7.1.10.1 SCOPE

This policy applies to all students of the College and pertains to the disclosure of certain information from their education records. The policy governs notifications to a covered student’s parents, legal guardians, and emergency contacts. Additionally, it establishes obligations applicable to all College personnel involved in behavioral intervention and student conduct adjudication, including all offices within the Division of Student Affairs and Campus Life and the Division of Academic Affairs, including but not limited to the Academic Support Center and the Registrar’s Office. Incidents that occur on or off campus may may trigger a disclosure under this policy, if they occur within or directly impact a College program or activity.

7.1.10.2 POLICY STATEMENT

Ithaca College prioritizes student health, safety, and well-being and is committed to responding to alcohol and other drug related incidents, as well as other serious medical and/or mental health incidents, in a manner that supports student learning and risk reduction. The College, in its discretion as described in this policy, may notify a parent, legal guardian, or emergency contact of a student when the College determines that the student is involved in a health or safety emergency or has been involved in certain alcohol or controlled substance violations, including but not limited to incidents resulting in hospitalization. In accordance with New York Education Law § 6438 d (Beau’s Law), the College makes this policy publicly available online as part of this Policy Manual*. The College’s primary concern is the health and safety of students. Notification decisions are made using professional judgment and in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

7.1.10.3 DEFINITIONS

Violation. As used in this policy “violation” means any alcohol or controlled substance violation, which includes any violation by a student of College policy, federal law, state law, or local law involving the use, possession, distribution, or misuse of alcohol or a controlled substance, including incidents resulting in hospitalization or overdose.

Emergency Contact. An individual designated by a student in the College’s records to be contacted in the event of an emergency.

Parent or Legal Guardian. A student’s parent or legal guardian as indicated in the student’s application documentation.

7.1.10.4 GUIDELINES

  1. Notification Authority 
    The College reserves the right to notify the student’s parent, legal guardian, or emergency contact when the College determines that a student has been involved in a health or safety emergency or, if the student is under 21, any alcohol or controlled substance violation, including but not limited to when any such incident involves any of the following:
    • Violations that pose a serious risk to the student’s health or safety;
    • A student being admitted to a hospital unit (i.e., after evaluation in an emergency room);
    • In accordance with the Student Conduct procedures, such as any student being found responsible for a third or subsequent violation related to alcohol or other drugs.
  2. Discretion 
    Notification is not automatic. Each situation will be evaluated individually, taking into account all known facts and circumstances and the student’s well-being.
  3. FERPA Compliance and Training 
    The College shall comply with FERPA and shall conduct regular training for relevant administrators and staff regarding FERPA’s health and safety emergency provisions and their application to alcohol- and controlled substance-related incidents.
  4. Method of Notification
    Notification, when made, may occur by phone, email, or other reasonable means and will be initiated by an appropriate College official as soon as practicable.

7.1.10.5 VIOLATIONS

This policy does not provide immunity from disciplinary action. Students found responsible for alcohol or controlled substance violations may be subject to sanctions under the College’s Code of Conduct or other applicable policies, regardless of whether parental or emergency contact notification occurs. Under certain circumstances, other College policies may provide amnesty from sanction, including the College’s Medical Amnesty Policy and the Amnesty When Reporting Violent Crimessubsection under Section 7.1.2.3.7 of the Student Conduct Code.

* Please note that the statute requires the College to disclose the standards in this Policy as they apply to students under the age of 21, but the College will apply the Policy to all students regardless of age.

Last Updated: June 25, 2026