Parental Notification

Parental Notification

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) allows universities to notify certain family members if their student is found responsible for violating the institution’s alcohol or drug policies, or state laws regarding alcohol or drug use. At the University of Mary Washington, a parent or guardian of any student under the age of 21 may be notified under the following conditions:

1. If the student is found responsible for violating the University’s policy prohibiting alcohol intoxication, whether or not the student was arrested or transported to the hospital.
2. If the student is found responsible for a second or subsequent violation of the University’s Alcohol Policy, regardless of the violation’s seriousness.
3. If the student is found responsible for violating the University’s Drug Policy when the drug is not marijuana.
4. If the student is found responsible for violating the University’s Drug Policy when the drug is marijuana, and i) the student was in possession of more than one ounce of marijuana, or ii) the student was in possession of hashish, hash oil, or another controlled marijuana concentrate, or iii) the student was distributing the drug to other individuals, or iv) the student was cultivating marijuana or manufacturing a prohibited marijuana derivative.
5. If the student is found responsible for a second or subsequent violation of the University’s Drug Policy, and i) the drug was marijuana, or ii) the student was found in possession of drug paraphernalia such as pipes, bongs, hookahs, bubblers, grinders, carts, and dabs.

A letter and/or phone call from the Director of Student Conduct and Responsibility designee will notify the parent/guardian. Typically, notification in these conditions does not occur until after the incident has been adjudicated, and after the student’s right to appeal the outcome has expired. Parents or guardians will not be notified of incidents in which the Safe Sammy agreement has been applied.