For Parents

As a UT parent, there are times when you might require the assistance of the Office of the Dean of Students on behalf of your student. This can range from support for administrative problems to coordinating your student's needs in the case of injury or illness. You are an integral part of his or her experience at UT, and we strive to help parents access University resources. Our first concern, however, is always our students, thus we cannot violate their confidentiality or provide information that violates the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). FERPA is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student educational records and gives students (over the age of 18 years or attending an institution of higher education) the right to access and correct their records. Moreover, information contained in the educational records (beyond directory information) cannot be shared without the student's written consent. For more information about FERPA, please click here.

What do I do if I cannot contact my student?

Our students are busy and it can often be difficult to get them to call home! If you have not been able to reach your son or daughter by e-mail or telephone for a significant period of time, it may be sign of a more serious problem. If you believe your son or daughter is missing or in distress, please contact our office immediately. We will try to contact your student and coordinate helpful resources. Moreover, the Coordinator of Student Emergency Services provides a point of contact for both you and your son or daughter.

What type of assistance does DOS provide in the case of a death of a student?

Our office can assist parents with investigating possible tuition refunds, notification of University personnel, organizing grief interventions for friends and peers, and other campus-related concerns. Once we are notified of a current student's death, we also work with the parents to coordinate a flag lowering in memory of that student. At the request of the family, the Texas flag is lowered by The University of Texas Honor Guard and is flown at half-mast. Although the flag can be lowered without the presence of others, many families and friends prefer to attend and speak at the flag-lowering ceremony. The ceremony is coordinated and held within 60 days after the Office of the Dean of Students is notified of the student's death.

In addition to the flag-lowering ceremony, the Office of the Dean of Students coordinates with the UT Cares Committee and the Office of Relationship Management and University Events for the annual UT Remembers Ceremony. This ceremony was created to honor members of the University community, including current and former students and current and retired faculty and staff, who died in the prior year. For more information about UT Remembers, click click here.

What do I do if my student is seriously ill or injured?

Although most faculty and staff are understanding about absences due to illness and injury, it is often difficult to contact everyone involved with your son or daughter's campus life. The Coordinator of Student Emergency Services in the Office of the Dean of Students can provide professors and supervisors with electronic or written letters notifying them of your student's absence. Our office does require supporting documentation (e.g., a doctor's note, letter from primary care provider) to verify your student's illness or injury. In cases where the illness or injury requires a significant number of absences from classes, medical withdrawal or cancellation of registration may be necessary. Medical or mental health withdrawals/cancellations are handled by University Health Services/Counseling and Mental Health Center and the Office of the Registrar. The Coordinator of Student Emergency Services can explore this option with your student and can facilitate the process of withdrawal/cancellation. You can access more information and downloadable forms for medical withdrawals by clicking here. For psychological withdrawal information, please click here.

What do I do if there is a death in the family?

Again, most faculty and staff are understanding about absences due to family emergencies. The Coordinator of Student Emergency Services at the Office of the Dean of Students can provide professors and supervisors with electronic or written letters notifying them of your student's absence. Our office does require supporting documentation (e.g., obituary, funeral announcement) to verify your student's absence.