Faq Parents

Frequently Asked Questions from Parents

Our office realizes the importance a parent plays in the role of their son or daughter through their college experience. We have compiled a list of questions that parents often ask us when their child is scheduled to see us. Hopefully, the answer to your question is below, but if not, please feel free to contact us.

FAQ

Will I be notified if my student gets in trouble: i.e., if student is charged with violating the Code of Student Conduct?

We typically notify parents if their student has violated the University's alcohol or drug policies as allowed by amendments to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. This act governs the release of educational records. We encourage students to speak with their parents and believe that as adults, students should take responsibility for initiating the conversation. This notification is initiated so that we can all work together to resolve the issue and help the student.

If my student is charged with violating the Code of Conduct, what happens?

What is my role in the university judicial process? How can I help my student?

You can help guide the student through the process and be supportive while holding the student accountable to your expectations and the University's. You can also help identify and provide necessary interventions, such as alcohol or drug evaluations, anger management, and others, so that your student can be successful at Alabama . Allow and expect the student to set appointments, attend meetings, and fulfill sanctions. It is usually not helpful to the educational development of the student, or resolution of the matter, for you to take over the process from your student.

Can I be in a disciplinary meeting or hearing with my student?

The student may have an advisor present, who may be a parent. The role of the advisor is to support and advise the student but not to speak or represent the student.

Do I need to hire an attorney to represent my student?

Students may have an attorney serve as an advisor but may not be represented by counsel. Students most often hire attorneys when there are criminal charges that relate to an incident.

How are sanctions decided?

Sanctions are determined by considering the following factors: nature of the violation, the student's role in the incident, the effect of the incident on others and the student, the student's developmental and educational needs, and the student's prior disciplinary record. Mitigating and aggravating circumstances are considered. There are also a number of violations that have minimum or standard sanctions.

My student was placed on probation? What does it mean?

Probation is notice to the student who has violated the Code of Conduct; should the student violate the Code of Conduct during a probationary period, the student's sanctions will be progressively more serious, including the possibility of suspension form the University.

Can my student appeal a disciplinary decision?

Students can request a review on three bases: 1) appropriateness of sanction; 2) process not followed; and/or 3) there is new information available that was not available at the time of the original hearing. Students have five (5) school days from receipt of decision/sanctions to request a review.

Does the outcome go on my student's record?

Notations are not placed on the academic transcript. The University does keep a disciplinary record for a period of seven (7) years. The student must sign a release in the Office of Student Judicial Affairs for information from that record to be released.

Will a disciplinary record keep my student from getting into law school, graduate school, etc.?

A disciplinary record does not automatically exclude a student from further study, jobs, etc. That usually depends on the type or severity of misconduct in which a student is involved. A disciplinary record may lead an admissions office to more closely scrutinize the student's application. We will only release information about a student's disciplinary record to another school or potential employer as allowed by the records policy.

Why is a particular rule or policy in place?

Policies are designed to support the University's educational mission. They are meant to support a safe environment where people can study, work, and live without undue interference. They are also designed to build and support the academic and social community, teach students responsibility and interdependence, as well as promote moral and ethical development.

My student was charged criminally. Why go through Judicial Affairs too?

The criminal justice system and the University's Code of Conduct are not mutually exclusive. By virtue of being a student, your student is held responsible for upholding the standards of behavior in the Code of Conduct, as well as public laws. A Code of Conduct violation may be heard if the criminal case is not completed or if the criminal charges are dropped.

This incident happened off campus. Why is the University involved?

The University has an interest in maintaining a safe community and appropriate standards of conduct for its students. This includes both on-campus and off-campus behavior, which can have an impact on the University and the University's mission.

I know my student could not have done this; I didn't raise my student that way. So why is my student being charged?

Developmentally this is a period of exploration, experimentation, and testing for students. They may have a period of transition from late adolescence to adulthood. They may also be away from home and the daily influence of their parents for the first time. As students are testing the beliefs and values they learned at home, they may make choices that are inconsistent with these values. Such testing is part of the developmental process and is normal. However, students must also learn that the choices they make may not be healthy and may have consequences.