Parental Notification Policy
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Policy title
Parental Notification Policy
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Category
Academic Affairs
Campus Communication
Public Safety/Risk Management
Registrar
Residential Education
Student Health
Student Life
Traditional Undergraduate
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Owner
Student Life
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Approved by
Administrative Council
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Nebraska Wesleyan University is an academic community dedicated to intellectual and personal growth. In keeping with this mission, students are encouraged to take responsibility for their own physical, emotional, and academic well-being. However, we also recognize that parents/guardians often play a crucial role in traditional undergraduate students’ ongoing development and education. Thus, it is our hope that parents/guardians will partner with us in responding to significant issues that may arise.
The University grants to the Vice President of Student Life or a designee the authority to determine when, and by what means, to contact parents/guardians when students are claimed as a financial dependent on the tax forms of a parent/guardian.
Nebraska Wesleyan University is aware that students have rights and expectations in terms of their privacy, as explained under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). FERPA, however, permits NWU officials to disclose, without student consent, educational records which may include personally identifiable information, in order to protect the health or safety of students or other individuals. At such times, records and information may be released to appropriate parties such as law enforcement officials, public health officials, and trained medical personnel. In addition, the Department of Education interprets FERPA to permit institutions to disclose information from education records to parents/guardians if a health or safety emergency involves their student FERPA (34 CFR 99.31).
In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the University may notify parents/guardians in the following circumstances:
- Serious concern for the health and safety of a student
- Serious or repeated offenses related to alcohol or drug use
- Serious risk of losing financial aid
- Removal from residential and/or Greek housing
- Missing persons concerns
- Certain student conduct violations when warranted under policies in the Code of Student Conduct
This sharing of information is also permissible among University employees where there is a “need to know,” such as sharing updates between departments with whom the student interacts.
This policy pertains to full-time traditional undergraduate students.
More information regarding FERPA can be obtained from:
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Ave. S.W.
Washington, DC 20202-5920
(202) 260-3887
http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/