He was an adult. I see no reason why the university should share info with his family. The family should require their son to allow them to look at his University records on condition of paying for any of it or co-signing on any loans with the student ... but that’s between family members.
My brother-in-law just went through this with his daughter. She had the master password to her University account and she changed the parental password so they could not go in and see her grades. They said “fine, but don’t expect us to pay any more toward your university”. She reset the password for them.
You are so right.
When my youngest entered college, the university apologetically told parents at orientation that they would not be able to share student grades and other info with us because of privacy laws. They did, however, provide each parent with a legally worded release for the student to sign that allowed parents access to all student records.
When they’re 18 and still a legal dependent, you have leverage.
I love that school.