1. How can I learn how my student is doing?
   
   The best approach is to ask your son or daughter directly. Communicating with young adults isn't easy. They're not always as forthcoming as we would like. The college years, however, are a period of remarkable growth and maturation. The ability and willingness of students to share information and insights usually grows, especially as they acquire the confidence that comes with assuming greater responsibility for their own lives.



2. Does the University have any written policy about information from student records that can be shared with parents?
   
   Yes. Like other colleges and universities across the country, the University of Maryland is subject to a federal law called the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (also called "FERPA" or the "Buckley Amendment"). FERPA sets privacy standards for student educational records and requires institutions to publish a compliance statement, including a statement of related institutional policies. The University of Maryland policy (titled "Policy and Procedures on the Disclosure of Student Education Records") is available in the undergraduate catalog .



3. Where can I find out more information about FERPA?
   
   FERPA is enforced by the U.S. Department of Education. The Department maintains a FERPA website with links to FERPA regulations.



4. What records does FERPA cover?
   
   The privacy protection FERPA gives to students is very broad. With limited exceptions discussed below, Part 99.3 of the FERPA regulations gives privacy protection to all student "education records." Education records are defined as "[t]hose records that are directly related to a student and [are] [m]aintained by an educational agency or institution or by a party acting for the agency or institution." Examples of student records entitled to FERPA privacy protection are grade reports, transcripts, and most disciplinary files.



5. What does it mean to say a record is "protected" by FERPA?
   
   Unless personally identifiable information from a student's education record falls under a specified exception, the information cannot be released to third parties (including parents) without signed and dated written consent from the student.



6. What are the exceptions to FERPA's coverage?
   
   There's a detailed list of exceptions at Part 99.3 of the FERPA regulations ("education records" defined) and at 99.31. Perhaps the most important exception allows "disclosure [of information in student education records] to the parents of a dependent student, as defined in Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986" (Part 99.31 (a) (8)).



7. I had easy access to my student's school records. Why don't I have the same access to records kept by the University?
   
   Under FERPA, the access rights that parents and legal guardians had in the elementary and secondary school setting are transferred to students, once a student has turned eighteen, or is attending any post-secondary educational institution. See FERPA regulations Section 99.3 ("eligible student" defined) and 99.5 (a) ("rights of students").



8. Why do I have limited access to my student's college records when I'm paying her college expenses?
   
   As a parent or legal guardian you normally can have access to your student's college records. The best way to do so is with the student's consent. Nonetheless, as indicated in the answer to Question 6, if you claim your son or daughter as a dependent for federal tax purposes, the University will give you access to his or her education records, as specified in FERPA (see Part 99.31 (a) (8)) and in the University "Policy and Procedures on the Disclosure of Student Education Records" (Part IV (b) (8)). FERPA does not require colleges and universities to grant such parental access. The University of Maryland does so as a matter of policy.



9. How do I provide documentation of my student's dependent status?
Parents are normally asked to supply a copy of their most recent federal income tax forms.


10. How can I fin d out my student's grades?
    
    Most parents ask their student directly. Doing so fosters trust and a sense of mutual responsibility. One convenient approach is to ask your student to give you a parent "PIN" number to access the University's Testudo interactive web service. With the PIN you can access your student's grades, class schedules, student accounts, and unofficial transcripts. The parent access system is administered by the Office of the Registrar. Please call (301) 314-8240 for additional information.
    Also, as indicated in the answer to Question 8, if your student declines to share grade information with you, the Registrar will give you access to his or her grades, if you can demonstrate that you claim the student as a dependent for federal tax purposes. Generally, when a parent seeks access to a student's education records (based on a claim of dependent status), the Registrar will notify the student and urge the student to supply the information directly.



11. Will I be notified if my student is put on academic probation, or is subject to academic dismissal?
    
    No. Information about grades and academic standing is sent directly to students. You can, of course, ask your student to keep you informed about his academic performance, and you can gain immediate access to his academic records through the use of a parents' "PIN." See the answer to Question 10.



12. Will I be notified if my student is hurt or in danger?
    
    Part IV (B) (9) of the University "Policy and Procedures on the Disclosure of Student Education Records" states that prior consent to disclosure of information from student education records will not be required when notice is made to "[a]ppropriate parties in connection with an emergency, where knowledge of the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals." We normally consider parents as "appropriate parties" to notify in such emergencies. For example, if a student living in the residence halls were transported to the hospital in a life-threatening situation, every reasonable effort would be made by Resident Life staff to notify parents as soon as possible.



13. Will I be notified if my student is hurt or in danger in a fraternity or sorority house?
    
    Students living in a fraternity or sorority house have greater autonomy than students residing in residence halls, especially if the fraternity or sorority is located off-campus. These facilities are managed by independent house corporations, which enter into individual lease agreements with students rather than the University. Nonetheless, the fraternity and sorority student officers and facilities managers are instructed to inform University personnel when a health or safety emergency occurs. Often, these representatives of the group have already notified family members of the student involved. If Greek Life staff are aware of students in life-threatening situations and parents have not already been contacted by health or safety personnel, they will make every effort to contact parents at that time.



14. What if my student is hurt or in danger off-campus?
    
    Generally, students are not subject to our control or supervision when they live and work off-campus. However, if we learn of an emergency involving one of our students, we will attempt to notify the student's parents, in accordance with our emergency notification policy and procedures. Hospitals and police agencies will also follow their own notification protocols.



15. Will I be informed if my student is treated at the Health Center or is seeing a counselor in the Counseling Center?
    
    Not normally. In addition to FERPA, state laws and professional ethical codes preclude the University from routinely sharing student medical information and counseling records with third parties, including parents, without the student's consent. There are important policy reasons supporting these confidentiality requirements, including the proven therapeutic benefits associated with encouraging students to talk openly and candidly with a physician or counselor - without fear that their conversations will be reported to others.
    Confidentiality, of course, is not absolute. It can be broken (and parents notified, as appropriate) if staff members in the Health or Counseling Centers determine that a student poses an imminent danger to self or to an identifiable third party.



16. How will I know if my student is subject to University disciplinary action?
    
    The University disciplinary system is administered by the Office of Student Conduct (OSC). OSC staff members routinely urge students to inform their parents if they are accused of any disciplinary offense. Students can also authorize release of all the information in their disciplinary files. A copy of the file can then be sent to a parent or legal guardian, upon request.
    Dependent students facing disciplinary charges that could result in suspension or expulsion from the University will be asked to provide the Office of Student Conduct written confirmation that they have notified one of their parents. A copy of that written confirmation will then be mailed to the parents, at the home address specified in the student's application for admission. Normally, if such confirmation is not provided by the student, a OSC staff member will contact the parents and suggest a conference (either in person or by telephone) to review the matter. The accused student will be invited to attend the conference.



17. I've seen press reports about a new FERPA provision allowing notice to parents when a student violates drug or alcohol laws. What position has the University taken on this new rule? Part 99.31 (a) (15) (i) of the FERPA regulations authorizes - but does not require - disclosure to parents of "the student's violation of any Federal, State, or local law, or of any rule or policy of the institution, governing the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance if--(A) The institution determines that the student has committed a disciplinary violation with respect to that use or possession; and (B) The student is under the age of 21 at the time of the disclosure to the parent."
    The University has not changed its privacy policy to permit such disclosure. However, as indicated in the answer to Question 16, we will normally notify parents of dependent students if their student is facing a disciplinary charge that could result in suspension or expulsion.



18. Will I be notified if my student becomes involved with controversial or harmful groups?
    
    We endeavor to notify parents in emergencies, as defined in Part IV (B) (9) of the University "Policy and Procedures on the Disclosure of Student Education Records" (see the answer to Question 12). Affiliation with a "controversial" or "harmful" group would not normally qualify as such an emergency. The University is a large, diverse community. Part of the collegiate experience is experimenting with ideas, friendships, and affiliations that may strike others as controversial or harmful. Courts even recognize a "right of association" in this regard, protected by the First Amendment. Most parents and teachers work hard to help young people develop better decision-making skills. That process continues in the university environment -- both in the classroom, and in our activities programming (including an effort to advise students about distinguishing between genuine and exploitive friends). Ultimately, however, adult students must be given considerable freedom to make their own choices, and to learn from their own mistakes.



19. Who can parents call if they have additional questions about student privacy rights at the University of Maryland?
    
    Your questions usually can be answered by the department head where the relevant records are kept. Otherwise, we suggest you contact Dr. John Zacker, Director, Office of Student Conduct, at (301) 314-8204.

The University is an academic community. Its fundamental purpose is the pursuit of knowledge. Like all other communities, the University can function properly only if its members adhere to clearly established goals and values. Essential to the fundamental purpose of the University is the commitment to the principles of truth and academic honesty. Accordingly, The Code of Academic Integrity is designed to ensure that the principle of academic honesty is upheld. While all members of the University share this responsibility, The Code of Academic Integrity is designed so that special responsibility for upholding the principle of academic honesty lies with the students.

Review the complete Code Of Academic Integrity at the Student Honor Council website.

One of the primary functions of the Office of Student Conduct is to resolve disciplinary complaints filed against students at the University of Maryland. The student disciplinary process is intended to maintain the behavioral standards set forth by the campus community, and to provide all students with a fair process for resolving such complaints.

The Code of Student Conduct outlines the standards to which all students must abide while attending the university. The "Code" is also published in its entirety in the Undergraduate Catalog and available upon request from the Office of Student Conduct.


Student Conduct Tenets

• To regard each student as an individual, deserving individual attention, consideration, and respect.
• To consider the facts fully and carefully before resolving any case.
• To speak candidly and honestly to each student.
• To hold each student to a high standard of behavior, both to protect the campus community, and to promote student moral development.
• To recognize the reality of human fallibility, as well as the stresses associated with collegiate life, and to demonstrate compassion, understanding, and a sense of perspective.
• To contribute to the educational mission of the university by designing policies, conducting programs, and offering instruction that contribute to the intellectual and moral development of the entire student body.

Contact the Director of Student Conduct (301) 314-8209 anytime you believe you have not been treated in accordance with these tenets.


Prohibited Conduct at the University of Maryland

The following misconduct is subject to disciplinary action:

1. Intentionally or recklessly causing physical harm to any person on University premises or at University-sponsored activities, or intentionally or recklessly causing reasonable apprehension of such harm.
2. Unauthorized use, possession or storage of any weapon on University premises or at University-sponsored activities.
3. Intentionally initiating or causing to be initiated any false report, warning or threat of fire, explosion or other emergency on University premises or at University-sponsored activities.
4. Off-campus misconduct which:
   • is a criminal offense off campus, resulting in conviction, if such an offense would constitute a violation of this Code had it occurred on University premises. No student convicted of a misdemeanor under this section shall be subject to expulsion or full suspension unless the offense constitutes an aggravated violation as defined in Part 2(a) of this Code. The University shall not pursue disciplinary action when a non-aggravated misdemeanor does not pose a threat to the stability of the campus or campus community; provided, however,
   • rioting, assault, theft, vandalism, fire setting, or other serious misconduct related to a University-sponsored event, occurring on or off-campus, that results in harm to persons or property or otherwise poses a threat to the stability of the campus or campus community may result in disciplinary action regardless of the existence, status, or outcome of any criminal charges in a court of law related to misconduct associated with a University-sponsored event.
5. Knowingly violating the terms of any disciplinary sanction imposed in accordance with this Code.
6. Intentionally or recklessly misusing or damaging fire safety equipment.
7. Unauthorized distribution or possession for purposes of distribution of any controlled substance or illegal drug11 on University premises or at University-sponsored activities.
8. Intentionally furnishing false information to the University.
9. Making, possessing, or using any forged, altered, or falsified instrument of identification on University premises, or at University-sponsored activities; making, possessing, or using any forged, altered, or falsified University document, on or off-campus.
10. Intentionally and substantially interfering with the freedom of expression of others on University premises or at University-sponsored activities.
11. Theft of property or of services on University premises or at University-sponsored activities; knowing possession of stolen property on University premises or at University-sponsored activities.
12. Intentionally or recklessly destroying or damaging the property of others on University premises or at University-sponsored activities.
13. Engaging in disorderly or disruptive conduct on University premises or at University-sponsored activities which interferes with the activities of others, including studying, teaching, research, and University administration.*
14. Failure to comply with the directions of University officials, including campus police officers, acting in performance of their duties.
15. Violation of published University regulations or policies, as approved and compiled by the Vice President for Student Affairs.13Such regulations or policies may include the residence hall contract, as well as those regulations relating to entry and use of University facilities, sale or consumption of alcoholic beverages, use of vehicles** and amplifying equipment, campus demonstrations, and misuse of identification cards.
16. Use or possession of any controlled substance or illegal drug on University premises or at University-sponsored activities.14***
17. Unauthorized use or possession of fireworks on University premises.

* The response of fire, police, or emergency personnel to a non-frivolous call, or action taken by them on their own initiative pursuant or non-pursuant to policy is not considered a disruption or reckless action within the meaning of this section.

** Parking and traffic violations may be processed in accordance with procedures established by the Vice President for Student Affairs.

*** This charge is considered an aggravated violation as defined by Part 2 (a) and may result in suspension or expulsion from the University.