Parents Page

Communication
Show you care when you talk to your student. You need to draw the line, but understand your student is growing up. Most of all believe in your own skills to help them avoid trouble.
• be a good role model
• be factual and straightforward
• provide good information
  
• do not use scare tactics
  
It is important to talk with your student often. You do not need to cover every topic in one conversation. Lecturing will work, providing information and listening are key.

Expect the Best
Set expectations about class attendance, study time vs. free time, how you will keep in touch, and drinking. Make sure it is clear that it is easy to have fun without drinking.

Valuable Information
Your family's values have never been more important than now. You may feel your student knows your family values, but it is a good idea to restate your values and expectations. Your first-year student needs to know how to relate the values you have instilled to the choices he/she will face.

Priorities
Set clear and realistic expectations regarding grades. Studies show that heavy drinking may contribute to missed classes and poor performance causing lower grades. If your student knows you expect solid academic work, he/she is more likely to pay attention to studies and have less time to get involved with drinking.

Safe and Secure
Help your student understand their right to be safe. Students who do not drink can be affected by others who drink. This can cause problems like interrupted study time, assault or unwanted sexual advances. Students should discuss the problem with the offender when possible. If that fails,  they should ask campus staff such as residence life and housing staff to help them.

Don't Tell Tales
Your student may interpret stories of drinking during college as approving of dangerous alcohol consumption. If you drank alcohol at his/her age, avoid entertaining your student with these stories.

Common Sense
Make sure your student understands that alcohol can be toxic and alcohol poisoning can kill. Ask your student to have the commonsense and self-confidence to intervene when they see someone risking their life by drinking dangerously.

Volunteering and Getting Involved Encourage your student to volunteer or get involved on campus and in the surrounding community. It helps structure free time, and provides students with a broader outlook and a healthier respect for their lives. Students may contact the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership (OSIL) on campus for information on involvement opportunities.

Making it Clear Underage drinking and alcohol impaired driving are against the law. You should openly tell your student you disapprove of underage drinking, dangerous alcohol consumption, and driving while under the influence of alcohol.

Non-Alcohol Centered Events  There are plenty of events on campus offered to students that don't involve alcohol.