The University Committee on Alcohol, which monitors and guides alcohol policy, recently completed an extensive study of the concerns of students, faculty, staff, and administrators, and several of their findings are worth noting. Students consistently reported that when they choose not to drink, their choice is respected by their peers. Students should be treated as responsible adults until proven otherwise - which means educating students about the laws and the consequences of violating them, and then letting students make their own choices, but holding them accountable, especially for behavior that affects others. These principles reflect the core of our approach to this difficult issue, and they will continue to guide us as we continue to improve our programs and policies. My colleagues and I accept responsibility to educate our students on this issue.
Parents can also play a role.
We encourage you to talk to your student regularly about the use of alcohol and other drugs, especially during the first weeks of the fall semester. You may find helpful the literature from The Century Council about keeping open the lines of communication with your student on this issue, by regularly expressing your willingness to talk and your frank concerns about the new freedoms that your students will have-and the responsibilities that this will bring with it. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns on these matters. Sincerely yours, James E. McLeod Vice Chancellor for Students Suggestions Following are several suggestions for beginning a conversation with your son or daughter before leaving for campus. These suggestions are from a pamphlet created by The Century Council, which is funded by America's leading distillers.