Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy

The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPOP) provides for the protection of an individual's right to privacy but also requires that certain records be disclosed upon request unless they are exempt from disclosure. The Act requires that NSAC not disclose any information if that information would constitute an unreasonable invasion of personal privacy. Applicants to NSAC are advised that information they provide along with other information placed in a student file will be used in conjuction with university practices for internal university use and will not be disclosed to third parties except in compliance with the FOIPOP Act or as otherwise required by law.

Release of Information about Students

The following information is available, without application through the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act:

1. Disclosure to Students of Their own Records
   • Students have the right to inspect their academic record. An employee of the Registrar's Office will be present during such inspection.
   • Students will, on submission of a signed request and payment of a fee where appropriate, have the right to receive transcripts of their own record. These transcripts will be marked, "ISSUED TO STUDENT".

   NSAC will not release copies of transcripts if students owe monies to NSAC. If transcripts are issued while a discipline case is pending and the committee subsequently affects the student's transcript, revised transcripts will be sent to recipients if transcripts are isssued while the case was pending.

2. Disclosure to Faculty, Administrative Officers
   and Committees of NSAC
   Information on students may be disclosed without consent of the student to University officials or committees deemed to have a legitimate educational interest.

3. Disclosure to Third Parties
   • The following information is considered public information and may be released without restriction:
     • Name
     • Period of Registration
     • Certificates, Diplomas, Degrees awarded
     • Field of Study (as relates to degrees awarded)
     • Hometown and Awards/Distinctions*
       *As indicated in the convocation program.
   • Information will be released without student consent to persons in compliance with a judicial order or subpoena or as required by federal or provincial legislation.
   • Necessary information may be released witout student consent in an emergency, if the knowledge of that information is required to protect the health or safety of the student or other persons. Such requests should be directed to the registrar.
   • In compliance with Statistics Canada requirements, a student's national personal identification number assigned by the university or college first attended will routinely appear on a student's transcript of record. The Federal Statistics Act provides the legal authority for Statistics Canada to obtain access to personal information held by educational institutions. The information may be used only for statistical purposes, and the confidentiality provisions of the Statistics Act prevent the information from being released in any way that wold identify a student. Students who do not wish to have their information used are able to ask Statistics Canada to remove their identifying information from the national dataase. Students should also be aware that the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission (MPHEC) collects data on behalf of Statistics Canada, and that it uses data for similar purposes. Statistics Canada will notify MPHEC of any student choosing to have their personal information removed from the national database, and their information will subsequently be removed from the MPHEC's database. Further information on the use of this information can be obtained from Statistics Canada's Website (www.statcan.ca) or by writing to:

     Postsecondary Section
     Centre for Educational Statistics
     17th Floor, R.H. Coats Building
     Tunney's Pasture
     Ottawa K1A 0T6

   • Other than in the above institutions, information on students will be released to third parties only at the written request of the student, or where the student has signed an agreement with a third party, one of the conditions of which is her/his record (e.g., in financial aid). This restriction applies to requests from parents, spouses, credit bureaus and police.

   Contact

   Jim Goit, Executive Director of Development and External Relations

   Phone: (902) 893-7950
   Fax: (902) 897-9399
   Email: jgoit@nsac.ca