NEWS RELEASE
May 5, 2009Contact:
Jack Martin, University Communications, (785) 864-7100.
KU acts to curb student alcohol abuse
LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas will implement a parental notification program for alcohol and drug violations by students under 21 years of age, as well as several other initiatives aimed at educating students about the dangers of abusing alcohol and drugs. Among the changes will be a medical amnesty policy to encourage students to seek help for friends who are having alcohol-related emergencies.
The changes, designed to discourage underage and irresponsible drinking, are effective immediately, accelerated by two student deaths this spring in alcohol-related tragedies. Additional steps are under consideration for implementation before fall classes start.
“Even after students come to college, parents play a major role in their lives,” said Marlesa Roney, vice provost for Student Success. “Studies indicate that parents continue to have more influence than anyone else over the behavior of their sons and daughters. By providing this notification, parents can be a key part of the process to encourage students to make responsible choices.”
Parents and/or legal guardians will be notified after the first known violation of university policy or state law regarding drugs, after the first violation involving alcohol that endangered the health or welfare of the student and/or another person, or after the second known violation of the university alcohol policy.
Notification will also be given following a drug or alcohol violation that results in the cancellation of a student’s housing contract, or if the student has been referred for a second-level alcohol assessment.
“It is my hope that students will not see this as punitive,” said Roney. “This is about using every tool available to help students take responsibility for their actions and to ensure their safety and well being. The University of Kansas wants to help students live up to those responsibilities by making sure their parents are involved in the discussion when students are having difficulties.”
KU also is implementing mandatory alcohol assessments for incoming students, effective with the fall 2009 semester.
“Some students come to college with pre-existing alcohol issues,” said Roney. “If we can identify those students and get them help at the start of their college careers, that may head off more serious problems down the road.”
Each student will be required to take an online assessment within six weeks of attending his or her first class at KU. Students whose responses indicate a high risk factor will be contacted by Student Health Services with resources and be required to participate in a follow-up program.
Another change is that KU will provide amnesty from alcohol-related university and student housing polices to students who seek immediate medical assistance for persons experiencing alcohol-related emergencies.
“We have heard from some students who are reluctant to get help for a friend who has had too much to drink because that student has been drinking, too, and they are afraid of being punished,” said Roney. “While that should never stop someone from getting help for a friend in trouble, removing the threat of being documented for a policy violation will eliminate this obstacle.”
These actions are the first round of a series of steps KU plans to take, with additional actions expected to be considered and announced in the coming weeks and months.
Additionally, because the problem of underage alcohol abuse is a societal one, a Community Alcohol Coalition has been formed to provide a community-wide response.
The coalition met April 28 and will continue to meet on a regular basis to develop and implement strategies to address alcohol issues in our community. Task force members include representatives from KU, local government and schools, law enforcement agencies, health care providers and establishments that serve alcohol.
Community Coalition Members:Marlesa A. Roney, chair, vice provost for Student Success, KUJeff Weinberg, assistant to the chancellor, KUJack Martin, deputy director, University Communications, KUDiana Robertson, director, Department of Student Housing, KUCarol Seager, director, Student Health Services, KURueben Perez, director, Student Involvement and Leadership Center, KULew Perkins, director, Kansas Athletics Inc.Malcolm Gibson, general manager, University Daily KansanRalph Oliver, chief, Public Safety Office, KUMason Heilman, student body president, KUGene Meyer, president, Lawrence Memorial HospitalDenise Darby-Haynes, director of prevention, Douglas County Citizens Committee on AlcoholismRon Olin, chief, Lawrence Police DepartmentRandy Weseman, superintendent, Lawrence Public SchoolsDave Corliss, city manager, LawrenceRob Chestnut, mayor, City of LawrenceSarah Jane Russell, director, GaDuGi SafeCenter, LawrencePhil Bradley, Kansas Licensed Beverage AssociationGavin Smith, Lawrence Bar Owner’s Association
KU offers a variety of programs encouraging safe and responsible use of alcohol, including SafeRide and SafeBus and numerous alcohol-free social events sponsored by Student Union Activities and other KU units, such as New Student Orientation activities during Hawk Week. New Student Orientation also features a session for students and parents titled Making Smart Choices, and Peer Health Educators are available through the Wellness Resource Center.
The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.
kunews@ku.edu (785) 864-3256 1314 Jayhawk Blvd., Lawrence, KS 66045
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Parenting tips for parents with teens who are too old for day care and spend time home alone when parents are working or out of town. If your home has no parent supervision during certain parts of the dayand other teens know it, they may put undue pressure on your teen. The most dangerous times for teens is between 3pm and 7pm. We can set up our teens for disaster or, prepare them for safe, stress free times at home. Talk about internet use, entertaining the opposite sex, defending themselves against intruders, and how to answer the phone. Set parameters on who has permission to come over. Give your teen a schedule of things to do, work and fun to stave off boredom and loneliness. 
Teens More Likely to Start Using Drugs in Summer
It can be a hard task to talk to your children about drugs and alcohol. Watch this video and you'll hear some very familiar words from other parents. Learn more about the teenage brain. Sign up for the Partnership for a Drug-Free America. This site has lots of tools we parents can use when talking to our teens.
The parent pledge and directory is a helpful tool to let other Lawrence parents know that you do not tolerate underage drinking in your home. The directory is a list of parents who have agreed to provide a safe home for teens. It's an easy way to know where your kids are going- Just look it up! When your child goes over to a new friend's home, call the parents and ask a few questions. "Hey, thanks for having my child over tonight! (This question also verifys that the parent even knows they are having guests.) Since we don't know each other, I just wanted to see how things work over there. Are you going to be home? Do you allow underage drinking in your home? Does anyone have access to guns in your home? Do you check on the kids when they are camped out in the basement rec. room or outside? Do you ask them to say hello and goodbye so you know who's there? Please remind my kid to call me from your home phone when he gets there. Oh, by the way, here's my cell in case you need anything. 
From the Office of National Drug Control Policy. Executive Office of the President.
