Parental Notification Policy
The University's philosophy in dealing with students who
commit major alcohol- or drug-related infractions or who
demonstrate a pattern of substance abuse is to work with
them to solve these problems and to focus on education.
The University will continue to rely on the professional
judgment of its faculty and administrators when assessing
each student's situation.
In addition, due to the recent amendment to federal laws
giving colleges the authority to notify parents of students
under 21 who violate alcohol or drug laws, U.Va. is adopting
a written Parental Notification Policy.
This policy is in addition to the intervention and education
programs already offered students when such infractions
are brought to our attention. Intervention may include one
or more of the following: substance abuse assessment by
a trained clinician; psychological assessment by a trained
clinician; substance abuse counseling; enrollment in educational
programs.
When
parents will be notified
1. When the Office of the Dean of Students receives notification
from law enforcement officials that a University of Virginia
student under the age of 21 has been arrested during an
academic session for a drug- or alcohol-related violation,
a professional staff member in the Office of the Dean of
Students will notify that student's parent or guardian.
The professional staff member in the Office of the Dean
of Students will encourage the student to make the initial
call to a parent or guardian. The staff member ordinarily
will follow up with a phone call, unless family circumstances
make a call inappropriate. In such cases, the student will
be encouraged to use the University's professional counseling
resources.
Violations that would trigger parental notification include
driving under the influence, public drunkenness, underage
possession.
2. All other drug- or alcohol-related incidents will be
discussed with the student involved. In cases where pattern
or severity might be a concern, the incident also will be
evaluated by a professional staff member in the Office of
the Dean of Students -- in consultation with other professionals
as appropriate.
When there is reason to believe that a student's health
and well being are in jeopardy, a professional staff member
in the Office of the Dean of Students will notify a parent
or guardian.
The professional staff member in the Office of the Dean
of Students will encourage the student to make the initial
call to a parent or guardian. The staff member ordinarily
will follow up with a phone call, unless family circumstances
make a call inappropriate. In such cases, the student will
be encouraged to use the University's professional counseling
resources.
Pattern or severity include frequent episodes of drunkenness
and/or binge drinking.
