Incidents Subject to Notification
A parent, guardian, or emergency contact MAY be notified when a student under the
age of 21 is involved in one or more of the following, including but not limited to:
- Violations of institutional rules or policies related to the use or possession of
alcohol or a controlled substance;
- Violations of federal, state, or local laws involving alcohol or controlled substances;
and
- Alcohol or controlled substance-related medical emergencies, including:
- Hospitalization;
- Overdose; or
- Other situations presenting a serious risk to the student’s health or safety.
Nothing in this Policy requires the University to notify a parent, guardian, or emergency
contact.
Notification Authority and Process
- Notification determinations are made only by employees designated by the VP for Enrollment
and Student Success, which may include employees from Student Conduct, University
Police, the Student Health and Counseling Center, the CARE Committee, or other officials
authorized by the VP of Enrollment and Student Success, or their designee.
- Individual faculty or staff members will not contact parents, guardians, or emergency
contacts with respect to this policy unless specifically authorized by the VP of Enrollment
and Student Success, or their designee.
- Notifications are made on a case-by-case basis, considering the totality of the circumstances.
In making this determination, the University MAY consider factors including, but not
limited to:
- The seriousness of the incident;
- Whether the incident involved medical attention, hospitalization, or overdose;
- Whether there is an articulable and significant threat to the health or safety of
the student or others;
- The student’s prior conduct history, if any; and
- The University’s obligation to act in the best interests of student health and safety.
FERPA and New York State Education Law Considerations
FERPA permits institutions of higher education to disclose PII without consent if
there is an articulable and significant threat to the health or safety of the student
or others, and the disclosure is to parties who need to know to respond
New York State Education Law §6438-d (Beau’s Law) requires transparency in NYS institutions
of higher education on its policies involving notice to a parent, guardian, or emergency
contact when a student under the age of 21 is involved in one or more of the following,
including but not limited to:
- Violations of institutional rules or policies related to the use or possession of
alcohol or a controlled substance;
- Violations of federal, state, or local laws involving alcohol or controlled substances;
and
- Alcohol or controlled substance-related medical emergencies, including:
- Hospitalization;
- Overdose; or
- Other situations presenting a serious risk to the student’s health or safety.
The university exercises its authority under FERPA and New York State Education Law
in a manner that limits disclosures to information reasonably necessary to address
the circumstances presented.
Student Notification
When feasible and appropriate, students will be informed that a parent, guardian,
or emergency contact has been or may be notified, unless such notification would compromise
health or safety or interfere with an ongoing investigation
Confidentiality and Privacy
All notifications under this policy are handled with sensitivity and respect for student
privacy. Information shared is limited to what is necessary to address health, safety,
or welfare concerns. All disclosures made pursuant to this policy will be documented