Alcohol, drug policy mulled

Nearly 80 percent of colleges and universities nationwide notify parents when their children violate drug and alcohol rules.
By RON COLE
VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown State University students violating campus alcohol and drug policies may not be able to hide the offense from mom and dad anymore.
University trustees are considering a policy requiring that letters be sent to the parents of dependent students under the age of 21 caught with booze or drugs on campus.
The trustees' student affairs committee agreed to the policy in principle Friday afternoon but did not settle on the details. The university wants to implement the policy beginning fall semester in August.
Mollie McGovern, a student trustee, said she thinks the policy will get the attention of students, especially those in campus residence halls.
Beneficial: "The intentions are good," she said. "I think anything that allows the university to work with students and parents when a problem arises is a good thing."
Changes to the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act in 1998 permitted colleges and universities to notify parents when their minor children violate campus alcohol and drug policies.
Nearly 80 percent of colleges and universities nationwide have instituted such practices, and another 15 percent are actively considering such rules, said Judith Gaines, YSU executive director of student life.
Of Ohio's 13 four-year public universities, only YSU and the University of Akron do not have such policies, according to a report given to trustees.
Gaines said schools that notify parents have found that it helps the universities, parents and students work together to address possible addiction problems.
She said about 60 YSU students would be effected by the new policy annually.
"The intent of this is not to be punitive, but to be supportive for the student," said Dr. Cyndy Anderson, vice president of student affairs.
YSU prohibits alcohol and drugs in all residence halls regardless of age and prohibits possession of alcohol on campus by students under the age of 21.
Under the policy proposed by Gaines and Anderson, the parents of students cited with and eventually found guilty of violating the rules would be notified by mail.
Too inflexible? Trustee William Knecht said he was concerned about notifying parents on a first offense, noting that other Ohio universities are more flexible.
Bowling Green State University, for instance, does not notify parents on the first violation unless the student has been hospitalized or there is significant property damage. At Ohio State, parents are notified only when a student's violation involves a health or safety issue.
But trustees Chairwoman Ruth Wilkes emphasized that underage drinking not only violates campus rules but is against the law.
"I think to protect the students, it's obligatory that we notify parents on the first offense," she said.
"So, if I'm a student and I have a bottle of beer on my desk, you're going to call my dad?" Knecht said.
"Absolutely," Wilkes said.
Anderson and Gaines are expected to refine the details of the policy and report back to trustees.