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Parental Notification Policy
The University of Pennsylvania is a large, diverse, coeducational, urban
academic community. It offers tremendous freedom to the individual and expects
that each member of the University community will act in a responsible manner.
The University does not take on a parental role in relation to its students but
rather assumes that students are young adults who can make their own decisions
and take basic responsibility for their own lives. Thus, most communication from
the University is directed to the student. The University has adopted the
following policy regarding parental notification:
A. In cases involving serious injury and in emergency situations, the
University may notify the parents or guardians of a student. Further, in such
situations, the University will notify the individual(s) designated by the
student.
B. In an emergency situation in which rape has been committed, the victim
will be asked whether notification of others should occur. All rape cases are
handled according to special procedures developed by the Department of Public
Safety, described in the Safer Living guide distributed to all students.
C. The Office of the Vice Provost for University Life (VPUL) may disclose to the parents
or legal guardians of a student under the age of 21 information regarding the
student's violation of any University policy governing the use or possession of
alcohol or drugs when any of the following circumstances are present:
- The student has had previous, significant drug- or alcohol-related
violations;
- The student has committed a violation which was accompanied by other serious
misconduct involving personal injury to him- or herself, others, or damage to
property; or the student's violation could result in a separation either from
the University or from the College Houses.
- A student whose parents or guardians are to be notified under any of these
circumstances will be informed before such notification occurs and given an
opportunity to initiate contact with his or her parents.
D. In other than emergency situations and situations involving notification
regarding alcohol or drug violations, a decision to notify parents or guardians
about a student's activities will be made by the Office of the Vice Provost for
University Life, or another senior student affairs officer, after consultation
with the student's school office, if appropriate. Other offices, such as
Counseling and Psychological Services, also may be consulted as appropriate.
Examples of these other situations which may warrant parental notification
include medical leaves of absence, emotional difficulties, and missing persons.
Almanac, Vol. 46, No. 15, December 14,
1999
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