What filing setup works for a college advising or student services office?

College advising offices maintain student academic files, advising session notes, degree plans, and correspondence with various academic departments. FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) requires that student records be kept secure and confidential. Locking vertical file cabinets are required — student education records cannot be in open-access filing. Organize by student ID number or alphabetically by last name, with active students separated from graduated or withdrawn students. Advising notes are particularly sensitive — if the office maintains notes separate from official academic records, these should also be in locked storage. At counseling or mental health offices associated with the college, HIPAA protections apply in addition to FERPA. FindOfficeFurniture.com — call 888-719-4960.