Student Policies

Confidential Information

Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.

— Proverbs 11:13 NIV

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 protects the privacy of education records, establishes the right of students to inspect and review their education records, and provides guidelines for contesting information in these records that is believed to be inaccurate or misleading.

Students have the right to inspect and review all of their education records maintained by diakonia. Diakonia is not required to provide copies of records unless it is not reasonably convenient for students to inspect their records.

Diakonia will not release any confidential information from a student’s record without the written consent of the student, except for releasing information to:

  • Other institutions at which a student intends to enroll
  • Certain government officials for the purpose of carrying out their lawful functions
  • Individuals who have obtained appropriate court orders or subpoenas
  • Persons who have need for the information in cases of health and safety emergencies

Diakonia may disclose Directory Information without the written consent of the student. Directory Information includes the following:

  • Name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address
  • Date and place of birth
  • Dates of attendance
  • Enrollment status
  • Graduation status including date of graduation

Students may request the withholding of Directory Information. This request must be made to the site manager where the student is taking classes.

Records Retention

Site managers or area steering committees will be required to retain either electronic or paper copies of student records for three years after students stop attending classes.  Paper copies of student files should be shredded and disposed of in an appropriate manner three years after a student stops attending.   An electronic copy of which courses students have completed should be kept until students graduate.  If a student stops attending, their record of class completion should be maintained permanently.  The national steering committee will keep a permanent list of all graduates and their contact information.

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