Although students' communications with their faculty advisors are considered confidential, there may, on rare occasions, arise circumstances that compel the advisor to violate the confidence. For example, if a student discloses to the advisor an intention to inflict harm on self or others, the advisor has an obligation to disclose such information to appropriate officials. In addition to contractual and statutory relationships, students enrolled in public institutions of higher education also have a constitutional relationship with their institution. Most of the personal rights guaranteed to individuals are found in the amendments to the United States Constitution. But the same constitutional privileges do not always apply to students enrolled in private institutions.
Defamation results when a false statement is maliciously made about an individual to a third party.
Effective Ways to Reduce Problems and Complaints Take good notes on advising sessions, especially concerning recommendations, commitments, exceptions and referrals. In appropriate situations, ask students to sign statements that they understand and agree to actions that you are taking or that the student is taking. Don't answer questions if you are not sure of the correct answer. Instead, say you need to check or to look up the information. When talking with students or explaining something, frequently ask them questions that probe for understanding.