Parents & Families FAQ

We understand that the student conduct process can be new and challenging to deal with when you are home and your student is at the University. We have compiled this list of questions and answers to help address some of the most common questions parents and families have about the student conduct system.

If you have additional questions, please contact our office at 315.443.3728.

The University values your role as a partner in helping your student learn and grow as individuals responsible for making their own ethical decisions. There are several things you can do to help your student before they arrive on campus to help prepare them for new experiences they may encounter during their educational journey.

Before your Student Arrives on Campus:

  • Have an open discussion with your student about the process of making good decisions, taking responsibility for their actions, and responding to peer pressure around common topics such as:
    • Substance use/abuse.
    • Healthy relationships.
    • Managing conflict and confrontation.
    • How to ask for help/knowing resources.
  • Make sure your student knows clearly what you expect and what you value.
    Remember that your student will look to you as a role model for dealing with and responding to difficult situations.
  • If you choose to discuss your own college experiences with your student, please keep in mind that they will look to your behavior as a guide for their own.
  • Establish clear communication expectations and boundaries. While students are responsible for their choices and should be prepared to be accountable for their actions, it is helpful for them to remember that you are there as a support system for them as they navigate new experiences.

Student Reports that they have been Accused of Violating the Syracuse University Code of Student Conduct:

  • Have an open discussion with your student about being honest and understanding what it means to be accountable;
  • Discuss intention vs. impact, and understanding that while we often evaluate our own actions by our intentions, others often evaluate our actions based on their impact;
  • Identify opportunities to avoid similar situations in the future and resources/skills they can use or develop to grow from an incident.

Remember that your student will be working to develop as an individual. Some of their choices may not be the decisions you would have made in college or would make now. Be open to talking with them about how they made their decisions.

  • Speak with your student regarding the situation. Make sure that you listen carefully and critically.
  • Make sure your student knows the student conduct process. Your student should review the Student Conduct Code, Sanctioning Guidelines, and the Student Conduct System Handbook.
  • Discuss with your student your expectations for their behavior at Syracuse University. Discuss ways your student can modify their behavior to meet those expectations.
  • Brainstorm with your student appropriate resources for help and support (e.g., alcohol education, personal counseling, etc.).
  • Let your student know where you stand regarding their behavior, while continuing to support them.
  • Brainstorm with your student ways to overcome past mistakes.
  • Be firm in your approach but always keep the lines of communication open.

Students may be advised throughout the student conduct process by a procedural advisor. Advisors must be a full-time member of the Syracuse University community (faculty/staff/student).

Parents/Guardians do not attend or participate in conduct meetings with students, as this is an educational and developmental process designed to promote self-advocacy and personal accountability. However, we encourage you to remind your student that regardless of their situation, you remain a support system for them, even if you are not physically present.

In cases involving sexual assault, stalking, gender-related harassment, or domestic/relationship violence, students are permitted to be advised by an advisor of their choice, which includes attorneys or parents.

You can also encourage your student to make use of the supports and resources provided by the University, including connecting with offices such as:

 

We appreciate that being accused of violating University policy is stressful and may be scary for some students. The Conduct Process is an educational and administrative process, not a legal one. It is designed to develop self-advocacy skills, as well as promote personal accountability.

Students do have the right to have a procedural advisor assist them throughout the conduct process as outlined in Part 5 of the Student Conduct System Handbook. Advisors must be a full time faculty, staff, or student of the University. Attorneys are not permitted in the student conduct process except in cases involving allegations of sex-based discrimination or harassment, such as sexual assault, sexual harassment, dating/domestic violence, or stalking (Title IX).

 

Any student may request disability accommodations in the conduct process.

It is a student’s responsibility to inform Community Standards of any accommodation needs in advance of a meeting. Community Standards does not have access to a student’s disability records with the University.

Requests for accommodations must be approved by the Center for Disability Resources. Please contact their office at disabilityservices@syr.edu if needed.

Since accommodations may require early planning and are not provided retroactively, students should contact Community Standards regarding accommodation needs or Disability Services as soon as possible

Disabilities do not excuse a student’s responsibility if their actions violated a policy, however, they are very important in determining the appropriate path forward for a student to ensure that they have an accessible educational experience.

The University values parents/guardians as partners in helping them improve their decision making and raising your standards of behavior. As such, the University will inform the parents/guardians of dependent students in the following situations:

  • In an emergency;
  •  After final outcome and finding of responsibility in all alcohol and drug-related violations for students under the age of 21; and/or
  • After final outcome and finding of responsibility in all violations resulting in conduct probation, removal from University housing, suspension, or expulsion.
  • In instances of concerning or repetitive substance use, regardless of age, which result in medical amnesty as outlined in Part 12.

All other records are protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and will require a waiver from your student before information can be shared by the University.

This letter is meant to notify you of the outcome of your student’s conduct process. It is our hope that students will communicate with their parents or family members prior to the arrival of a letter from our office. If you have questions about the letter, you are encouraged to discuss it with your student first, then reach out to our office as needed.

Additionally, staff in Community Standards are happy to discuss the general conduct process with parents or family members, but may be limited in what can be shared due to federal privacy laws (FERPA).  If a student has waived their FERPA rights with our office, then we can discuss the case more specifically.

In some instances, students standing can impact the experiences in which they can participate. As an example, students on conduct probation may not be able to serve as an executive officer of an organization, and it may prevent them from participating in study abroad opportunities during their probationary period. Certain experiences are privileges, and require a student to demonstrate reasonable and responsible decision-making.