I'm very sensitive to keeping someone's privacy safe, and while 9 times out of 10 signing a FERPA with lots of other paperwork is not a big deal, it can sometimes be signed without a student thinking. Relationships change, and you never know if someone really wants you discussing their life with someone else. Working in Student Services, this comes up when a parent is concerned about their child, and seeks information from us. Even with a FERPA, I am sometimes reluctant because you don't know what has changed in the relationship since the original document was signed. I try to keep the student's privacy and safety always in my mind, and always keep in close contact with the student and be up front with them when those situations arise.
