FERPA Amendments
On October 1, 1998, the U.S. Congress passed several amendments to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Below is a summary of these amendments as they relate to advising. For those who wish further information, a more complete document is available from Conflict Resolution and Student Conduct Services upon request.
Disciplinary Action: Alcohol or Drug Related (Related to Section 952)
If a parent contacts the University seeking information regarding a student’s alcohol or drug-related disciplinary record, information will be shared by an informed, full-time staff member of the Division of Student Affairs. If it relates to University Disciplinary action, the Director of Conflict Resolution and Student Conduct Services, one of the designated University hearing officers in Housing, or the Faculty Chairperson of the Discipline Committee will respond to the call. If the infraction relates to landlord disciplinary action, involving a breach of a residential contract, the most informed full-time staff member will respond to the call.
The designated staff member will share information regarding any alcohol or drug-related infraction for which a student, through a disciplinary hearing (either the University Disciplinary process or the Landlord Disciplinary process), has been found responsible. Parents seeking information regarding behaviors for which charges are pending must have their son or daughter provide written or verbal consent to the disclosure.
Disciplinary Action: Crime of Violence (Related to Section 951)
This section refers to crimes of violence or non-forcible sex offenses for which an institution determines, through a disciplinary proceeding, that a student committed a university disciplinary violation.
The University may disclose final results of University Disciplinary Hearings for students who have been found responsible for violent infractions or sex offenses for any legitimate request made in writing to the Office of Judicial Affairs. This includes the name of the accused student, the violation(s) committed, and the sanction(s) imposed. Special care will be taken to safeguard the names and personally identifiable information related to any victims or witnesses.
If a student is found responsible for a violent infraction or sex offense through a University Disciplinary Hearing, contact may be initiated with parents at the discretion of the University Hearing Officer.
If a parent or other party seeks information prior to a finding of responsibility through the hearing process, a written release must be obtained from the accused student.