A presentation of the Office of the Dean of Students

Alcohol on Campus:

What Vanderbilt Parents Should Know

Office of Student Health & Wellness and Campus Partners

The Staff:• John W. Greene, MD, Associate Dean of Students, Health & Wellness• Tina L. Smith, Ed. D., Assistant Dean of Students, Health & Wellness• Kimberly K. Moulds, Ph.D., Program Coordinator, National College Health Improvement Project

(NCHIP)• Katherine S. Drotos, B.S., Program Coordinator, Office of Wellness Programs & Alcohol Education

http://www.vanderbilt.edu/healthydores/ Campus Partners and Additional Resources:•Academic Deans and Advisors•Dean of the Commons and Faculty Heads of Houses•Dean of Students•Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity•Office of Housing and Residential Education•Psychological and Counseling Center•Student Health Center•Vanderbilt Emergency Department and Medical Center•Vanderbilt Police Department•Vanderbilt Recovery Support

The Office of Student Health and Wellness

•Student Health and Wellness within the Office of Dean of Students

• Services include: Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention, and Coordination of Other Campus Health and Wellness Resources

Components of Alcohol Education & Abuse Prevention at Vanderbilt

• Clear Alcohol Policy and Consistent Enforcement • Immunity Rule (Medical Amnesty)• Core and Quality of Life Assessments/Surveys• Host Responsibility Training• AlcoholEdu for All In-coming Students and Parents• Alcohol-Free Events and Programming• Resident Advisor and VUCeptor Education &Training • Residence Hall Floor and “True Life” Discussions • Parent Education• 2012 Initiatives

– National College Health Improvement Project (NCHIP) Participationhttp://www.nchip.org/

– Vanderbilt Recovery Support http://www.vanderbilt.edu/recoverysupport/

AlcoholEdu

• Online alcohol education program, with emphasis on helping your student make safer and healthier decisions about alcohol

• Program consists of two parts– Part I opens mid-July and closes mid-August– Part II opens and closes late October

• Required that all freshmen and transfer students complete the program and pass with 80% before arrival on campus in August

http://college.alcoholedu.com

Vanderbilt Student Beliefs(Based on CORE Alcohol & Drug Survey, 2012)

Alcohol has the following effects:• Breaks the ice 82.9%• Gives people something to do 81.9%• Enhances social activity 79.9%• Facilitates a connection with peers 72.2%• Allows people to have more fun 68.2%• Facilitates sexual opportunity 67.9%• Makes it easier to deal with stress 44.1%

– Academic (more difficult than expected), Social (isolation), Developmental (little or no past drinking experience)

Potential Negative Consequences of High Risk Drinking

• Accidents & Injury – Vanderbilt Emergency Department/ER Visits (HIPAA protected)– Encounters with Law Enforcement (VUPD and Metro Nashville)

• First-year Students accounted for >50% of the total during the fall semester

• Death– From excessive consumption and other high-risk behavior

• Unplanned sex and sexual assault• Poor academic performance• Regret and/or thoughts of self-harm• Conduct violations complicate disclosures for:

– Employment after graduation– Graduate/Professional School Applications

• Potential Criminal record

Campus Restrictions While on Probation

Not allowed to participate in Greek Recruitment (Fraternity/Sorority) if on probation

Cannot hold an Office/Leadership Position in a Student Organization, RA/VUCeptor

Not allowed to participate in Study Abroad Programs Student Athletes may be restricted from play by coach

Tennessee State Law

No person under 21years of age

can consume or purchase

alcoholic beverages.

It is unlawful to sell

alcoholic beverages to any person

under 21.

It is unlawful to falsify a driver’s license (Fake ID) or other identification document in order to

obtain any alcoholic beverages.

http://www.tn.gov/

Tennessee State Law & Metro Nashville Police Department

• In addition to enforcement on campus, incidents occurring off-campus or outside the “Vandy Bubble” i.e., public intoxication and/or using a false ID, may result in action being taken by the Metro Nashville Police Department or other agencies:– Could result in criminal charges and record– Could result in students being taken to the Criminal Justice

Center and Detained

The Drug Free Schools & Community Act

•Institutions of Higher Education that receive federal funding must have a program in place to prevent the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs, and alcohol by students and employees.

•Annual notification to students and employees: Standards of conduct Legal Sanctions Health Risks Drug and Alcohol Programs Disciplinary Sanctions

•Biennial Review of AOD programs

http://www.compelledtoact.com/Involvement_categ/Federal_law/Part_86-Regs.htm

The University prohibits the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of alcohol and controlled substances by students, faculty, and staff, on its property, or as part of any University-sponsored activity. The prohibition extends to off-campus activities that are officially sponsored by Vanderbilt, its schools, departments, or organizations.

http://www.vanderbilt.edu/student_handbook/

Students Studying Abroad

• Generally Vanderbilt Student Policies Apply while Studying Abroad

• Water, however, may not be “safe” alternative for consumption in some countries

• The legal drinking age may differ in countries outside the US.– Examples of countries with lower drinking age:

• Australia/England/Ireland/UK - 18• Denmark/France/Germany/Italy/Spain – 16-18• Canada – 19

Vanderbilt Alcohol Policy

Vanderbilt is not a dry campus; however:• No one under the age of 21 may possess or consume alcoholic

beverages on campus at any time• The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons is an alcohol-free residential

area • Open containers of alcohol are not permitted in public areas –

streets, sidewalks, hallways, stairwells, residence hall lounges, balconies, and patios

• Kegs & other “common supply” sources of alcohol are prohibited• Drinking games or activities that encourage excessive drinking are

prohibitedhttp://www.vanderbilt.edu/student_handbook/

Immunity Rule or Medical Amnesty at Vanderbilt University

•Alcohol Violation does not go on the student’s external record when immunity is granted.

•Student will receive an administrative referral for an Alcohol evaluation

•Does not preclude students from being responsible for other Code of Conduct violations e.g. sexual assault

The University is committed to increasing the likelihood that students will call for medical assistance, if faced with an alcohol or drug related emergency.

http://www.vanderbilt.edu/student_handbook/alcohol-and-controlled-substances#emergencytreatment

Possible Sanctions for Policy Violations: on VU Campus

• Written reprimand (Parents not usually notified)• Parental notification (for all listed below):– Written Reprimand Plus Enhancement

• Educational Modules, Reflection paper, or Uncompensated University work/service

– Disciplinary probation– Suspension– Expulsion

• Administrative referral to Substance Abuse Counselor for all alcohol violations

Parental Notification

• FERPA (Family Education Rights and Privacy Act) - Parents or guardians of students under the age of 21 found in violation of alcohol or drug policies as outlined in the student code of conduct may be notified.

http://registrar.vanderbilt.edu/academic-records/privacy-statement/

• Medical Amnesty/Immunity– Parents are not routinely notified of amnesty

• Conduct Violations– Parents Notified of the 1st violation when the

sanction is Reprimand Plus, Probation, Suspension or Expulsion

Screening & Intervention

• Brief Assessment, Screening, and Intervention • Brief Intervention • Assessment by an Alcohol and Drug Counselor• Counseling and Follow-up as needed

Brief Intervention Goals

Reduce

• Alcohol use to lower levels

Reduce

• Alcohol- related harm to self and others

Encourage• Abstinence

in those who have alcohol

dependence or

indicators that they

should not drink

These must be consistent with the student’s readiness to change.

What can parents do?

Have a conversation with your student

Questions to Discuss with Your Student Before Arriving on

Campus•How will you decide whether or not to drink?

•What will you do if you find yourself at a party where there is only alcohol to drink?

•What will you do if your roommate drinks and/or if your room becomes a center for this type of behavior?

•What will you do if you find a student passed out in the bath room?

• How would you handle caring for someone who is very drunk/intoxicated?

Academic & Behavioral Expectations

• Drinking and driving

• Family beliefs and values about drinking

• Financial responsibility

• Class attendance/academics

• Staying in touch Parents are important sources of guidance and support

Conversational Questions

• How are things going with your roommate?• How do you and your roommate settle disagreements?• Would you know to call an EMS if your roommate drank

too much and blacked out?• How do you like each of your classes/professors?• What’s it like living in your residence hall?• Tell me about the friends you have made.• How are you spending your free time?• Are you feeling overwhelmed/stressed?

Risk Reduction

Low-Risk Drinking

• Eat a meal/food before drinking• Know what and how much you are

drinking – pace yourself!• Make arrangements to get home

safely before you start drinking – designated driver/person

• Setting a limit to the # of drinks per night

• Alternating alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (water)

• At a party – sip a cup or glass of a non-alcoholic beverage

High-Risk Drinking

• Drinking games (shots)• Drinking too much too fast to

avoid a rapid rise in BAC• Leaving your cup or glass

unattended• Not knowing what you are

drinking – ask!• Pre-gaming/partying – before

events e.g. football games• Mixing alcohol and other

drugs

Warning Signs

While not an exhaustive list, some things to look for…• Missing or skipping classes• A significant decrease in academic performance• Frequent requests for money to cover vague “expenses”• Unusual Moodiness or defensiveness• Switching friends frequently

Campus Resources

• Dean of Students • Dean of the Commons and Faculty Heads of Houses• Office of Wellness Programs & Alcohol Education• Office of Housing and Residential Education• Psychological and Counseling Center• Student Health Center • Office of Religious Life• The Office of Student Conduct & Academic Integrity

http://www.vanderbilt.edu/deanofstudents/about/meet-the-dean/

Additional Campus Resources

• Academic Deans and Advisors• Student Recreation Center• Women’s Center• Office of LGBTQI• Vanderbilt Medical Center • Vanderbilt Emergency Department/Room• Vanderbilt Recovery Support• Vanderbilt Police Department

http://police.vanderbilt.edu/about/office-of-the-chief/