Introduction
Alcohol Policy in Residence Halls
Advice for Students
Website Resources for Students
Advice for Parents and Other Adults in Our Students' Lives
Campus Resources List
Website Resources for Parents
Prohibited Activities Regarding Alcohol
Consequences of Alcohol Use
Educational Programming Efforts Regarding Alcohol
On-Campus Resources Regarding Alcohol Education and Outreach
Confronting Alcohol Use/Possession in Residence Halls
Policy on Notifications to Parents

Introduction
Over the years, national researchers have concluded that about 20% of college students do not drink at all, that close to 40% drink occasionally and moderately, and that more than 40% engage in high-risk (sometimes called “binge”) drinking, or drinking for the purpose of getting drunk. A report of alcohol use by University of Maryland students (study performed in cooperation with American College Health Association’s National College Health Assessment, 2001) indicatd that 23% of Maryland students do not drink at all, that 15% drink but have not done so in about a month, and that, over the past 30 days, 44% have consumed alcohol on nine or fewer days and 18% on 10 or more days. In the same study, 36% of Maryland students reported they had consumed five or more drinks in a sitting within the past two weeks; almost one-half of those students said they had drunk this much alcohol on three or more occasions within the past two weeks.

The issues associated with alcohol consumption by college-aged people are of utmost importance. Of particular concern are the negative consequences of alcohol misuse or abuse. For example, research summarized by the National Institutes of Health (NIAAA, 2005) suggests that alcohol use by students ages 18 through 24 may be responsible each year for as many as 1,700 deaths, 599,000 injuries, and 97,000 cases of sexual assault and acquaintance rape. About 25% of students experience academic problems including missing class, falling behind, doing poorly on exams and papers, and receiving lower grades.

The University of Maryland, in compliance with state law, prohibits the use and possession of alcoholic beverages by persons under age 21 and restricts their use by persons over age 21. In our experience at Maryland, we have seen that when students – including underage drinkers -- make poor decisions regarding alcohol use, there can be negative results.

About 44% of the University of Maryland’s undergraduate students live in the on-campus residence halls and the affiliated University Courtyard and South Campus Commons apartment communities. About 90% of the students who live in these locations are under the age of 21. The remaining University of Maryland students live near the campus, in settings such as their family homes, apartments and fraternities and sororities.

Back to Top

Alcohol Policy in Residence Halls
In the State of Maryland, it is unlawful for any person under the age of 21 to possess or consume alcoholic beverages. Through education and enforcement, the Department of Resident Life seeks to encourage resident students’ adherence to the law and to the residence hall rules, and -- for those students who choose to drink -- their responsible decision-making about the use of alcohol.

University of Maryland residence hall rules also prohibit the possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages by those under age 21. Residents who are 21 or older may consume alcoholic beverages in the privacy of a student room, within the rules stated below, but not in common areas in any residence hall, suite or apartment. Resident Life’s alcohol policy includes the following prohibitions:

Back to Top

Advice for Students 1. Be Well Informed About Issues Regarding Alcohol and Other Drugs In addition to visiting the websites shown on these pages, seek out other sources of information. Students working as Alcohol Peer Educators in the University Health Center are a great resource. You can reach them by visiting room 2150 in the Health Center, calling 301-314-8124, or via email at smoak@health.umd.edu. 2. Know and Abide by the University’s Rules and Regulations You have accepted a responsibility as a citizen of the University of Maryland community to know and abide by the University’s rules and regulations. This concept includes not permitting others to knowingly violate those rules and regulations and watching out for the safety and wellbeing of others. Our expectations with regard to alcohol use relate primarily to your personal safety, and secondarily to enforcement of rules and regulations. Rules and regulations regarding alcohol are summarized in these pages and posted online in Community Living: The Residence Halls Handbook (www.resnet.umd.edu/reslife/Community/CommunityHandbook/4.html). 3. Establish Limits for Yourself…and Keep Within Them You have choices to make – to choose to drink or to not drink, to choose how much or how little to drink and how often, to choose your own behavior and not have the behavior influenced or belittled by others, and to choose your activities and companions. Make informed choices, and behave in a safe and responsible manner. Be especially watchful and caring of friends who choose to drink. 4. Seek Help If You Become Concerned About Yourself or a Friend The on-campus resources listed on these pages exist to help you navigate your college years in a safe, responsible and personally satisfying manner. Do not hesitate to call on the individuals in these offices. Many options exist for talking about alcohol use and related issues with other students who have special training as peer educators and peer counselors.

Websites Especially for Students “At risk” for an alcohol problem? and other information from the University Health Center www.health.umd.edu/programs/AOD Making safe choices about alcohol use www.resnet.umd.edu/alcohol.html Maryland law and consequences of poor decisions about alcohol www.umdps.umd.edu/university_of_ maryland_police_resources_truth.cfm Honest answers to students’ questions about health issues! www.goaskalice.columbia.edu Especially for college students www.factsontap.org Founded by college students www.bacchusgamma.org Campaign for a safe 21st birthday www.brad21.org

Back to Top Advice for Parents and Other Adults in Our Students’ Lives 1. Educate Yourself The websites listed on this page are informative and interesting. They also provide useful tips for discussing college drinking with your son or daughter. First-year students are most at risk, the experts say, for developing problems that can arise from social pressure and experimentation with new behaviors.

2. Talk With Your Son or Daughter Before Coming to Campus Contrary to what you may think, parents have considerable influence on students, and students respect and listen to their parents more often than we give them credit for. Here are some tips for helping to keep your son or daughter safe: · Clearly state your expectations with regard to alcohol. · Expand the conversations to include personal safety, sexual activity and drugs other than alcohol. · Make it your family’s goal to talk openly and honestly about these topics. · Listen to your son or daughter non-judgmentally. · Let him/her know that at the University of Maryland, most students party responsibly, and there are many students who choose not to drink at all. · Assert your expectation that he/she will follow the university’s rules and regulations and utilize its safety resources. · Be understanding of the fact that transition to college can be a difficult time, where students will be trying to fit in with new friends. · Remember that the use of alcohol and other drugs often is a sign of deeper issues; don’t be afraid to ask your son or daughter what might be going on. · Stress to your son or daughter the importance of also looking out for others and knowing when to get help. At least one study (Boise State University, 2001) has shown that first-year college students had “lower drinking tendencies (and fewer) drinking consequences” when their parents “were educated about binge drinking and how to convey information to their teens, and then encouraged to talk with their teens just before” their students started college.

Websites Especially For Parents University’s own Health Center www.health.umd.edu/programs/AOD University’s own Department of Public Safety www.umdps.umd.edu/university_of_ maryland_police_resources_truth.cfm Today’s first-year students and alcohol www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov Good variety of articles for parents of college-bound students www.edc.org/hec/parents Separation and change within family as student transitions to college www.aboutourkids.org/aboutour/articles/drugs.html What parents need to know about college drinking www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov

3. Keep the Conversations Going Call and email your son or daughter frequently, especially during the first six weeks of the semester. Ask often about academics, roommates, your student’s social/leisure time activities, and drinking and social behaviors of roommates and friends. Visit him/her on Family Weekend in October (301-314-8429 for info) or on other occasions. Ask to meet his/her friends.

“Telling your student ‘I forbid you to drink’ will not work. Instead, try to openly and honestly discuss the consequences of making bad choices about alcohol and how drinking can threaten all your student wants to achieve at the university.” Scott Apple, double-major in Criminal Justice and Government and Politics

4. Contact Us If You Need Help Dealing With a Situation
If you are concerned about your student with regard to alcohol (e.g., academic problems, reluctant to speak with you or return your calls, resists talking about friends and social time), please call on any of the on-campus support resources listed on these pages.

Back to Top

Alcohol Peer Educators 301-314-8124 Alcohol/Other Drug Education/ Outreach Programs 301-314-8124 Student’s Resident Director 301-314-7399 or 301-314-7484 University Chaplains 301-314-9893 Counseling Center 301-314-7651	Health Center 301-314-8091 Parent Warmline 301-314-7674 University Police 301-405-3555 Sexual Assault Information 301-314-2222

Back to Top

Prohibited Activities Related to Alcohol

Consequences of Alcohol Use
There are many ways in which the use, misuse or abuse of alcohol can result in harm to oneself and/or consequences that affect one’s status as a University of Maryland student.

1. Housing Sanctions
Sanctions for violations of Resident Life alcohol policy are published online at www.resnet.umd.edu/reslife/Community/CommunityHandbook/4a.html and can include:

· dismissal from residence halls
· personal meeting with one’s Resident Director
· administrative housing probation and loss of two priority points in the calculation of Priority Numbers that determine access to preferred housing facilities such as single rooms and apartment and suite spaces
· written warning to not repeat the violation
· participation in an alcohol education experience
· referral for assessment by the University’s Coordinator for Substance Abuse Programs
· community service project
· other educational sanction, such as preparing a research paper on effects of alcohol use, preparing a bulletin board display, conducting or organizing an alcohol education program, etc.
· administrative record is kept on file for three years.

2. University Sanctions
Sanctions for violations of University alcohol policies can include:

· expulsion
· suspension
· disciplinary probation
· disciplinary reprimand
· participation in the University’s Substance Abuse Intervention Program
· restitution
· work or research projects
· restrictions on further use of University facilities

In addition, students may be accountable to both civil authorities and to the University for acts that constitute violations of law and University policy.

3. Personal Consequences
Unfortunately, alcohol misuse/abuse sometimes leads to issues that harm a student’s health and wellbeing, such as:

· Embarrassment
· Parents finding out
· Disappointing or alienating one’s friends
· Falling behind in classes, missing assignments and ultimately doing poorly on exams and papers
· Unprotected sex
· Rape or other sexual assault, and other unwanted sexual contact
· Health issues, increased health risks
· Alcohol poisoning, even death
· Drunk driving
· Arrest or other involvement with police
· Injury to oneself from falling, fighting, losing control
· Causing injury to others through fighting, assault, etc.
· Being responsible for property damage, theft, etc.

4. Legal Consequences
Breaking the law in the State of Maryland with regard to alcohol possession/use can lead to:

· $500 fine for possession of an alcoholic beverage by a person under age 21
· Jail time and $1,000 fine for selling/furnishing alcohol to any person under age 21
· Fine of $500 for obtaining alcoholic beverages for a person under age 21 or misrepresenting one’s age in order to obtain alcoholic beverages
· Fine of $500 for those under age 21 who drive with any alcohol in the body
· Jail time and fines of up to $1,000 for making fake IDs or selling/issuing ID cards with a false date of birth
· Jail time, fine of up to $1,000, suspension of driver’s license of up to 60 days, and points on one’s license for various driving while impaired or driving while under the influence offenses
· Bond to be released from jail
· Felony conviction
· Lost class time, lost wages, lost career opportunities
· Attorney fees averaging $1,500 or more
· Court costs/fees
· Increased insurance rates
· Loss or restriction of driving privileges

Back to Top

Educational Programming Efforts Regarding Alcohol
In addition to confronting violations of the alcohol policy, Resident Life staff members make it a priority to help educate students to the health risks, legal and personal consequences and other dangers associated with misuse or abuse of alcohol. This is done through:

· meetings and conversations conducted by Resident Assistants (RAs) and other staff members
· posters, bulletin boards and other written materials
· series of programs offered during Alcohol Awareness and Safe Break weeks
· other educational programs offered by Resident Life staff, often in conjunction with the Health Center staff and University Police
· referrals to on-campus agencies.

Back to Top

On-Campus Resources Regarding Alcohol Education and Outreach
Programs and services of the University Health Center (www.health.umd.edu) are available to all students, faculty and staff. Through the Alcohol and Other Drug Education and Outreach Programs office, trained professional staff and peer educators help individuals assess and make informed, responsible decisions about alcohol use. Outreach programs include Terp C.H.O.I.C.E.S. workshops, programs at campus events, and printed resource materials.

Through the Health Center’s Substance Abuse Programs office, three primary programs are offered:

· six-week, fee-based Substance Abuse Intervention Program for violators of campus alcohol and other drug policies
· State-certified treatment program for those individuals experiencing difficulties related to their use of alcohol or other drugs (includes an individualized program for persons diagnosed as having a chemical dependency) and
· 12-hour State-approved instruction for persons who receive DUI or DWI citations.

Students who want anonymity and advice from a trained peer can call 301-314-HELP; hours are 2pm to 2am. Parents who want assistance from the University regarding alcohol use by their students can contact the Counseling Center’s Parent Warmline at 301-314-7674 or the Health Center’s Health Education staff at 301-314-8124. Students and parents also are welcome to contact the University Chaplains through 301-314-9893.

Students who encounter a variety of personal, social, career and academic issues, including abuse or irresponsible use of alcohol, that call for assistance beyond advice provided by family or friends can obtain free and confidential services from professional counselors. More information can be obtained at the University Counseling Center (www.umd.edu/CC/Services).

The University’s Department of Public Safety offers alcohol and other drug education programs (www.umdps.umd.edu/university_of_maryland_police_resources_truth.cfm) that present information about the effects on the body of alcohol consumption and the potential legal, career and personal consequences that can result from public drinking, utilizing fake IDs, and drinking and driving.

Back to Top

Confronting Alcohol Use/Possession in Residence Halls
Residence hall staff members can be expected to:

· approach persons seen with alcoholic beverages if there is a question about their age,
· be alert to potential problem situations (e.g., noise that may be from a party involving alcohol),
· instruct any person seen with alcohol in a common area (hallway, lounge, lobby, elevator, etc.) to pour it out and to expect an administrative sanction,
· call for Police and medical assistance if the drinking behavior of an individual warrants medical attention,
· respond to other alcohol-related incidents and requests for assistance, and
· document and follow up on all such incidents with formal administrative sanctions.

Students should report suspected violations of the alcohol policy to their RA or the RA on duty. The RA on duty can be reached through a student’s 24-hour service desk.

Back to Top

Policy on Notifications to Parents
Resident Life staff members do not routinely contact a student’s parent(s) or legal guardian when an individual, including a student under the age of 18, is involved in an alcohol incident or is subject to disciplinary and/or administrative action that can result in sanctions up to and including dismissal from the residence halls. In most such situations, the student is strongly counseled to inform his/her parent(s) or other responsible adult (e.g., clergy, teacher, adult friend, etc.).

In instances when Resident Life staff members learn that a student under age 18 has been transported to a hospital because of alcohol consumption or that a student, regardless of age, is in serious physical condition following such a transport, parents typically will be contacted by the student himself/herself or by police, hospital personnel or a Resident Life staff member. Whether or not such a contact is made by a Resident Life staff member, within the next business day or so, the student’s Community Director typically will call the parents to inform them of the incident, enlist the family’s support, identify campus resources to help the student, and emphasize that a repeat violation of the residence hall rules could result in dismissal from housing.