The Center for Wounded Veterans in Higher Education will maintain the confidentiality of all student records as required or permitted by law. Any information collected is used by the Center for the benefit of the student. This information may include test data, transcripts, grades, biographical history, disability information, performance reviews, case notes, and correspondence.
No one has immediate access to student files at the Center except authorized Center staff. A student has the right to review his/her own file. Otherwise, information regarding the student's disability obtained from medical examinations or appropriate post-admissions inquiries will be considered confidential and will be shared with others within the university on a need-to-know basis only and only with signed consent from the student.
Disability-related information is to be treated as medical information. In general, University faculty and staff do not have a right or a need to access diagnostic or other information regarding a student's disability. Faculty and staff will be informed of the functionally inhibitive manifestations of the student's disability and the accommodations necessary or appropriate to meet the student's needs and compensate for the aforementioned deficiencies. When a student requests an accommodation, she/he will be informed as to what information will be provided to the faculty or staff regarding the request.
A student's file may be released pursuant to a court order or subpoena. In addition, a student may give written authorization for the release of educational information when he or she wishes to share it with others. Before giving such authorization, the student should understand the information being released, the purpose of the release, and to whom the information is being released. However, please note that the Center cannot release medical or mental health documentation held in the Center’s files from a third party provider. We can only release medical or mental health documentation that was generated by the Center after the student has provided written authorization.
In an effort to support veteran and disability-related research, including projects designed to assess the efficacy and needs of disability services, the Center may collaborate on a wide range of research initiatives with investigators within and outside the University of Illinois. In such instances, students registered with the Center will be contacted by our staff to ascertain their willingness to participate. Students may refuse participation or withdraw from such studies at any time or for any reason without penalty.
