organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the school; to accrediting organizations; to officials to comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena; to appropriate officials in cases of health and safety emergencies; and to state and local authorities, within a juvenile justice system, pursuant to specific state law. BPCC may disclose, without consent, directory information unless otherwise requested by the student or parent.

HIPAA of 1996 protects the privacy of health care information by setting standards for privacy and security of individually identifiable information. Student's clinical health information is protected under this law. HIPAA statute states: "To ensure the integrity, and confidentiality of the information; to protect against any reasonably anticipated-threats or hazards to the security or integrity of the information; and unauthorized uses or disclosures of the information-and otherwise to ensure compliance with this part by the officers and employees of such person." Students seeking specifics concerning security and confidentiality of their student records may refer to the FERPA section in the Student Handbook 7.

All student support paper records are maintained in secure environments in various offices throughout the campus such as the Admissions/Registrar's Office, the Financial Aid Office, the Counseling Center, Division Chairs' Offices, and the Executive Dean of Instruction's Office. These student records are securely locked and are accessible only by authorized personnel. The policy for maintaining academic records is found in the Student Handbook General Admission Requirements 3.

Computer Services protects the confidentiality of students' academic records stored on magnetic and optical media using access control, authentication, and encryption. Authorization for access to student information is controlled by the Registrar, and authorization for financial information is controlled by the Comptroller. Both student information and financial information require three levels of authentication. All activity in these systems is check-pointed and logged. All student information and financial data is backed up nightly to tape and stored off site. Pertinent paper documents are scanned into an electronic document imaging system that archives on both magnetic and optical media. Access to data is limited to authorized personnel and is transmitted using various encryption methods.

The policy for maintaining disciplinary records is found in the Student Handbook General Admission Requirements 3. This policy states that the student disciplinary records are maintained in a locked filing cabinet in the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.

Records for work study students are maintained for two years in the Job Placement Office in a locked file cabinet and are covered by the FERPA policy.

If a student chooses to release his/her information, the College uses a Student Information Release Form that must be completed and filed with the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.

Bossier Parish Community College protects the security, confidentiality, and integrity of its student records. The College adheres to all federal laws that protect the privacy of student records. All student support paper records are maintained in secure environments in various offices throughout the campus; they are securely locked and accessible only by authorized personnel. Computer Services protects student academic records stored on magnetic and optical media using access control, authentication, and encryption. All student records stored electronically are backed up nightly and stored off-site. A student must complete a Student Information Release Form if he or she chooses to release records.