Frequently Asked Questions: Parents and Families
The following information is designed to provide you with information that can help you best support your student.
We recognize that students make mistakes. Through our process, we want students to learn where they could have made different decisions and offer strategies for making better choices in the future. We also want to help students understand their responsibilities as citizens and how the decisions they make now may impact their future.
NDSU student responsibilities are outlined within the Code. As citizens, actions typically carry consequences. This is not different at NDSU. When students are found responsible for violating policy, they may face sanctions and/or conditions. Sanctions and conditions may include warnings, behavioral probation, educational classes, community service, evaluations, and even separation from NDSU. The intent of sanctions and/or conditions is to assist with learning, to provide an opportunity for reflection and growth and to deter future policy violations.
These are some of the common questions we have received from parents and family members. Please remember that the questions and answers are meant to be general in nature.
If my student is found responsible for violating policy, what will happen?
Our process allows for flexibility in determining the outcome in each case. Decisions are based upon information learned about the student, the circumstances and seriousness of the incident and the student's conduct history. We do not have set sanctions for each particular violation, but we do have typical outcomes that allow for a level of consistency and fairness. Sanctions are meant to hold students accountable, to be educational, and may also be used in interest of safety and security for the NDSU community.
I have a question about my student's conduct case, who can I talk to?
Our office can answer general questions about the complaint resolution process, but in order to speak with your about your student's specific conduct case, we will likely need to first obtain your student's permission to do so in writing. This is a requirement of a federal law known as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Your son or daughter must initiate this permission and may do so by completing a release.
Will I be notified if my student violates policy?
It is not the practice of NDSU to notify parents when their student is involved in an incident, however students are routinely encouraged to communicate with their parents and family during the hearing process. This is particularly true when a student is facing serious academic or financial implications.
Students found responsible for violating University alcohol and/or other drug policies while under the age of 21 are subject to the Parental Notification Policy.
My student has an appointment to meet about an allegation of misconduct. What can I do to help?
It is to be expected that students and parents and/or family members may be anxious about the complaint resolution process. To address this anxiety, it is often helpful to become better informed about how our process works. You may review an overview of the process or read the Code.
You can best help your student by being a support person and encouraging your student to be honest within the process and to take responsibility for choices and actions. It is understandable that you may want to take a more active role, but it is important that each student is responsible for his or her own conduct.
