Judicial Procedures

Every member of the residential community, staff as well as residents, has responsibilities for maintaining a living/learning environment that is safe and enhances the Mills academic experience. These responsibilities consist primarily of balancing individual needs and rights with those of other members of the community. Staff members work especially hard to address policy violations from an educational rather than punitive point of view, but certain actions will not be tolerated. All community members must be sensitive, ethical, and respectful of each other if our small community is going to thrive.

We encourage students to act independently and maturely while in residence. Living in a group situation is not always easy, as everyone comes from a different background and has different expectations for living in the residential community. Policies and procedures are established to outline standards by which all members of the community can live together. Residential and Commuting Life has designed a conduct process which addresses inappropriate or illegal behavior with the goal of changing future behavior.

Student residents who violate policies should be aware that judicial proceedings may be undertaken. Please refer to the Mills College Student Handbook for further judicial information.

Parental Notification 

Mills College is committed to the success of each student. While each student ultimately determines her/his own path, we believe that promoting communication with students and their parents/guardians is a critical element in helping to support a successful transition to college life and beyond.

We recognize that not all students greet this policy with enthusiasm. However, Mills College is committed to outlining the standards of the community, intervening with students when we become aware of problems, and sharing information with parents/guardians, if needed, to ensure that students will have the greatest opportunity for success in college.

We hope notification will prompt students and their families to discuss the nature of the incident and identify strategies to avoid future violations.

Mills College Parental Notification Policy

Under federal law—the 1974 Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)—Mills College is subject to a general rule prohibiting disclosure of educational records without a student’s permission. This general rule has a number of exemptions responsive to practical, business and legal considerations. One of the exemptions allows but does not require Mills to notify parents/guardians when a student is in trouble. Many colleges and universities now rely on the exemption to engage in candid communications with parents/guardians about student problems that are endangering the health of a student or others, exposing a student to disciplinary sanctions or legal liability, or interfering with a student’s ability to pursue an education. In acknowledgement of current practices favoring notice to parent/guardians over privacy rights when there are clear signs of a student in trouble, Mills will exercise professional discretion to disclose all information necessary to promote parents’/guardians’ efforts to help their student.