Mediation

Parent FAQ's

Will I be notified if my student is charged with violating the Student Conduct Code?
How can I talk to you about my student’s case?
What is FERPA?
What records does FERPA cover?
What is my role as a parent in the disciplinary process at UNLV?
Can I attend the Student Conduct meetings and hearings?
Do I need to hire an attorney to represent my student?
How are sanctions decided?
What does disciplinary probation mean?
Does the outcome of a disciplinary hearing go on my student’s record?
If my student is charged criminally, why does he/she have to go through the Office of Student Conduct too?
If an incident takes place off campus, why does the University get involved?

Will I be notified if my student is charged with violating the Student Conduct Code?
We may notify parents or legal guardians if a student under 21 years of age is found responsible for an alcohol or controlled substance violation as allowed by the amendments to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. If your student is considered a minor (under the age of eighteen), we will notify the parents or legal guardians if your student is placed on suspension or expulsion from the University. We encourage students to speak with their parents and believe that students should take responsibility for their actions as adults. In addition, you may be notified if there is an imminent risk to your student’s health, safety or welfare.

How can I talk to you about my student’s case?
The Office of Student Conduct cannot discuss your student’s case with you due to FERPA unless a release form is filled out. You may download this form here and have your student fill it out or you may receive a hard copy through the Office of Student Conduct. 

What is FERPA?
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. They are:

1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the university receives a request for access. Students should submit to Student Enrollment Services, the dean, head of the academic department, or other appropriate official, written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The university official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the university official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes are inaccurate or misleading. Students may ask the university to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the university official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the university decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the university will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
3. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception which permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the university in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the university has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Regents; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate education interest if the official needs to review an educational record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility. Upon request, the university discloses education records without consent to officials of another school, upon request, in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.

What records does FERPA cover?
FERPA regulates privacy protection to all student education records such as transcripts, grade reports and most disciplinary files.

What is my role as a parent in the disciplinary process at UNLV?
Your role is to guide your student through the process, helping them accept responsibility for their actions, and help your student understand and accept the sanction imposed on them.

Can I attend the Student Conduct meetings and hearings?
Your student has the right to have an advisor present and that can be you. However, the advisor may not speak on behalf of the student at any time.

Do I need to hire an attorney to represent my student?
You do not need to hire an attorney to represent your student. Some students choose to hire an attorney to accompany them, but the attorney serves like an advisor. The attorney may not speak on behalf of the student.

How are sanctions decided?
Sanctions are determined by considering the evidence and information presented to the hearing officer or panel. Some factors that impact the sanction decision are the student’s role in the incident, the nature of the violation and the effect the incident had on others and the University community.

What does disciplinary probation mean?
Disciplinary probation terms will be determined at the time the probation is imposed but may include exclusion from participation in privileges or extracurricular activities. Students on probation are not in disciplinary good standing with the University.

Does the outcome of a disciplinary hearing go on my student’s record?
If a student is suspended from the University, a notation is placed on the official transcript marked “Disciplinary Suspension Effective (date) to (date)”.  The same applies if a student is expelled from the University where the transcript mark shall read: “Disciplinary Expulsion Effective (date)”. In a student is found responsible for violating the Academic Misconduct Policy, a possible sanction is a Conduct Notation on the student’s transcript. For any sanctions imposed that are less than suspension or expulsion, notations are not typically placed on academic records.

If my student is charged criminally, why does he/she have to go through the Office of Student Conduct too?
The criminal justice system and the Student Conduct Code are not mutually exclusive. Since your student is a member of the University community, he/she is held responsible for upholding the standards of behavior outlined in the Student Conduct Code as well as all state, local and federal laws.

If an incident takes place off campus, why does the University get involved?
The University has an interest in maintaining a safe community with appropriate standards of behavior for students to follow. These standards are outlined in the Student Conduct Code and apply to on-campus and off-campus behavior, which can impact the University community and mission.