Information for Parents and Family Members

Parent and Family Information

The Division of Student Affairs partners with the parents and family members of current students to provide support during the student’s career at Florida Memorial University. You can find basic information on how the Assistant Dean of Students office partners with students on this page.

1. Hospitalizations and Emergencies
   In the case of a student hospitalization or emergency, a parent or designated emergency contact will be contacted by the University. During this phone call information might be limited, however the staff member will provide a general account of the incident, the hospital where the student was taken, and the information for the hospital (phone number, address, web site). Our staff will remain in contact with you to gather details and coordinate university resources as necessary.
2. Emergency Contact Information
   Each student is required to register emergency contact information with the university. As parents and family members you are unable to access or update this information. Therefore, we ask that you work with your student to assure the information listed as emergency contact information is accurate.
3. Contacting the Office of the Assistant Dean of Students
   The Office of the Assistant Dean of Students should be contacted when your student does not sound like themselves, this can include, but is not limited to times of extreme stress, academic trouble, issues within a family affecting a student in their academic endeavors, or in the case of health problems or an incident which would impede their success at FMU The Office of the Dean of Students can be contacted Monday – Friday, 9:00- 5:00 pm at (305) 626-3722. Outside of these hours, contact the Florida Memorial University Campus Safety Department at (305) 626-3771.

When contacting the Office of the Assistant Dean of Students, keep in mind that the office does comply with FERPA regulations to protect student privacy.

Parents/guardians of students under the age of twenty-one may be notified when a student is found responsible for violating the Florida Memorial University Policy on Alcohol and Other Drugs when any of the following occur:

Students endanger themselves or other students while under the influence of alcohol or other substances. Specific instances include DUI, fighting, alcohol poisoning, and hospitalization. When the Assistant Dean of Students/designee determines that any future violations of the Institute’s policy will most likely result in suspension from Florida Memorial University.
When a hearing officer determines that any future violations of the Institute’s policy will likely result in removal from housing.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.

FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children’s education records. These rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level. Students to whom the rights have transferred are “eligible students.”

• Parents or eligible students have the right to inspect and review the student’s education records maintained by the school. Schools are not required to provide copies of records unless, for reasons such as great distance, it is impossible for parents or eligible students to review the records. Schools may charge a fee for copies.
• Parents or eligible students have the right to request that a school correct records which they believe to be inaccurate or misleading. If the school decides not to amend the record, the parent or eligible student then has the right to a formal hearing. After the hearing, if the school still decides not to amend the record, the parent or eligible student has the right to place a statement with the record setting forth his or her view about the contested information.
• Generally, schools must have written permission from the parent or eligible student in order to release any information from a student’s education record. However, FERPA allows schools to disclose those records, without consent, to the following parties or under the following conditions (34 CFR § 99.31):
• School officials with legitimate educational interest;
• Other schools to which a student is transferring;
• Specified officials for audit or evaluation purposes;
• Appropriate parties in connection with financial aid to a student;
• Organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the school;
• Accrediting organizations;
• To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena;
• Appropriate officials in cases of health and safety emergencies; and
• State and local authorities, within a juvenile justice system, pursuant to specific State law.

Schools may disclose, without consent, “directory” information such as a student’s name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, honors and awards, and dates of attendance. However, schools must tell parents and eligible students about directory information and allow parents and eligible students a reasonable amount of time to request that the school not disclose directory information about them. Schools must notify parents and eligible students annually of their rights under FERPA. The actual means of notification (special letter, inclusion in a PTA bulletin, student handbook, or newspaper article) is left to the discretion of each school.

For additional information, you may call 1-800-USA-LEARN (1-800-872-5327) (voice). Individuals who use TDD may use the Federal Relay Service.

Or you may contact us at the following address:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20202-8520