Background

Colleges and universities across the United States have serious concerns about the use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs by their students.  Ball State University is no different in that regard.  Consistent with our university's mission for developing "civic and professional leadership" in our students and our values of  "integrity and social responsibility," we believe it is our duty to foster a campus environment that is free of alcohol abuse and illegal drug use.

We recognize that achieving this goal will require the commitment and collaboration of many constituencies both on the campus and in the community.  We are asking parents to help us address the abuse of alcohol and other drugs by college students. 

Recent changes in the law that governs the privacy of student records, Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), permit colleges and universities to inform parents/guardians of students under 21 years of age when their student has been found in violation of university alcohol and drug policies. 

Task Group Formation

In the fall of 2001, the Office of the Dean of Students formed a task group to investigate the issues surrounding parental notification and recommend a policy.  The task group membership included professionals from Counseling and Psychological Services, Housing and Residence Life, Student Organizations and Activities, Public Safety, Health Education, Office of the Dean of Students, and a representative from the Student Government Association.

Goals

The task group met for several months to research parental notification policies and practices from other institutions and to discuss how this tool can best be used at Ball State University.  During the formation of the policy recommendation, the task group identified two important goals:

1. To partner with parents in assisting students to make more healthy and responsible decisions regarding drug and alcohol use.
2. To deter irresponsible drinking and all drug use.

Policy Statement

After consulting with various campus and community stakeholders including student and parent groups, the following policy was adopted effective fall 2002:

The Office of Student Rights and Community Standards will notify parents/guardians of students under 21 years of age when a student is found responsible 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;
• there is property damage;
• the student operates a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol;
• the incident involves another serious violation;
• the student's alcohol-related behavior negatively impacts the learning environment.