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Embry-Riddle treats students as adults and trusts them to advocate for themselves, solve problems and make decisions. To support their development, the university encourages family members to allow students to manage their own college careers — including direct communications with the university.

As a primary point of contact, staff attend all meetings, advocate for their teams, make decisions and respond to all requests and appointments. In most cases, staff will involve the student in any discussion directly — even when a family member initiates the conversation — unless there is cause for concern as determined by the department.

The university communicates with students through multiple channels: Embry-Riddle social media, Canvas, ERNIE, the RAVE emergency alert system, the Guardian app and the Embry-Riddle Newsroom. Families can also stay informed through the .

Please note that social media accounts not created or managed by the university are not considered official sources. Use caution with information found on, or provided through, any unofficial Embry-Riddle accounts.

Embry-Riddle is governed by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a federal law that protects the privacy and security of student education records. Students control the disclosure of their own education records and may grant auxiliary access through Campus Solutions. Educational records covered by FERPA include grades, housing information, financial status, results of disciplinary proceedings and more.

When contacting the university, please have your auxiliary access PIN number ready so staff can direct you to the appropriate department. Staff will review FERPA before sharing any information, and will be unable to release specific information if auxiliary access is not listed. The university also will not release information about another student — including a roommate — even if your student is connected to that individual.

When the university cannot share information about your student directly, it can still share information about available resources, programming, policies and procedures. Embry-Riddle encourages students to use their professional abilities to manage their own educational experience — even when families hold auxiliary access under FERPA.

In student-specific emergency situations, students, family members and friends can contact local authorities and Campus Safety offices. The Student of Concern Reporting Form can also be submitted by campus ( or ) for situations that need attention but are not life-threatening.

During a university-wide emergency, Embry-Riddle activates the RAVE alert system to communicate with anyone signed up for notifications at any time of day. As a reminder, the university cooperates with all law enforcement and response agencies, and works under their guidance in coordination with the campus Emergency Operations Team (EOT).

Students and employees can opt in to receive RAVE emergency notification messages. The RAVE system requires an ERNIE account to enroll. Enrolled students can add a family member to the RAVE alert system by adding that person's phone number or email address, with appropriate permissions.

Parents are also encouraged to sign up for . Once enrolled, you will receive the same communications your student receives when an alert is issued — delivered by email only.

Embry-Riddle has robust emotional support services available to students. In addition to on-site counseling, the university offers 24/7 global access to emotional support through LifeWorks' student support programs. , a remote mental health resource, is available at any time. Family members who are aware of a student in need of emotional support are encouraged to reach out to the Counseling Center by stopping by or calling. Please note that the form is not counted toward grades, complaints, appeals or Title IX situations. Title IX concerns can be submitted by campus.

Families play an important part in every student's college experience. There are several practical ways to strengthen those communications.

• Set realistic expectations.
• Talk to your student.
• Ask helpful and supporting questions.
• Allow them leeway to make decisions and even fail.
• Encourage your student to use the resources and opportunities available to build connections with the Embry-Riddle community.
• Have them review the Incoming Students Resources on the .
• Put together a health kit for your student — include a thermometer, pain reliever, bandages and a copy of their health insurance card(s) and a list of their current medications and dosages. Check out information on the .

To best help your student through challenges, we strongly recommend encouraging them to contact staff for support directly. This allows staff to build confidence in their own abilities, and helps your student understand the full spectrum of resources available and make introductions where needed. Your partnership and open communication can make a difference.

Embry-Riddle offers a broad system of support, with many departments contributing to students' academic and professional growth. Across all campuses, those systems are connected and will coordinate among the relevant areas when needed.

Families and friends will be referred to the appropriate department best suited to answer their questions or concerns. At times, there will be multiple groups working toward the goal of helping a student — so allow time for information to be gathered and reviewed. Departments will respond to the student directly, or to the person on auxiliary access if applicable, and will provide the best direction available.

Embry-Riddle also encourages families and friends to avoid asking departments for answers on the student's behalf, as that can create confusion for everyone. University departments employ students just like yours, and those students are trained to answer questions and provide direction as frontline staff. When working with student staff, please extend the same care and professionalism to them as you would to any professional — they all contribute to your student's experience by showing up with professionalism and dedication.

Embry-Riddle email is an important part of the university's communication process, so please help keep students informed by encouraging them to check their university email daily. Email is also the preferred method of communication to best protect all parties and their records.

We know that one of the greatest influences in a student's life is family and friends. You are their champion and their system of care and support, and we value that. Ultimately, we want to partner with families and friends to help every student achieve their best.