Student Success

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Parent Notification Information

KU notifies parents/legal guardians of any student under the age of 21 at the very first known violation of the drug policy and at the second known violation of the alcohol policy, so long as the first violation did not involve a threat to the health of the student and/or others. 

For the complete policy visit: https://documents.ku.edu/policies/Student_Success/
VPSS/Parent_Notification_Policy.htm.

Frequently Asked Questions about Parental Notification


What is the goal of parental notification?
The goal is to enlist parental support for fostering more appropriate student behavior to create a safer community environment and reduce the many negative impacts of substance abuse.

Why does KU notify parents/legal guardians?
Research shows that parents/legal guardians continue to have significant influence over the attitudes and behaviors of their college-age students. The University believes that students benefit from discussions with their parents/ legal guardians about the effects of alcohol or use of controlled substances and the importance of community standards.

When is parent notification necessary?
The University of Kansas will notify parents/legal guardians of students under the age of 21:

  • Following the first known violation of University policy or State Law regarding drugs.  The notification will be in writing.
  • Following the first known violation of University policy or State law regarding alcohol, when the use of alcohol has
  • placed the student in a life-threatening situation as determined by an attending medical professional.  The notification will be by telephone.
  • endangered the health or welfare of another person, including any report by police of arrest for driving on campus while under the influence of alcohol.  The notification will be in writing.
  • Following the second known violation of University policy or State Law regarding alcohol. The notification will be made in writing.
  • Following a violation of University policy or State Law regarding alcohol or other drugs that results in the cancellation of the student’s University housing contract.  The notification will be made by telephone.
  • Following the student’s referral to CAPS and/or DCCCA for an alcohol assessment through KU’s Mandatory Alcohol Assessment policy.  The notification will be made in writing.

In addition, the University of Kansas will notify the parents/legal guardians of any student enrolled on the Lawrence campus, regardless of age, when there is a life-threatening situation as determined by an attending medical professional, unless the student specifically instructs the University not to notify his/her parent/legal guardian.  This notification will be made by telephone.

What is the Parent Notification Letter?
The letter to parents/legal guardians is a standard letter that informs the parents/legal guardians that their under-21-year-old student has been found responsible for violating the University’s Drug and Alcohol Policy and/or state or city alcohol or drug laws.  It provides information for the parents/legal guardians on drug and alcohol use and abuse, explains University resources, and gives the parent someone to contact at the University if desired.

Does the Parent Notification Policy apply only to students who live on campus?
KU will notify parents/legal guardians of any student under the age of 21 when the University becomes aware of a violation of the University’s Drug and Alcohol Policy and/or state or city alcohol or drug laws.  Practically speaking, KU is more aware of violations that occur in University-owned housing.

What if the student is 21 or over?
If a student is 21 or over, the parent/legal guardian will be notified when there is a life-threatening situation as determined by an attending medical professional, unless the student specifically instructs the University not to notify his/her parent/legal guardian.  This practice is in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act which allows notification only to the parent/legal guardian for students who are under 21 and who have violated a drug or alcohol law or policy.

Will parents be notified if a student is charged with a violation of the policy?
No.  Parents/legal guardians are notified when a student is found responsible for violating the policy, not the initial charge.

May parents opt out of the KU Parental Notification program?
No.

Will parents be given full facts about the alcohol/drug violation?
Parents/legal guardians will receive written notification of the violation, but not the detailed circumstances.  The details are available on request from either the student or the University.

Does the Parent Notification Policy apply to off-campus alcohol and drug violation?
Yes, if the University is officially informed of the violation.  Practically speaking, the University generally is not made aware of off-campus violations.

Does KU notify parents of every alcohol or drug violation?
KU notifies parents/legal guardians at the very first violation of the drug policy and at the second violation of the alcohol policy.

Where can I learn more about the alcohol and drug education programs that may be required for my student? You can visit the Student Health Services Wellness Resource Center’s website: www.studenthealth.ku.edu/wellness/wrc.shtml


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The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression and genetic information in the University’s programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director of the Office of Institutional Opportunity and Access, IOA@ku.edu, 1246 W. Campus Road, Room 153A, Lawrence, KS, 66045, (785)864-6414, 711 TTY.