Quote:
Originally Posted by Hartofsec
I hope that no high school counselor, in her capacity as a high school counselor, is discussing girls with sorority alumnae – this would be a violation of confidentiality, and potential liability with a capital L.
|
Our form includes a box you can check off that indicates you don't know a PNM personally, but you have obtained information about her from a reliable source, such as a teacher, clergy, or Panhellenic files.
I am unaware of any high school counselor-student confidentiality privilege. This may vary from state to state. A guidance counselor is not a psychiatrist or psychologist. They are in a position of trust, yes, and can speak to the student's academic record and activities and general community reputation as any other person could. The student is putting their grades and activities out there for scrutiny by the sororities. Their transcripts will indicate any blemishes by suspensions or expulsions. I fail to see what liability you speak of. If the student is in counseling with the guidance counselor, there may be a privilege and liability if the counselor reveals confidential discussions about mental health.
I have friends who are high school counselors. They may talk about their students in the abstract without naming names, just like a doctor or lawyer could, and there's no violation.
I can't imagine any high school counselor going out of her way to make negative statements to sorority alumnae for the purpose of reporting someone for a no-rec to a sorority she is not a member of. That's absurd and vindictive. That doesn't mean it can't happen; it is just highly unlikely. Adults have better things to do than to act like teenage girls. And guidance counselors take their roles seriously to help students.