Parent/Guardians/Advisors Resources

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) is a federal law that prohibits educational institutions from releasing information about a student’s educational record to third parties, including parents, without the consent of the student. Records related to student conduct or student discipline are classified as “educational records”. Some exceptions in the law do exist. Students are generally notified when parents will be contacted.

Bowling Green State University reserves the right to notify the parents/guardians of dependent student regarding any conduct situation, particularly alcohol or other drug violations. The University may also notify parents/guardians of non-dependent students who are under the age of 21 of alcohol or other drug violations. Parental notification may also be utilized discretionarily by administrators when permitted by FERPA or the consent of the student.

If a student wants a staff member in the Office of the Dean of Students staff to be able to discuss their student conduct or discipline records with a parent or parents, the student can send the Office of the Dean of Students a written statement granting such permission.

For more information, visit the BGSU Parent and Families web page.

Recognizing that participating in the conduct process can be a challenging experience for any student, the Office of the Dean of Students encourages students to consider bringing an advisor.

An advisor is any person selected by the student (reporting party or responding party) to assist and accompany them through the Student Conduct process. The advisor will not be allowed to disrupt the proceedings (e.g. causing emotional distress to the other party or attempting to disrupt the process) in any way.

Advisors can

• accompany the student in any conduct proceedings.
• advise the student in the preparation and presentation of information.
• advise the student in the preparation of any appeals.

Students are expected to ask and respond to questions on their own. The advisor may advise the student, but may not make a presentation or represent the student. The advisor may consult with their student (advisee), but may not speak on behalf of the student. Delays in the conduct process will not normally be allowed due to scheduling conflicts with advisors.

An incident report may be filed against a student or organization charged with a violation of a law that is also a violation of the Code of Student Conduct if both violations result from the same factual situation, independent or any pending criminal prosecution or civil litigation. Proceedings under the Code of Student Conduct may be carried out prior to, simultaneously with, or following criminal prosecution or civil litigation.

Attorneys representing students are welcome to serve as advisors in the conduct process. An attorney can accompany the student in any conduct proceeding, advise the student in the preparation and presentation of information, and advise the student in the preparation of any appeals. As with all advisors, attorneys may not speak on behalf of the student.

View more information on the Code of Student Conduct. If you have any additional questions or need additional resources please contact the Office of the Dean of Students.