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 “I would explain to the father that FERPA prevents me from discussing a student's record. I would tell him about our waiver form that authorizes our office to disclose information to a designated person, like a parent, and that any student can come to our office and execute the form. He should ask his child to do so. He should also ask his child to come to see me. (I would contact the child on my own but prefer that the parent and child talk about the matter with my eventual inclusion in mind.)In the interim I can talk to the father in general terms regarding college policies and procedures. Students must take 12 hours or more to be considered full time. If his daughter drops below that threshold, she can petition housing to allow her to remain and can also speak with financial aid. Financial aid is often based on an academic year rather than a semester, so his daughter could take extra credits in the spring to keep her financial aid for the year. Health insurance may also be flexible in the matter since she initially registered for a full load and will take a full load during the next semester. Alternatively, she can purchase student health insurance which is inexpensive but covers emergencies. The student health center is available to all students for a minimal fee. I hope this gives him sufficient information to reassure him. I would then tell him while our advisers advise students, that students are responsible for making their own decisions. Advisers cannot know the particular gap in each student's knowledge of all college policies, procedures, rules and regulations, although we try to anticipate most things students need and ask questions to determine individual ones, we are not clairvoyant. Actually, college is a good place for students to make mistakes and learn how to manage the consequences of them. It is a transitional environment that teaches adolescents to become strong adults who make good decisions. Making poor choices in college may cause a student to waste a few dollars and several months, but they don't lose their career, their spouse, their life savings or their life. I would ask if he had any questions about general college policies and invite him to call me after his daughter executes a FERPA waiver.” ~ JoAnn M. Schrass, Mary Washington College, October 13 The Mentor is published by Penn State's Division of Undergraduate Studies Available online at www.psu.edu/dus/mentor/ Privacy and Legal Statements | Copyright | © The Pennsylvania State University | All rights reserved | |
