FAQs for Parents

Click on your question for the answer:

1. What is the goal of parental notification?
2. Why does Concordia notify parents/legal guardians?
3. May parents opt out of the Parental Notification program?
4. Will parents be given full facts about the alcohol/drug violation?
5. Does the Parent Notification Policy apply to off-campus alcohol and drug violation?
6. Does CUI notify parents of every alcohol or drug violation?
7. Does the law allow parental notification?
8. What is FERPA?
9. How does the judicial process work?
10. What is my role in the judicial process? How can I help my student?
11. How do I advocate for my child during this process?
12. My child is being required to attend an educational program regarding drugs and alcohol sponsored by the California Youth Services. What is this?
13. Can I be in a disciplinary meeting or hearing with my student?
14. How are sanctions decided?
15. My student was placed on Probation/ Deferred Suspension. What does that mean?
16. I know my student could not have done this; I didn't raise my student that way. So why is my student being charged?
17. How should I talk to my student about his/her behavior at college?
18. I think my child may have a substance abuse problem; what should I do?

1. What is the goal of parental notification?
The goal is to enlist parental support for fostering more appropriate student behavior to create a safer community environment and reduce the many negative impacts of substance abuse.

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2. Why does Concordia notify parents/legal guardians?
Research shows that parents/legal guardians continue to have significant influence over the attitudes and behaviors of their college-aged students. The University believes that students benefit from discussions with their parents/legal guardians about the effects of alcohol or use of controlled substances and the importance of community standards.

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3. May parents opt out of the Parental Notification program?
No.

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4. Will parents be given full facts about the alcohol/drug violation?
Parents/legal guardians will receive written notification of the violation, but not the detailed circumstances. Some details are available on request from either the student or the University.

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5. Does the Parent Notification Policy apply to off-campus alcohol and drug violation?
Yes, if the University is officially informed of the violation. Practically speaking, the University is less aware of off-campus student behavior than on-campus behavior.

Please see the Sanctions section in the Student Code of Conduct for more detailed explanations.

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6. Does CUI notify parents of every alcohol or drug violation?
CUI notifies parents/legal guardians at the very first violation of the drug policy and at the second violation of the alcohol policy.

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7. Does the law allow parental notification?
When a student turns 18 years old or enters a post-secondary institution at any age, all rights afforded to parents under FERPA transfer to the student. However, FERPA also provides ways in which schools may share information with parents without the student's consent. For example:

• Schools may disclose education records to parents if the student is a dependent for income tax purposes.
• Schools may disclose education records to parents if a health or safety emergency involves their son or daughter
• Schools may inform parents if the student who is under age 21 has violated any law or its policy concerning the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance.
• A school official may generally share information with a parent that is based on that official's personal knowledge or observation of the student.

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What is FERPA?
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, as amended, is a federal law that influences record keeping in colleges and universities. The law requires that the educational records of students in colleges and universities receiving Department of Education funds, directly or through students receiving federal financial aid, remain confidential. The law allows others to access a student’s educational records only if the student consents, subject to a few exceptions. Certain information, known as directory information, may be released without the student’s consent.

In the course of an academic year, parents, understandably, want to be informed of their student’s progress. Due to FERPA, faculty and staff may not be able to give any information concerning a student to a parent without the student’s permission. For more information about a parent’s rights related to FERPA, go to ED.gov

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9. How does the student conduct process work?
In short, allegations are made that a student has violated University policy. An investigation is conducted by a student conduct officer or hearing board. The student is informed of the allegations and notified of his/her right to a hearing. In the hearing, the student has the right to hear and present information related to the allegations. A decision is made and sanctions are issued, if necessary. In most circumstances, a student has the right to appeal the initial decision. Students also have the right to an advisor during any meeting or hearing, although the advisor may not participate.

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10. What is my role in the conduct process? How can I help my student?
You can help guide the student through the process and be supportive while holding the student accountable to your expectations and the University’s. In most cases, parental involvement is best served in conversations outside the University’s process. Allow and expect the student to set appointments, attend meetings and fulfill sanctions. It is usually not helpful to the educational development of the student, or the resolution of the matter, for you to attempt to handle the situation for them. Unless there has been a health or safety emergency, you will not be notified about a violation of policy until the conduct process is almost complete. If your child informs you on his or her own, you may act as your child’s advisor in the initial hearing or, if your child decides to appeal the decision, you may be an advisor in the appeal hearing. Be mindful about how your involvement will impact your child’s developing sense of independence and self-advocacy.

You can help identify and provide necessary interventions, such as alcohol or drug evaluations, anger management, pastoral counseling, and others so that your student may be successful at CUI.

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11. How do I advocate for my child during this process?
Talk to your child about the decisions he/she is making and about your expectations. Help your child to understand the varying perspectives of the college experience and to navigate through the resources available. Realize that there may be more information than what you are receiving from your child or from the University.

Read through the resources on the University website. Consider what is best for you, your child and your family before contacting the University further. If you would like to talk to someone further about the notice you received, you can call Karyn Pace, Director of Student Conduct, at 949-214-3050.

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12. My child is being required to attend an educational program regarding drugs and alcohol sponsored by the California Youth Services. What is this?
California Youth Services is a program that addresses both educational and possible intervention for those students in need. Please see their website for more information: www.calyouthservices.org.

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13. Can I be in a disciplinary meeting or hearing with my student?
The student may have an advisor present, who may be a parent. The role of the advisor is to support and advise the student but not to speak for or represent the student.

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14. How are sanctions decided?
Sanctions are determined by considering the following factors: nature of the violation, the student's role in the incident, the effect of the incident on others and on the student, the student's developmental and educational needs, and the student's disciplinary record.

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15. My student was placed on Probation/ Deferred Suspension. What does that mean?
Probation is a specific period of time in which a student has to demonstrate the ability to be a responsible member of the community. Any violation of the Student Conduct Code or the conditions of probation committed during the probationary period will result in further disciplinary action.

Deferred Suspension is a more severe form of probation. Please see the Sanctions section in the Code of Conduct for more detailed explanation.

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16. I know my student could not have done this; I didn’t raise my student that way. So why is my student being charged?
Developmentally this is a period of exploration, experimentation, and testing for students. They may be in a period of transition from late adolescence to adulthood. They may also be away from home and the daily influence of their parents for the first time. As students are testing the beliefs and values they learned at home, they may make choices that are inconsistent with these values. Such testing is part of the developmental process and is normal. However, students must also learn that the choices they make may not be healthy and may have consequences.

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17. How should I talk to my student about his/her behavior at college?
You want to get your message across with minimal defensiveness. Be very clear and direct in presenting your concerns. Cite specific examples of behavior that cause you concern. Follow with your feelings about the incident(s) you have cited. Finally, don't analyze, don't interpret, don't accuse, and don't criticize. Offer help, professional assistance, or spiritual guidance for your young adult.

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18. I think my child may have a substance abuse problem; what should I do?
You can refer your child to the CUI Counseling Center who will assess your child’s substance abuse and assist in finding appropriate referrals and resources for the student as needed. You can also contact a counselor in the Counseling Center to broadly discuss the problem you believe your child may have. The counselor is not legally able to share specifics about your child with you, unless he or she believes there is a risk of serious harm, but the counselor can discuss the signs of abuse and help you understand the options.

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