Frequently Asked Questions

My son/daughter received an e-mail about a conduct code violation. Can I call the Office and find out more about what happened?

FERPA protects the privacy of all students’ educational records. Education records are defined as any records which are directly related to a student and are maintained by an educational agency or institution. Common examples of student records protected by FERPA include grade reports and disciplinary files. Due to this privacy protection the Office of Student Life & Conduct cannot give out information about a student’s disciplinary record, even to parents who are paying their child’s tuition, unless that student has filed a release of information form, which waives their FERPA protection. This is generally done during orientation. If a form is not on file with the University the student must come to our office and sign a release in person.

Will my student be able to tell you his/her side of the story?

Yes, that is the purpose of meeting with the student. A student who is suspected of a conduct code violation is given the opportunity to meet face to face with a University Dean to discuss the charge at issue and their account of what took place.

My student was charged criminally. Why go through the Student Conduct Office too?

Members of the UL Lafayette community and their visitors are subject to all university rules and regulations, including those contained in the Code of Student Conduct. Additionally, those individuals are also simultaneously subject to all local, state, or federal laws. Though most students attend their hearing alone, any person can serve as an advisor for a student in the conduct process. Parents, family members, academic advisors, and friends are the most typical individuals asked by students to serve as advisors. Advisors are allowed to attend meetings with students but are not permitted to speak on the student’s behalf.

Can I be present during my student’s hearing process?

You are welcome to be with your student during the hearing process, as long as the student has signed the FERPA release form and is alright with you being there.

How can I best support my student in this process?

The most important way you can help your student is by being supportive while holding them accountable for their decisions if they were involved in the alleged incident. You can also help identify and encourage them to seek resources on campus for intervention opportunities regarding alcohol or drug use and abuse, anger management, and others so that your student can be successful at UL Lafayette. Finally, allow and expect your student to make the necessary arrangements to have this matter resolved. This includes setting appointments, attending meetings, and completing sanctions. When family members intervene and take over, it is not generally educationally beneficial for the student or for effectively resolving the matter.

I know my student could not have done this so why is he/she being put through the conduct process?

Occasionally, information conveyed to our office through students’ statements and police reports does not coincide with information conveyed to parents. Developmentally, this is a period of exploration, experimentation, and testing for students. They may be in a period of transition from late adolescence to adulthood. They may also be away from home and the daily influence of their parents for the first time. As students are testing the beliefs and values they learned at home, they may sometimes make choices that are inconsistent with these values. Such testing is part of the development process and is normal, however, students must also learn that the choices they make may not be healthy and may have consequences.