Frequently Asked Questions - Parents

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

   We notify parents of financially dependent students under the age of 21 if their son or daughter has been charged with an alcohol or a drug violation as allowed by the 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. We also encourage students to sign releases that allow us to speak with parents about a situation, so that we can all work together to resolve it and help the student.

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

   You can help your student by being supportive while holding the student accountable to your expectations and the university's. You can also help by supporting necessary interventions, such as alcohol or drug education, anger management, and other forms of education, so that your student can be successful at UNH. 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, for you to take over the process from your student.

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

   The student has an opportunity to meet with the complainant (the person who wrote the incident report) to discuss the allegations of misconduct. For more detailed information about the different resolution options for students charged with misconduct allegations, please visit the following webpage: www.unh.edu/JPO/SRRR.htm and review information under the heading - Informal Action.

4. Can I be in an informal meeting or judicial hearing with my student?

   Parents are permitted only at the discretion of the complainant to attend an informal meeting, and only at the discretion of the Hearing Officer or Hearing Board Chairperson to attend a hearing. Most often parents are not permitted to attend these meetings because their presence often creates more difficulties for the student and staff participating in the judicial process.

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

   Students may not have an attorney serve as an advisor in a judicial hearing unless there are criminal charges pending or likely to be pending as a result of any misconduct that occurred on or off campus.

6. How are sanctions decided?

   Sanctions are determined by considering the following factors: the nature of the violation, the student's role in the incident, the effect of the incident on others and on the student, and the student's prior disciplinary record. Mitigating and aggravating circumstances are considered. There are also a number of violations that have minimum sanctions, such as sexual misconduct with penetration (suspension), and distribution of drugs (dismissal).

7. My student was placed on disciplinary probation? What does that 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 loss of University Housing, or suspension or dismissal from the university.

8. Can my student appeal a disciplinary decision?

   The student may request an appeal of a decision of a Hearing Officer or Hearing Board on any or all of the following four criteria which is reviewed by an Appellate Officer or Appellate Board: insufficient evidence, new evidence, procedural error, or inappropriate sanction. This last appeal criteria is limited to sanctions of eviction, suspension, or dismissal only.

9. Will a disciplinary record keep my student from getting into medical 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.

10. Why is a particular rule or policy in place?

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

11. My student was charged criminally. Why go through Judicial and Mediation Programs too?

    The criminal justice system and UNH Student 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 UNH Student Code of Conduct, as well as local and state laws.

12. 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. Your son or daughter is a student regardless of whether the alleged misconduct takes place on the campus, across the street from campus, or across town. UNH is particularly concerned about high-risk drinking and drug use by students due to the threat these behaviors pose to student health, safety, and academic success. This includes both on-campus and off-campus behavior, which can have an adverse impact on the university community and the its mission.

13. 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 and testing for students. They may be in a period of transition from late adolescence to adulthood facing many new challenges. They may also be away from home for the first time and dealing with issues of independence in the more unstructured environment of a university. In addition students are adjusting to the expectations and values of the university, just as they did at home. As students are testing these expectations and values, they may make choices that are inconsistent with them. This testing is a normal part of the developmental process. However, students must also learn that the choices they make may not be healthy and have consequences.

14. How can I learn more about parent involvement at the university?
    

    You can contact the UNH Parents Association at 603-862-3585 or visit their web site at: www.unh.edu/parents/