FAQ for Parents

Parents are encouraged to discuss the matter with their student.  It must be noted that in order for a member of the staff of the office to talk to a parent, there must be a signed Family Educational Rights and Privacy Release (FERPA) that allows staff to speak about the specifics of a pending conduct action. Staff encourages students to speak candidly with parents about the process and pending charges. Encourage your student to be honest, forthcoming and reflective in their interactions with staff members in order that an accurate determination can be arrived at.

See above. If the student has signed a FERPA release, a parent will be able to attend meetings with the student and may speak with the staff member assigned to the case. Students may request access to review and inspect records. Even with a signed waiver the OSSC will only release copies of eligible records directly to the student. The Office of Student Accountability reserves the right to allow the student and parents the ability to review and inspect the contents of the file in the OSSC office with a staff member present.

Violations of the Code of Student Life do not affect federal financial aid, but in the case of a student being suspended, some ramifications may be experienced based on the timing and length of a student's separation from the institution. In addition, some scholarships include a requirement that a student be in "good standing" with the university to keep the scholarship. This could affect the amount of aid a student receives.

Records of Disciplinary Suspension and Expulsion will be notated on the student’s official transcript. Disciplinary standings of Probation, Censure, or Reprimand do not appear on the student’s transcript.

The disciplinary process is intended to be an educational and developmental opportunity for the student. In that respect the student is requested to speak for him/her self. A parent can act as an advisor within the process if the student has signed a FERPA waiver. An advisor does not have a speaking role nor can he/she answer questions for the student. An advisor is there to lend advice and support.

The Family Educational Rights to Privacy Act (FERPA) is the primary law that protects the confidentiality of student records. In order to share specific information regarding a case, a waiver must be signed by the student naming the individual to whom a staff member can speak regarding the case. For more information regarding FERPA, the policy can be found here: FERPA

This sanction is imposed when a student's actions are found to be serious, but not serious enough to warrant Suspension or Expulsion. A student who is placed on Conduct Probation is considered not to be in good conduct standing with the University. For more information regarding Conduct Probation and other Disciplinary Sanctions, look at this page: Disciplinary Sanctions.

Conduct Assessments are sanctions levied by a hearing officer when a student is found in violation of the Code of Student Life. Conduct Assessments are monetary penalties.