605-367-7466
800-247-0789 |
 |
Student Communications
Student email accounts will be used as STC’s official means of communication with students.
Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act
FERPA stands for the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. It is a federal law governing the privacy and handling of educational records and giving specific rights to students. You can find more information about the law at studentprivacy.ed.gov/ferpa.
Who is covered by FERPA?
FERPA covers students who are currently enrolled, or who were formerly enrolled, regardless of their age or status regarding parental dependency.
FERPA does not cover students who applied to a school but did not attend or deceased students.
What are “Educational Records”?
Educational records are records that are maintained by STC as part of the educational process in any form (i.e., handwriting, print, tapes, film, microfilm, microfiche, or electronic data storage). Educational records do not include alumni records, records made by the campus police, or records made for employment, medical, or counseling purposes. Private notes (kept in the sole possession of the maker, not made with a student or other person present, used only as a personal memory aid, and not accessible to anyone other than the creator of the record) held by college officials that are not accessible or released to other personnel are also excluded.
Who might have access to student information?
-
The student, or a third party authorized in writing by the student
-
School officials, as defined by STC
-
Parents of a dependent student, as defined by the Internal Revenue Service (documentation of dependency, such as the most recent federal tax return showing the student is claimed, must be provided before records are released)
-
Individuals or entities in response to a lawfully issued subpoena or court order, provided STC makes a reasonable effort to notify the student in advance
What kind of information can be disclosed to a third party?
FERPA uses the term “Directory Information” to refer to information which may be released without specific written permission from the student, except in certain cases specified by the regulations. Most Directory Information is data that would not be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed.
STC has determined the following items as Directory Information:
Currently enrolled students may request that Directory Information not be released by completing the Request for Non-Disclosure of Directory Information form and returning it to the Registrar’s Office.
What is considered “Non-Directory Information”?
Non-Directory Information includes any educational record not designated as Directory Information.
Examples of Non-Directory Information (not released to third parties without the student’s written consent) include:
-
Test scores (e.g., SAT, ACT, COMPASS, final exams)
This information will not be released to anyone, including parents, without the student’s written consent, except under specific, legally defined conditions.
What are some conditions under which educational records may be released?
STC is under no obligation to release records at any time, unless required by law. Records may, however, be released at the discretion of STC under the following circumstances:
Dual Credit Students: According to the U.S. Department of Education, when a student is enrolled in both a high school and a postsecondary institution (dual credit), the two institutions may share academic information about that student. If the student is under 18, parents retain FERPA rights at the high school and may inspect and review any records shared by the postsecondary institution.
Students who wish to grant access to non-directory information must complete the Release of Information form in myTech, which provides authorized individuals or agencies access through STC’s Release of Information portal. Students may revoke this access at any time by completing the online Revoke Release of Information form.
Who should I contact for more information?
Contact the STC Registrar in the Student Success Center located in the Mickelson Center or call 605.367.7466.
Student Notification of Rights under 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. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their educational records. These rights are:
-
The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the school receives a request for access. Students should submit to the registrar, dean, or head of the academic department (or appropriate official) written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The school official will decide 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 school official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
-
The right to request amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes is inaccurate or misleading. Students may ask the school to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write to the school official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want to change, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the school decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the school will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her 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.
-
The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception, which permits disclosures without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is defined as a person employed by the school in an administrative, supervisory, academic, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit and health staff); a person or company with whom the school has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.
The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the school to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA is:
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-5920
Title IX/Sexual Misconduct/Sexual Assault/Sexual Offense
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 states: ‘No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.’
In an effort to provide a safe, respectful educational environment, STC prohibits discrimination in its policies, employment practices, programs and activities on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, age, gender (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, disability, national origin or ancestry, military/veteran status, genetic information or any other category protected by law. STC prohibits acts of discrimination toward any individual(s) while on STC property or at STC sponsored activities. STC prohibits discrimination against students on the basis of parental status, marital status, or pregnancy. Students will not be excluded from any program or activity, including any class based on the above. Prohibited acts of discrimination include racial, sexual, ethnic or other types of slurs, insults, intimidation, harassment, and other such conduct directed toward another person. STC does not discriminate based on sex in its education programs and activities, and Title IX requires that it not discriminate in such a manner.
Title IX Coordinator
Jim Larson
605-367-5681
3230 N Career Ave, Sioux Falls SD 57107
Jim.Larson@southeasttech.edu
Students are encouraged to submit a complaint or report by writing an email to the Title IX Coordinator. Please include as much information and detail as possible. The Title IX Coordinator will investigate all grievances, regardless of whether or not they have been reported to the authorities.
The following are additional resources regarding Title IX, sexual misconduct, harassment, and discrimination:
Student Right-to-Know/Campus Security Act
STC is required under Public Law 101-542 to encourage students to report all crimes (murder, rape, forcible or non-forcible sex offenses, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, motor vehicle and other thefts or crimes) which occur on the STC to the local law enforcement offices and to the STC Student Success Center or campus security. The STC Campus is policed by the Sioux Falls Police Department and the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Department. STC’s security officers are contracted through the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Department or independent security.
Access to the STC campus facilities is authorized through the President’s Office. Building keys are issued to staff as needed. All staff are authorized to call the appropriate authorities in case of an emergency. All buildings shall be locked and unlocked by STC employees. STC employees must be present when buildings are open. Unless other arrangements have been made, STC buildings will open at approximately 7 a.m. during weekdays and will close Monday through Friday at approximately 6 p.m.. All buildings remain locked after hours and throughout the weekend unless prior arrangements have been made.
STC provides students and staff with educational programs/information established to prevent the occurrence of all crimes (including sex offenses) on campus and procedures to be followed, if such crimes occur. This programs/information are provided during campus events, within courses, or through media such as brochures, websites, the catalog, etc. In addition, STC provides a full-time day security officer and part-time evening security coverage.
In the event a student believes that a crime (including all types of sexual misconduct) has occurred, the student should contact local law enforcement authorities and notify an STC administrator or campus security. It is important that all evidence be preserved for law enforcement investigation. In addition to criminal prosecution, institutional disciplinary action may be taken in all situations involving a crime conviction on the STC campus. Sanctions may include oral or written reprimand, short-term suspension, long-term suspension, or termination. Accusers and accused will have the same opportunities during disciplinary proceedings, and both will be informed of the outcome of these proceedings. Students involved in campus crimes will be counseled by STC staff and referrals made as needed.
Safety & Security
STC publishes an annual report each fall in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crimes Statistics Act. Students may access STC data at http://ope.ed.gov/security or www.southeasttech.edu in the “About Consumer Information” section. The crime report and a STC crime log are also available upon request through the STC Security Office located in the Mickelson Center.
Additionally, as part of the Security Act, students are advised that they can access information regarding registered sex offenders from the Sioux Falls Police Department, Records Division, 320 W 4th St, Sioux Falls, SD or call 605-367-7226 or go to www.minnehahacounty.org and click on Departments/Sheriff.
Student Right To Know Act (Graduation Rate Information)
The Student Right-to-Know Act, passed by Congress in 1990, requires institutions eligible for Title IV funding, under the Higher Education Act of 1965, to calculate completion or graduation rates of certificate- or degree-seeking, full-time students entering that institution, and to disclose these rates to current and prospective students. To read more about the Student Right-to-Know Act, please visit the National Center for Education Statistics website at http://nces.ed.gov.
The following is a report on the completion or graduation rate of full-time students at STC.
As of September 2025, among the first-time students who started full-time coursework at STC during the Fall semester of 2022, 61% had graduated, 2% were still students, 7% had transferred out, and the remaining 30% were no longer attending within 150% of normal time to completion.
STC’s four-year graduation average is 58%, based on the first-time, full-time cohort for the years 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022.
While reviewing this information, please note:
Events Special Accommodations Notification
Students need to notify the Admissions or Student Success Center within 48 hours of any STC event if specific individual accommodations are requested by calling Admissions at 605-367-6040 or Student Success at 605-367-7466.
Veteran’s Information (Veterans & War Orphans)
Prior to enrollment, students with veteran status should coordinate their educational aspirations with their Education Services Officer (ESO) or counselor within their Military Service. Dependents and spouses of veterans with service-connected disabilities can receive personalized career planning through the VA by applying directly for Educational/Career Counseling (Chapter 36) either online, by mail, or in person.
STC is recognized by the State Approving Agency of South Dakota as an approved facility for students to use their veteran’s education benefits and is responsible for certifying coursework and transmitting necessary credentials and information to the Veterans Administration. For more information, contact the STC VA Certifying Official/Veteran Representative at veterans@southeasttech.edu or 605-367-4259. See also: GI Bill® and other education benefit eligibility.
For additional information regarding Financial Aid timelines for applications as well as financial aid information directly related to students with Veteran status, please review the Financial Aid section of the catalog and the STC website. (NOTE: Acceptance of any federal (Title IV) financial aid does not impact VA education benefits received.
Information regarding books and pricing can be found in the Bookstore section of the catalog and at bookstore.southeasttech.com.
Additional information for veterans is available on the STC website.
STC’s VA Certifying Official/Veteran Representative is the initial point of contact for all related services (academic and financial advising, disability services, career services, etc.). Students can contact the VA Certifying Official/Veteran Representative in the Sullivan Health Center Room 200D or by emailing veterans@southeasttech.edu or calling 605-367-4259.
STC does not engage in veteran recruitment bonus incentives. The college restricts the misrepresentation of information or the engagement of high-pressure veteran recruitment tactics.
|
