Students are NOT excused from any assignments or activities online for discussion boards and etc. Even though certain information is protected, participation in any academic activities are still required for all students and may NOT be anonymous.

Institutions may only release information to a public figure if the request is for someone who is deceased. Even though FERPA rights can still continue after a student is no longer enrolled, it does end upon the student's death.

I learned that if multiple types of record are shared during an audit, it is in fact required to make documentations of every record released. It is also noted that institutions are only required to release information that is non-disclosed from Directory Information if the student is in current attendance. 

FERPA is meant for the privacy of students records. It helps students access their records whenever they need it provided to them. 

I found this information useful by having enough information to better customer service on these topics.

Customer service is equally as important internally as it is externally. No matter where you are giving good customer service, it matters everywhere. Otherwise, without it, there would be no business work flow met to standard. Making sure the communication between your team members plays a huge role in providing the customer service we need to be successful.

Just because students come to institutions to learn, doesn't make them not customers. Without them there would be no business or pay. We need to treat every student as a customer and make sure their experience is beyond their satisfaction.

Customer service is mainly based on customer connections and satisfactions. Without the customer being satisfied, that would lead to a decrease in business and losing those customers. Always be sure to let the customer leave happy and satisfied that way you are sure that they will always come back.

Not only is the first week of class important, but so is the first day. Instructors need to make sure that they are ready and prepared for the first day as much as the students are. The instructor plays a big part on making the students feel comfortable and secure with choosing their specific classes they enrolled in. If the instructor isn't prepared or doesn't provide the correct tools and reassurance for the class standards, that would make the students doubt their decision making of the class and possibly stop attending. 

Meeting faculty, instructors, and even other students ahead of time gives you a great opportunity to exchange information with each other for better communication about who your team is and what you will be doing in order to succeed.