Ethic of Engagement for Family Members and Student Privacy

from Carnegie Mellon Parent & Family Guide

Important Relationships

Ethic of Engagement

for Family Members and Student Privacy

cmu.edu/hub/privacy cmu.edu/health-services/ about-us/#privacy As your student makes the transition to college, your role as a parent or family member is also transitioning. An important outcome of the undergraduate experience is for our students to develop the life skills necessary to successfully navigate their personal affairs and develop independence as young adults. Alongside our value for student autonomy and agency, we also know that parents and family members play an important and supportive role in their student’s life. Family members are key partners in our students’ success. To that end, we provide parents and family members with information about university resources.

In times when a family member wants to share a concern or consult with the university, we welcome your contact so that we can be a sounding board on the particular circumstances facing your student. In turn, should we have an elevated concern about your student’s welfare, we will partner with them to reach out to you so we can work together. In cases when a student is exhibiting signs that they will not appropriately direct such engagement, and we are concerned about their safety and well-being, Student Affairs leadership will review the situation to determine next steps, which often includes outreach to family.

For non-emergency, routine requests for information, it is important to note that federal privacy law often restricts parent and family access to student educational and health records. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects the privacy of student education records and student medical treatment records. FERPA restricts parent and family member access to student educational and medical records unless they have direct written consent from the student.

Many parents and family members find the FERPA restrictions to be a significant change from the K–12 U.S. educational environment. Should a student wish to provide access to release their educational and/or health records to a parent or family member, consent forms are available on The HUB website. Additional information about health records privacy can be found on the University Health Services website.