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Parental Notification

 

At Western Kentucky University, we are dedicated to providing a learning environment conducive to personal and professional growth. We strive to treat each student in a way that will promote personal responsibility and allow them to learn from their mistakes. Those objectives must be balanced against the desire of parents need to know early on when their student(s) have been involved with inappropriate use of alcohol. We want to involve parents early in the process, when their student’s behavior begins to impact their daily routine and before the behavior leads to a crisis or severe university action.

The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (”FERPA”) allows the disclosure of specific information concerning the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance by students under the age of 21. The goal of parental notification 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.

The Office of Student Conduct has the liberty to inform the parent or legal guardian of a student under the age of 21 who has been found in violation of the University’s drug and alcohol policy. The University recognizes that the majority of our students are adults and wishes to respect the rights and privileges of that status. We also recognize that the input and involvement of parents can have a dramatic affect on the success and decision making of college students. Parents will receive notification of the following violations of University Policy.

Western Kentucky University is committed to the education and development of students. The University is concerned about the use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs in the collegiate setting. As an institution of higher learning, we are concerned about the negative affect the misuse of alcohol and other drugs has on the educational process. University policy related to alcohol and other drugs include the following statements from Western Kentucky University Student Handbook:The approach to violations of policy related to alcohol and other drugs is designed to be pro-active and educational. Students are provided with information about the effects of alcohol and other drugs during M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan, University Experience, during opening programs in the residence halls and across campus provided by Health Services and Student Activities. Students found in violation of policy are also referred to educational and self-assessment programs such as E-Chug and E-Toke.

 

Parents will receive notification of the following behaviors associated with The Code of Conduct.

1. Any violation of the University Alcohol Policy, or

2. Any violation of the University Drug Policy, or

3. The student (under 21) was arrested by University Police in connection with a violation of the Alcohol or Drug Policy or for DUI, Public intoxication, Minor in Possession or any other drug or alcohol-related incident resulting in citation or arrest, or

4. The student received medical assistance due to incapacitation, suspected incapacitation, and self injury.

 

In addition to the educational interventions, any student found in violation of the Alcohol Policy three times in any one-year period may be suspended from the University. Similarly, any student with one or more violations of the Drug Policy while enrolled at the institution may be suspended or separated from the University. Also, any student who is found to be manufacturing or distributing drugs or attempting to manufacture or distribute drugs on or off campus may be separated, suspended or expelled from the University.