CONFIDENTIALITY AND RELEASE OF INFORMATION

1. Disability Services is committed to ensuring that all information regarding a student is maintained as confidential, as required or permitted by law. Any information collected is used for the benefit of the student, and will only be shared on a limited need to know basis. 
2. No one has immediate access to student files except the Disability Services staff. If a student is requesting academic accommodations, the student must sign a release of information in order for Disability Services to notify faculty of a student’s academic accommodation.
3. Federal and state laws may permit or require release of information in the following circumstances, if a student:
   1. states they intend to harm themself or another person(s);
   2. reports or describes any physical abuse, neglect, or sexual abuse of children within the last three years (this includes the occurrence of abuse or neglect to the student if he or she was under age eighteen at the time of abuse);
   3. reports or describes sexual exploitation by counseling or healthcare professionals.
4. A student's file may be released pursuant to a court order or subpoena. 
5. A student may give written authorization for the release of information when they wish to share it with others.  Before giving such authorization, the student should understand what information is being released, the purpose of the release, and to whom the information is being released. In general, information will not be released except in the circumstances set forth above.