PARENTAL NOTIFICATION POLICY

In cases of a health and safety emergency, a College official may find it beneficial to notify a parent or identified emergency contact in order to facilitate a plan which will support and protect the student and/or the community. Under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, this type of disclosure is permitted without the student’s consent.

 Parental Notification for Student Violations of the Alcohol and Other Drug Policy
A 1998 amendment to The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 authorizes higher education institutions to inform a parent or legal guardian of any student under age 21, who has been found in violation of any federal, state or local law or any rule or policy of the institution governing the use or possession of alcohol or controlled substances.

The Office of Student Conduct will notify parents/guardians of students under 21 years of age when a student is found responsible^[1] for (1) a violation of the drug policy, (2) a second violation of the alcohol policy, and (3) on the first violation of the alcohol policy when one or more of the following occurs:

• The student demonstrates a reckless disregard for his or her personal safety or the safety of others;
• Medical attention to any person, including the student, is required as a result of the student’s alcohol related behavior^[2];
• There is significant property damage;
• The student operates a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol;
• The incident involves another serious violation of the Code of Conduct or New Jersey Law.

[1] Please Note:  Parental notification will only take place after all possible appeal processes have upheld the finding of responsibility for the offense.

[2] In a situation where a student’s health or safety is/was seriously endangered every attempt will be made to notify the parent/guardian immediately.