Confidentiality means that the counselor will respect the student's right to privacy by not divulging to anyone those matters discussed in counseling sessions.  No information obtained through counseling sessions will be released without specific permission by the student, either within or outside the college community.  However, confidentiality is not absolute in that exceptions to the rule exist.

The exceptions are:

• The right of the common good takes precedence over the individual's right to privacy.
• The individual's serious intent to harm himself or another person obliges a counselor to notify those persons necessary to prevent the harm from happening.
• Any suspicion of child abuse must be reported to the Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS).