1. Purpose

   The purpose of this statement is to set forth University policy with regard to situations which would justify contacting a student's parents or guardian to provide information about the student.

2. Preamble

   The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) places significant limitations upon colleges and universities' ability to share or provide information regarding an enrolled student. However, FERPA does recognize certain limited exceptions and this policy statement is intended to provide guidance and information as to when parental notification should be deemed to be justified and appropriate.

3. Policy

   1. The University may choose to notify the parent or guardian of a University student, without the student's consent, when deemed to be appropriate and justified under the circumstances, including, but not necessarily limited to, the following circumstances:

      1. The University may disclose personally identifiable information from the education records of a student to the parent or guardian of the student in connection with an emergency if knowledge of the information is reasonably considered to be necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals. Disclosures for this purpose shall take into account the totality of the circumstances pertaining to the threat to the health or safety of a student or other individuals.

      2. The University may disclose personally identifiable information from the education records of a student to the parent or guardian of the student regarding the student's violation of any federal, state, or local law, or of any rule or policy of the University, governing the use of alcohol or a controlled substance if the University determines that the student has committed a violation with respect to that use or possession and the student is under the age of 21 at the time of disclosure to the parent or guardian.

      3. The University may disclose personally identifiable information from the education records of a student to parents of a dependent student, as defined in Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

   2. The Vice President for Student Affairs will be responsible for contacting a student's parent or guardian as provided by this policy statement. The Vice President for Student Affairs should, as feasible under the circumstances, consult with the University's General Counsel prior to proceeding with any notification to a parent or guardian.

   3. The Vice President for Student Affairs will be responsible for developing a process to provide guidance and instruction with regard to implementation of this policy statement.

4. Implementation

   This policy shall be included in the WSU Policies and Procedures Manual and shared with appropriate constituencies of the University.

   The Vice President for Student Affairs shall have primary responsibility for publication, dissemination and implementation of this University policy.

(See also Security and Confidentiality of Student Records and Files at Section 3.12 of this manual.)