Category: Information Technology
Responsible Office: Information Security Office
Responsible Executive: Vice President and Chief Information Officer (VPCIO)
Date Established: March 8, 2018
Date Last Updated: February 1, 2023
This document supplements the Accessing Accounts of Deceased or Incapacitated Individuals Policy. It describes the steps in requesting and processing access, as well as the roles and responsibilities.
The University at Buffalo (UB, University) is committed to providing a professional and caring response in the event of the death or incapacitation of a student or employee. Those responsible for implementing this policy shall be guided by the essential communication needs required to respond effectively while maintaining sensitivity for the bereaved.
Due to the sensitive nature of account access requests, all requests must be submitted by email to: ubithelp@buffalo.edu. The email will establish a documentation trail.
The email request should include the following:
To speed approval of the request, evidence (e.g., a physical legal document such as a notarized will) that the person requesting account access (i.e., requesting party) has either power of attorney or is the executor of the deceased individual’s estate will be required.
The UBIT Help Center will route the email request to the Information Security Office (ISO) for processing.
The university’s Office of General Counsel reviews documents (court orders, powers of attorney letters, etc.) to ensure the request is legal. Office of General Counsel approves requests for account access.
Upon General Counsel’s approval, certain information may be released. Typically, records of a personal nature are eligible for release. Please note due to various state and federal restrictions, certain records are not eligible for release. Access to account information is managed on a case-by-case basis.
An individual with a supervisory role within the department/unit/school is responsible for authorizing the release of electronic data to the legally authorized individual.
The employee’s department of primary affiliation designates personnel to review account information. Department personnel will:
If the decedent is a student, FERPA no longer applies, and records can be released to the executor of the individual’s estate. If there is no executor of the estate, the Office of General Counsel will consult with appropriate university executives to determine if an exception will be granted. The Information Security Office coordinates with the executor(s) of the estate to release the applicable records.
| Contact | Phone | |
|---|---|---|
| Office of the Vice President and Chief Information Officer | 716-645-7979 | |
| Information Security Office | 716-645-6997 | sec-office@buffalo.edu |
