<p>My point about FERPA was that an academic advisor may not be able to tell you what the specific options are without your student’s consent. As far as what’s going on with your student (be it partying, study skills, tough classes, GF/BF or mental health issues), I think that is evaluated at home, now that the semester is finished, through discussions within the family and whatever support services might be necessary before he heads back to school.</p>
<p>S1 had absolutely no problem with signing a FERPA release when he went off to school and he renewed it on his own initiative when he turned 18. He did poorly in one class winter quarter and while we did not contact his advisor, we were pretty firm with him about getting his act together, and pronto. His other grades have all been excellent, and we knew this was a re-occurrence of an issue he had in HS. Part of getting that act together includes seeing his advisor regularly, letting us know how he’s doing on assignments, and going to class – no excuses. </p>
<p>I would MUCH rather see S get his act together and access internal and external resources himself than have us get involved with the advisor.</p>