Background

In January 2003, to focus our attention and resources on issues relating to substance abuse, President Philip E. Austin appointed a 24-member Task Force of faculty, students, administrators, parents and community members. He asked them to develop practical, workable recommendations, and he promised to commit resources to strengthen existing programs and implement new ones in this area. All of us recognize, however, that to be successful, our efforts need the cooperation of our students and the support of their families.

Policy

One of the ways the University has implemented to work more closely with parents/guardians is through a parental notification policy. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) permit colleges and universities to inform the parents/guardians of students under the age of 21 when a student is found in violation of university alcohol or drug rules. The Community Standards Office will notify parents/guardians of students less than 21 years of age when a student is found responsible for violations of the University's alcohol and/or drug policies. This notification will typically be in writing. If the parent(s) are present at the student conduct proceeding or if it is known that the parent(s) are aware of the incident, the University may not send a notification letter as these circumstances meet the notification standard. The University of Connecticut will continue to encourage students found responsible for violations to also inform their parents of the incident and the subsequent consequences.

Students who are emancipated have the responsibility to provide Community Standards with the necessary documentation prior to a finding of responsibility in order for parental notification to not occur. This is the sole responsibility of the student and a lack of appropriate notification from the student will result in the notification being sent to the permanent address.

Although the University will not contact parents/guardians of students who are 21 years of age or older, we will certainly encourage them to do so on their own.