In cases including medical emergency transports, involuntary medical leaves, interim suspension, interim residence suspension, residence suspension, suspension, and/or expulsion, the Vice President for Student Affairs or their designee may notify parents of the separation and all circumstances surrounding the separation.

Additionally, the Vice President for Student Affairs or their designee may release information on a student if it is determined that there is an articulable and significant threat to the health or safety of the student or other individuals. This disclosure may be made to those persons whose knowledge of the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals, and may include parents and guardians.

The scope of notification for non-substance related violations applies to all SUNY Purchase students.

In accordance with FERPA and New York State Education Law §6438-d (Beau’s Law), SUNY Purchase maintains the following policy regarding when a parent, guardian, or designated emergency contact may be notified if a student under the age of 21 is involved in certain alcohol- or controlled substance-related incidents.

Purpose

Effective July 1, 2026, and in accordance with FERPA and New York State Education Law §6438-d, this policy establishes the framework under which SUNY Purchase may notify a student’s parent(s), guardian(s), or designated emergency contact(s) when a student under the age of 21 is involved in certain alcohol- or controlled substance-related violations or incidents.

Scope

This policy applies to:

• • All students enrolled at SUNY Purchase who are under the age of 21; and
  • Involved in alcohol and controlled substance-related incidents, whether occurring on or off campus, which are addressed through the College’s administrative processes.

Policy Statement

SUNY Purchase maintains a policy regarding the notification of a student’s parent(s), guardian(s), or emergency contact(s) when a student under the age of 21 is involved in certain alcohol- or controlled substance-related violations or incidents.

Notification decisions are made by authorized institutional offices and are guided by considerations of student health, safety, and welfare, as well as compliance with applicable federal and state laws.

Incidents Subject to Notification

A parent, guardian, or emergency contact may be notified when a student under the age of 21 is involved in one or more of the following, including but not limited to:

• • Violations of institutional rules or policies related to the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance;
  • Violations of federal, state, or local laws involving alcohol or controlled substances; and
  • Alcohol or controlled substance-related medical emergencies, including:
  • Hospitalization;
  • Overdose; or
  • Other situations presenting a serious risk to the student’s health or safety.

SUNY Purchase approves the following authority and process for notification

• • Notification determinations are made only by designated institutional offices, which may include Student Affairs, the Vice President of Student Affairs or designee, University Police, Residential & Student Life, Health Services, Office of Community Standards, or other authorized officials.
  • Individual faculty or staff members do not contact parents, guardians, or emergency contacts unless specifically authorized.
  • Notifications are made on a case-by-case basis, considering the totality of the circumstances.

Student Notification

When feasible and appropriate, students will be informed that a parent, guardian, or emergency contact has been or may be notified, unless such notification would compromise health or safety or interfere with an ongoing investigation.

Confidentiality and Privacy

All notifications under this policy are handled with sensitivity and respect for student privacy. Information shared is limited to what is necessary to address health, safety, or welfare concerns. All disclosures made pursuant to this policy are documented.

FERPA permits institutions of higher education to disclose personally identifiable information (PII) without consent if there is an articulable and significant threat to the health or safety of the student or others, and the disclosure is to parties who need to know to respond.

New York State Education Law §6438-d (Beau’s Law) requires transparency in NYS institutions of higher education on its policies involving notice to a parent, guardian, or emergency contact when a student under the age of 21 is involved in one or more of the following, including but not limited to:

• • Violations of institutional rules or policies related to the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance;
  • Violations of federal, state, or local laws involving alcohol or controlled substances; and
  • Alcohol or controlled substance-related medical emergencies, including:
  • Hospitalization;
  • Overdose; or
  • Other situations presenting a serious risk to the student’s health or safety.

SUNY Purchase exercises its authority under FERPA and New York State Education Law in a manner that limits disclosures to information reasonably necessary to address the circumstances presented.

College Policies

• Alcohol and Drug Disclosure Policy 
• Student Code of Conduct
• The Jeanne Cleary Disclosure Report
• Institutional Response to Alcohol and Other Drugs/Biennial Review

SUNY Purchase provides regular training to employees regarding:

• FERPA requirements and exceptions;
• This notification policy; and
• Appropriate reporting and escalation procedures.