Under Minnesota law, the age of majority is 18 and carries full adult rights and responsibilities. The University communicates directly with students in matters concerning grades, academic credit and academic standing. In communications with parents, the University is bound by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (as amended) to respect the privacy of the student and not to disclose information from student education records without the prior consent of the student. Only with written permission of the student may such information be provided to parents, guardians or spouses.