Special Challenges for First-Year-Students
Misusing Alcohol
Alcohol use and abuse is a significant issue on college campuses across America. According to a 2001 Harvard study on binge drinking, 44 percent of college students in the United States classify themselves as binge drinkers (i.e., individuals who consume five or more drinks in one setting, four drinks for females). The good news at UCA is only 28 percent of UCA students classify themselves as binge drinkers, according to the same Harvard study. While the UCA binge drinking rate is much lower than the national average, it is still a significant concern among the UCA community.
Excessive alcohol use has an adverse effect on students’ lives.
- According to a study by Southern Illinois University, students in the U.S. who have a grade point average of an A consume on average 3.6 drinks per week; whereas students with a GPA of a D or F consume on average 10.6 drinks per week.
- According to a 2000 College Alcohol National Survey, college administrators indicate that alcohol is associated with:
-30 percent of dropouts
-37 percent of academic failures
-60 percent of violent behaviors
-65 percent of unsafe sexual practices
-75 percent of acquaintance rapes
- According to the 2001 Harvard Binge Drinking Study, UCA students engaged in the following behaviors due to alcohol use:
-29.4 percent missed class
-25.5 percent got behind in their school work
-27.5 percent did something they regret
-16.0 percent engaged in unplanned sexual activity
-5.6 percent got into trouble with campus or local police
-9.3 percent got hurt or injured
UCA takes a very active approach to minimize alcohol abuse at the University. We have many policies in place and we actively enforce these policies, as noted below:
- UCA is a dry campus and is located in a dry county. University policy prohibits alcohol on campus and at university sponsored events.
- University police and residence hall staff actively enforce alcohol laws on and around the university campus. Students are subject to arrest for minor in possession, driving under the influence, and for public intoxication. These same students are also referred to the dean of students for university disciplinary action.
- Police records are open records according to state and federal laws. The UCA campus newspaper has access to police records and often prints the names of students involved in alcohol and other university violations. Students need to be aware that their behaviors may be made public in the campus newspaper.
- Students who violate university alcohol policies and alcohol laws are subject to the following penalties:
-A stiff monetary fine by the city court.
-Placed on university disciplinary probation for about a four month period. Probationary status means that if a student violates policy within the probationary period, harsher disciplinary action may be taken including removal from university student housing or the university, depending on the seriousness of the violation.
-Students must complete an on-line computerized alcohol education program.
-Parents of entering freshmen (under the age of 21) receive written notification that the student violated the university alcohol policy.
We encourage parents to have a conversation with your son or daughter about alcohol use. Topics you may want to discuss include the following:
Be Aware of Consequences – Students need to know if they violate alcohol policies and laws they will be subject to (1) possible arrest, (2) monetary fine by the court, (3) their name being printed in the campus newspaper, (4) being placed on disciplinary probation, (5) mandatory on-line alcohol program, (6) a letter being sent home to their parents, and of course (7) any penalty you may impose as a parent. Students need to realize there are fairly serious consequences to violating the alcohol policy.
Don’t Drink & Drive – Students need to be encouraged not to drink, but if they do, they need to be told not to drink and drive AND not to ride with a person who is drinking. UCA has experienced a few tragic accidents over the years and most of the tragedies were alcohol related. At a minimum, students need to make use of designated drivers.
Peer Influence – There are many reasons why students drink alcohol. Some drink because of boredom. Some drink to have fun and be social. Some drink to relieve stress. Some drink to build self-confidence. Some students drink because they view it as a rite of passage; it makes them feel older or more like an adult. Perhaps the number one reason young students drink is due to peer pressure. Talk to your son or daughter about the people they hang around with. If your student has friends who drink, make sure he or she knows it is okay to say “no” when being pressured to drink. Teach your student to be assertive. True friends will respect your son’s or daughter’s decision not to drink.
Spring Break/Road Trips – Many college students will plan road trips on weekends or take a long trip during spring break. It is important for parents to have conversations with their students about how to be safe during these trips. For example, students should not drink while driving. Students should not drive all night, but if they do, they should alternate drivers and make frequent stops. A front seat passenger should remain awake and carry- on a conversation with the driver. It is important for parents to discuss safety issues with students before they go on a trip.
Drinking Problems – A few students will develop a drinking problem in college. Possible signs of a drinking problem include a significant drop in grades, lack of attendance in classes, serious mood changes or changes in personality, significant changes in relationships, and/or being in constant trouble with police or school authorities. If a student has a drinking problem, it is important for the parent to be non-judgmental and encourage the student to seek help. UCA provides free, confidential counseling services to students for a variety of problems. The UCA Counseling Center is located on the 3 rd floor of Bernard Hall. The phone number is 450-3138.
UCA takes an active role in minimizing alcohol abuse by UCA students. Parents and other family members can also play an important role to minimize students’ use and abuse of alcohol. For more information about drinking on college campuses, go to www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov.
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