Resources for Parents

The Parent Notification Policy of Marietta College is based on the following premises:

• That college students are in the process of developing independence as they move toward adulthood.
•  That the education of students involves a partnership between the College and the parents of our students.
• Compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Under FERPA, when a student turns 18 or enters a postsecondary institution at any age, all rights to a parent transfer to the student. However, FERPA provides ways in which schools may, but are not required to, share information from a student’s educational records with parents, without the student’s consent. With this in mind, Marietta College will observe the following policy: students own their educational records and have the right and responsibility to solve their own problems, but parents of dependent students, under the following circumstances will be notified without the students' consent:

• If a health or safety emergency involves the student,
• If the student has violated any law or policy concerning the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance,
• If the student is at risk of being removed from college housing or suspended or dismissed from the college,
• If the student has been found responsible for a serious violation of the College Creed or College Housing Policies, and
• If the Vice President for Student Life/Dean of Students deems there are special circumstances that are in the best interest of the student and College to notify the parent.

The College believes this policy has a beneficial effect on the College community and will help your student achieve the academic and personal goals that are at the heart of the Marietta College education.

What is FERPA?

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal privacy law that gives parents certain protections with regard to their children's education records, such as report cards, transcripts, disciplinary records, contact and family information, and class schedules. As a parent, you have the right to review your child's education records and to request changes under limited circumstances. To protect your child's privacy, the law generally requires schools to ask for written consent before disclosing your child's personally identifiable information to individuals other than you.

Does FERPA give me a right to see the education records of my son or daughter who is in college?

When a student turns 18 years old or enters a postsecondary institution at any age, all rights afforded to you as a parent under FERPA transfer to the student ("eligible student"). However, FERPA provides ways in which a school may—but is not required to-share information from an eligible student's education records with parents, without the student's consent. For example:

• Schools may disclose education records to parents if the student is claimed as a dependent for tax purposes.
• Schools may disclose education records to parents if a health or safety emergency involves their son or daughter.
• Schools may inform parents if the student, if he or she is under age 21, has violated any law or policy concerning the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance.
• A school official may generally share with a parent information that is based on that official's personal knowledge or observation of the student.

For more on FERPA and your rights, please see Parents' Guide to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act: Rights Regarding Children’s Education Records. You may also want to read the FERPA General Guidance for Parents.

Driving

• From the North: Take I-77 South To Exit 1
• From the South: Take I-77 North To Exit 1
• From the East: Take I-70 West to I-77 South to Exit 1

From Exit 1, keep right off exit onto Rt-7 South . . .

• Continue through 5 traffic lights.
• At the 6th light (Kentucky Fried Chicken on right), turn right onto 4th Street.
• Continue down 4th Street through blinking light turn right at next traffic light onto Putnam Street.
• Approximately 1 block on the right is the Admission House (red brick with green shutters).
• Visitor parking is provided on the side of the Admission House.

From the West . . .

• Take U.S. 50 East to Belpre, OH to Rt-7.
• Follow Rt-7 into Marietta (will become 3rd Street).
• Turn left at the intersection of 3rd and Putnam Streets.
• Continue through 2 traffic lights.
• The Admission House (red brick with green shutters) is approximately 1 block on the right.
• Visitor parking is provided on the side of the Admission House.

Arriving by Air

The Wood County Airport in Parkersburg, WV, is located east of Marietta and is four miles from Campus. Commuter connections can be made from most metropolitan areas. (With notice, arrangements can be made for picking up students.)

Larger airports with easy access to the Marietta area include:

Port Columbus International Airport (OH)
2 hour drive

Pittsburgh International Airport (PA)
2 hour and 30 minute drive

Akron/Canton Airport (OH)
1 hour and 45 minute drive

Charleston Yeager Field (WV)
1 hour and 30 minute drive

* Discount available upon request for families of Marietta College Students, Faculty and Staff

* Discount available upon request for Marietta College Students, Faculty and Staff