Parent FAQs

After an incident is reported by a member of the Residence Life staff, Campus Safety, or another University official, the students involved will receive Call to Hearing Letters, alerting them of the need to schedule an appointment with a conduct officer. The student is responsible for scheduling and attending an appointment within the time allotted. During the appointment, the student will have the opportunity to review the Incident Report and share any additional information with the conduct officer, as well as discuss the incident and the student's involvement.

According to FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), when the University decides that compelling circumstances exist which affect the health and/or safety of an individual, it is the right of the University to notify parents about their student's situation. There are specific times and incidents which the University will alert parents about. They are not limited to, but include the following:

• Transport to the hospital for emergency/life threatening care
• Arrest
• 2nd Alcohol Violation (if the student is under 21 years of age)
• Drug Possession (if the student is under 21 years of age)

When parents are notified, the student will also be notified of the information passed along to parents.

If a parent wants to view their student's file and the University does not deem that the above circumstances exist, the student must sign a FERPA Release Form, stating that they waive the right to privacy. FERPA Release Forms may be obtained from the Residence Life and Student Conduct Office.

Students can appeal the decision and/or sanctions from their conduct hearing to the Vice President of Student Affairs/Dean of Students. Appeals are not granted automatically. Requests for appeal must be thoughtful, well-reasoned, substantive, and demonstrative of at least one of the following criteria:

• That there was a substantive procedural error that may have prohibited the hearing from being conducted fairly in light of the charges. Deviations from designated procedures will not be a basis for sustaining an appeal unless significant prejudice results. 
• New evidence that was not reasonably available at the time of the hearing has become available, and is potentially sufficient to alter a decision.
  • Note: When a party fails to provide a statement under advice of counsel during initial conduct proceedings, and subsequent to the hearing decides to provide a statement, it will not be considered “new evidence” for the purposes of appeal.

To see the official act, click here.