Information for Parents
Your son or daughter has begun yet another phase in his or her life, which can prove to be both exciting and challenging. Parents’ involvement can enhance the learning process as they go through these moments of failure and successes. Therefore, this information will help assist parents in understanding the expectations we hold for our students and the disciplinary process that guides us here at Stonehill. Below is information, including answers to questions commonly asked by parents, and some hints that might help you and your son or daughter to prepare for what lies ahead.
For a Brief Outline of Stonehill College’s Student Disciplinary Process, please refer to pages 127-129 of the Hill Book
How Can I best help my son/daughter through the disciplinary process?
Before the arrival at the campus:
- Have an open discussion with your son/daughter about the process of making right choices, peer pressure and taking responsibility for his/her actions.
- Make sure that your son/daughter is clearly informed about your expectations and the values you hold.
- Be open to discussing difficult topics such as substance abuse, alcohol use, intimate relationships, and other risky behavior.
If your son/daughter is documented for a violation of the Community Standards or another policy of the College:
- Make sure that your son/daughter knows the disciplinary process.
- Have your son/daughter review the Community Standards and Student Disciplinary System, which he/she should have in his/her possession and can access on-line.
- Encourage your son or daughter to speak with you about the incident and help him/her to process all the information.
- Have an open discussion with your son or daughter about the expectations the College has in regards to his/her behavior.
- Discuss ways to modify his/her behavior to meet those expectations.
- Encourage your son or daughter to seek help and support and direct him/her to the available resources on or off campus (see Services and Resources).
- Challenge them to ask the questions and take the initiative in the process.
- Continue to support your son or daughter emotionally while he/she resolves the issue.
Can a parent/guardian and/or legal counsel be present with my son or daughter during the hearing process?
Hearings and informal conferences are closed meetings; therefore, parents/guardians are not permitted to attend. Similarly, a legal counsel cannot represent a student at a hearing; however, a student may choose an advocate from the Stonehill community to accompany him or her to the hearing. An advocate may not participate in the hearing directly, but he/she may confer with the student during the process.
Will the parents/guardian be notified of the incident or the outcome?
Stonehill College recognizes that students and parents are our partners in promoting a healthy and productive educational experience. We believe parents assist students in fulfilling their educational goals through open dialogue. Therefore, in accordance with the guidelines set forth by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Stonehill College reserves the right to notify parents/guardians of dependent students when a student:
- Is under 21 and is found responsible for an alcohol or other drug violation.
- Is found responsible for a violation and the sanction indicates that the student’s residency status or student status at the College may be in jeopardy.
- Is at risk of harming themselves or others or is experiencing a psychological or life-threatening medical emergency.
- Or at any time the College decides it would be in the best interest of the student, the community, or the College to do so.
Typically, parents/guardians are notified of any of the above via a letter sent home at the conclusion of the case. The exception to this is if there is a psychological or life-threatening emergency in which the parents/guardian would be contacted immediately.