Parent Notification Information

The goal is to enlist parental support for fostering more appropriate student behavior to create a safer community environment and reduce the many negative impacts of substance abuse.

Research shows that guardians continue to have significant influence over the attitudes and behaviors of their college-age students. The University believes that students benefit from discussions with their parents or legal guardians about the effects of alcohol or use of controlled substances and the importance of community standards.

KU has chosen to notify guardians when a Lawrence campus student under the age of 21 is found responsible for an alcohol or drug policy violation.



Following the first known violation of university policy or state law regarding drugs, guardians are notified.



Following the first known violation of university policy or state law regarding alcohol, when the suspected use of alcohol has:

• Placed the student in a life-threatening situation as determined by an attending medical professional or as reasonably determined by the Vice Provost for Student Affairs or designee.
• Caused the student to be in a physical or mental state that has prompted intervention by university personnel, police, or medical personnel out of concern for the student’s wellbeing or to address the student’s conduct.
• Endangered the health or welfare of another person, including any report by police of arrest for driving on campus while under the influence of alcohol.

Following the second known violation of university policy or state law regarding alcohol, guardians are notified.

Following a violation of university policy or state law regarding alcohol or other drugs that results in the cancellation of the student’s university housing contract, guardians are notified.

The letter to guardians is a standard letter that informs them that their under 21-year-old student has been found responsible of violating the University’s Drug and Alcohol Policy and/or state or city alcohol or drug laws. It provides information for the guardian on drug and alcohol use and abuse, explains University resources, and gives the guardian someone to contact at the University if they so desire.

KU will notify guardians of any student under the age of 21 when the University becomes aware of a violation of the University’s Drug and Alcohol Policy and/or state or city alcohol or drug laws. Practically speaking, it is much easier for KU to be aware of violations that occur in University-owned housing.

If a student is 21 or over, the guardians will not be notified unless a medical professional has determined that the incident constitutes a health or safety issue. This practice is in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act which allows notification only to the parent/legal guardian for students who are under 21 and who have violated a drug or alcohol law or policy.

Guardians are notified when a student is found responsible for violating the policy, not the initial charge. However, in the case of a possible alcohol poisoning the guardian may be notified earlier.

There is no way to opt out at this time. 

Guardians will receive written notification of the violation, but not the detailed circumstances. The details are available on request from either the student or the University.

Yes, if the University is officially informed of the violation. Practically speaking, the University generally is not made aware of off-campus violations.

KU notifies guardians at the second violation of the drug and/or alcohol policy in most circumstances although some drug violations are notified on the first violation. Guardians are informed of a possible alcohol poisoning.

Visit the Alcohol and KU website.