Guidelines for Visits and Data Requests from Law Enforcement or Government Agents

Federal, state, and local government agencies and law enforcement may request information or seek assistance from Charlotte faculty or staff on a range of items, including immigration, law enforcement and compliance with applicable laws.

If you are approached by a member of law enforcement or government agency seeking assistance, you should remain professional in your interactions with these individuals. 

If federal, state or local government agencies or law enforcement visit your office or department:

  • Ask the official(s) to wait in a public area for your office/department and contact UNC Charlotte Police and Public Safety at 704-687-8300 (answered 24/7). A University police officer will come to your location to verify the credentials of the official.
  • While waiting for Police and Public Safety, contact the Office of Legal Affairs at 704-687-5732 to request guidance from University counsel. Please be prepared to disclose all the information about the situation to Legal Affairs.
  • While you may communicate with law enforcement as appropriate, you are not permitted to release identifiable information about any faculty, staff, or student or to represent the University. Legal Affairs will decide how any requested information is appropriately shared.

If you receive a request for information from federal, state or local government agencies or law enforcement in an email, written document or by phone:

  • First, call the Office of Legal Affairs at 704-687-5732 and inform them of the nature of the inquiry. Please specify whether the inquiry concerns a student, faculty, or staff member. Also, please note whether you received a subpoena, court order, or other written request. Be prepared to share a copy of any written request and related materials with counsel for their review.
  • Remember that the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects the privacy of student education records and generally prohibits disclosing those records without the student’s written consent or other legal exception. For employees, the North Carolina Human Resources Act generally prohibits the disclosure of confidential personal information without a legal exception.
  • If applicable, you can share the following with the official(s):
    • “I appreciate that you are interested in obtaining information from the University, and I am going to do my best to assist you. University policies and applicable law generally do not permit me to share information about our faculty, staff, or students with you. University protocol also requires that our campus police verify your credentials. I am happy to escort you to a place where you can wait for Police and Public Safety. Also, I will contact the University’s Office of Legal Affairs for guidance on responding to your information request.”
    • If the agent(s) presses for immediate action, please maintain professionalism, repeat the paragraph above, and contact your supervisor.

If you are asked for personal information about a student experiencing a health or safety issue:

A government official may, during a health or safety issue, request information about a student. In some circumstances, it may be necessary for the University to release certain information. The relevant Associate Vice Chancellor in consultation with the Office of Legal Affairs should be contacted for assistance in these situations. Reminder: You do not have authority to release individualized information without additional consultation.

Helpful Contacts:

UNC Charlotte Police & Public Safety
704-687-8300 (answered 24/7)
police@charlotte.edu 

Office of Legal Affairs
704-687-5732