Drinking in
College:
What Parents
Need to Know
2010 NSE
Parent Presentation
Deb Henderson, RN
Daniel Garrett, MD
Kirsten Licht, MS
Terry Thomas, MA, APRN
University Health Center
Linda Major
Assistant to the Vice Chancellor
for Student Affairs
The First Six Weeks: Transitions
• New
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freedom
environment
friends
responsibilities
stress
Choices: Alcohol Use
New found freedoms and the desire to fit in can lead to dangerous choices
Research Finding:
Parents who talk to students
before they leave for college
can have a big impact on
social behavior and
academic success.
What to Talk About Before
• Your expectations of:
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representing family well
financial stewardship
meeting goals
good academic habits
getting involved on campus
picking supportive friends
drinking habits (don’t say don’t)
drinking and driving
What to Talk About Before
• Correct misperceptions that:
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everyone drinks here
everyone drinks a lot here
you must drink to fit in
nobody here cares if you drink
drinking and driving is no big deal
my parents won’t find out
• Why students choose to drink.
• Why students choose not to drink.
Binge Drinking Trend 1993 - 2008
70
60
50
40
Abstainer/Drinks,
does not binge
Occasional/Frequent
Binger
30
20
10
Source: UNL Student Omnibus Survey
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1997
1993
0
Freshmen College Alcohol Profile
FCAP is an online program designed specifically for college
students. It aims to educate students about alcohol, its effects
and campus/community laws, policies and consequences. It
provides accurate information for better decision making and
assist students to deal with possible drinking behaviors of peers.
Students are notified by email the last week in July. The Vice
Chancellor for Student Affairs expects all first-year student to
complete the online program prior to coming to campus and
complete one brief booster session over the course of the
academic year. Please encourage your son or daughter to
comply with the policy.
Most First Year Students
• 42% report abstaining from alcohol
– 44% of first year women report abstaining from alcohol
– 41% of first year men report abstaining from alcohol
• 32% report that they drink, but don’t binge
– 33% of first year women report that they drink, but
don’t binge
– 40% of first year men report that they drink, but don’t
binge
• 96% disapprove of drinking and driving – 82% report that
they never drink and drive; 84% report that they don’t ride
with a drunk driver
• 87% disapprove of getting drunk on a date
Source: Freshman College Alcohol Profile, Fall 2009
What to Talk About Before
• Long-term implications:
– convictions of an alcohol offense can have far
reaching consequences
– possible denial of a professional license or
employment
– a permanent record, even if an acquittal occurs
– loss of driver’s license
These consequences are the law/rule/policy. They
are out of parental control and cannot be changed.
Creating a Safe Environment at
UNL and in Lincoln
• Strict enforcement
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Underage drinking
Fraternities/residence halls
Alcohol on campus
Party houses
Acute intoxication
Drinking and driving
• Good Samaritan exception
In the Know…
• Alcohol laws and policies are vigorously enforced on campus
and in the community.
• Last year 2000 people under the age of 21 were cited for minor
in possession by the Lincoln Police Department.
• During the 2009-2010 academic year, 329 Disorderly House
citations were issued – approximately 20% of the arrests were
UNL students.
• Last year 2291 people were cited for drunk driving by the
Lincoln Police Department approximately a 3% increase over
the previous year.
• The UNL Student Code of Conduct prohibits “unlawful or
unauthorized possession, use, distribution, dispensing,
delivery, sale or consumption of any alcoholic beverage.”
• Last year 490 alcohol related citations were issued to
students by UNLPD in the residence halls, parking lots and
Greek houses.
• Last year 456 students were found in violation of the student
code of conduct because they were in the “presence of
alcohol.”
During the School Year Ask…
• How are they spending their free time?
• Is the drinking environment what they
expected?
• How are they handling the drinking
environment?
• What decisions are they making around
alcohol?
• What outcomes are they seeing from those
choices?
What Won’t Help
• “Rescuing” your child
– Behavior has consequences
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Demanding abstinence, although…
Sharing your own drinking stories
Making comparisons (siblings/friends/self)
Not being a role model
Not cooperating with UNL officials
Resources
• University Health Center @ health.unl.edu
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Counseling & Psychological Services
Dental Office
Health Education
Laboratory
Medical Clinic
Pharmacy
Physical Therapy
Radiology
Resources
• Student Affairs @ stuafs.unl.edu/
– Dean of Students - Judicial Issues
– NU Directions
– Student Involvement
• Student Legal Services @ unl.edu/asun/sls/
Questions?
Thank you!
Deb Henderson, RN
Wellness Educator
University Health Center
Linda Major
Assistant to the Vice Chancellor
of Student Affairs
Daniel Garrett, MD
Medical Clinic
University Health Center
Terry Thomas, MA, APRN
Medical Clinic
University Health Center
Kirsten Licht, MS
Wellness Educator
University Health Center