RADFORD
UNIVERSITY
FOUNDATIONAL
PLAN TO REDUCE ILLEGAL AND BINGE DRINKING
(Summary of Radford University’s Compliance with the 1998 Foundational
Plan Requirements and Recommendations of the Attorney General’s Task Force)
August
2000
Foundational
Plan Requirements
Each campus plan should be reviewed annually and include the following items.
·
Alcohol
educational programming is provided by the office of Substance Abuse and Sexual
Assault Education, the University Police Department, Student Action Team, Office
of Residential Life, Peer Educators, and the Office of New Student Programs.
·
The
Police Department submitted and received two $1500.00 grants from Division of
Motor Vehicles to purchase Fatal Vision Goggles and educational material for
alcohol education programming.
·
OCTAA (On
Campus Talking About Alcohol) classes are available to students.
·
RU Aware
program provides education (including OCTAA classes) and assessment for students
found in violation of the university’s alcohol and other drug policies.
·
Peer
education provided through student group, S.A.T./BACCHUS.
·
University
100 is a one-credit first semester class that addresses transitional issues,
decision making and orientation to campus life with special emphasis on the
impact of alcohol/drug use on academic, personal, and social success. The
textbook that is used in all sections of University 100, provides significant
information about the hazards of alcohol and drug abuse.
This program reaches approximately eighty-two
percent of our first semester freshman students.
·
Students
have the option of taking a wellness, personal health, recreation or nutrition
course. Each of these courses addresses the impact of alcohol/drug use and abuse
in relationship to the content of the course.
·
The
Success Starts Here Program is a collaborative effort of New Student Programs,
Student Activities, Residential Life, and Substance Abuse & Sexual Assault
Education to bring national speakers to campus to present issues of wellness
(including alcohol and drugs) and academic success.
·
Extensive
programming dealing with health, social, personal, and academic problems that
arise from alcohol/drug use or abuse are regularly presented in the campus
residence halls.
·
In the
1998 fall semester, President Covington sent a letter to all faculty encouraging
their partnership in efforts to reduce binge drinking and the illegal use of
alcohol and other drugs.
·
On-campus
enforcement is vigorous and consistent by University police and residence hall
staff. Increased emphasis on
enforcement has resulted in an increase in the number of judicial charges for
alcohol-related cases being filed during the opening weeks of the fall semester
in 1998 and 1999 and a subsequent reduction in violations and related problems
(see summaries of outcomes).
·
Off-campus
enforcement by local law enforcement and the ABC agents continues to be
rigorous.
·
The
University Police Department continues to aggressively enforce state alcohol,
drugs laws and University policy. During
1999-2000, there was a 177% increase in alcohol arrests (of
university students and non-students) and a 117% increase in disciplinary
referrals of university students by university police.
·
The
University Police Department submitted and received Underage Drinking
Enforcement grant from Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Board of $5,000.00.
·
The
Office of Substance Abuse and Sexual Assault Education and the New River Valley
Planning District Criminal Justice Services Board worked together to form the
New River Valley Enforcement Coalition on College Age Drinking.
This community coalition is comprised of community and campus police; ABC
agents; RU, VT, and New River Community College; U.S. Forestry Service; and the
Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. The
coalition developed an action plan and meets monthly to discuss enforcement and
education issues. The coalition is
funded through the Virginia ABC.
·
The
University’s Standards of Conduct are printed in the 1999-2000 Student Handbook, copies of which are distributed annually
to all students. The Standards
include a very comprehensive section on Alcoholic Beverages (see section 3,
pages 53-54, Attachment 1). This
section of the conduct code strictly prohibits the unlawful “sale, purchase,
possession and transportation, storage, and consumption of alcoholic beverages
on University property and at Off-campus University sponsored functions.
The policy includes the most relevant sections of the Virginia State
Alcoholic Beverage Control Laws, including the prohibition of public
intoxication (see section 3.6 F, Attachment 1)
·
The
following note is included in bold print at the end of the University’s Policy
on Alcoholic Beverages (section 3):
Note: Campus Judicial charges will
be filed against students who violate these laws or University alcoholic
beverages policies and guidelines if the violation occurs on University property
or at off-campus University sponsored functions.
Violations of Virginia State and Radford City Alcoholic Beverage Control
laws will also be subject to arrest.
·
The
following note was added in bold print at the end of the introductory section of
the University’s Alcoholic Beverage Policy in the 1998-99 Student
Handbook and subsequent editions:
Note: Students who are intoxicated may also be
subject to a judicial charge for a violation of Section 17.4 Endangering
Conduct.
·
The
University’s policy on Endangering Conduct (section 17.4) of the Standards of
Student Conduct which is listed below, was revised in1998 to include a note (in
bold print) that clarifies that staff have the authority to use this policy to
confront and hold accountable any student who is intoxicated, even in the
privacy of his/her own room:
Section
17.4 Endangering Conduct is any act that imperils or jeopardizes the health or
safety of any person or persons. Note:
This policy applies to actions that are endangering to self or to others.
·
The
University’s alcohol policy is also referenced in the University’s Graduate
and Undergraduate Catalogs (see attachment 2) and in the Safety
and Security booklet (see attachment 3) that is published by the University
Police department and distributed to students and parents.
·
Recognized
student clubs and organizations are put on notice that they are required to
abide by all university policies. This
is done through the University Jurisdiction statement that is published in the 1999-2000
Student Handbook (page 49) which states: “Any policies or laws
which apply to individual students also apply to recognized student clubs and
organizations.” Also, the Club and
Organization Leader & Adviser Manual, which is distributed to each
University recognized student organization, includes information about ABC
policies and their enforcement by the University and law enforcement agencies
(see attachment 4).
·
University
sanctions for violations of alcohol policies (see response to item #19) were
increased in severity beginning in January 1998 and are now judged to be
sufficiently stringent to convey to students the importance of these policies
and to discourage violations (see summaries of outcomes).
·
In the
fall of 1998, the Office of Residential Life successfully launched the
“six-pack project” for all on-campus students.
Residential Life staff members left a six pack of Coca-Cola product in
each residence hall room. This free
gift was waiting on residents when they moved into their new homes.
Along with the six pack was a letter informing students about RU’s
alcohol policies (with information about judicial policies, educational
assessment fees, parental notification, and health risks).
In bold print at the top of the letter was the theme of the six-pack
project which stated that “If you’re under 21 years old, this type of six
pack is the only six pack you’re allowed to have on campus.”
This project seemed to be a popular and positive way to get out a very
important message.
·
The
Intercollegiate Athletics Department has strict policies and sanctions regarding
the use of drugs and alcohol by athletes.
·
Kendall
Lott, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs.
·
The Plan
will be presented by the President to the Board of Visitors during the Fall
semester 2000.
·
Periodic
reports are made to the Board of Visitors throughout the year concerning the
University’s progress in addressing alcohol and other substance abuse issues.
·
The
Alcohol Task Force has a broad representation with faculty, staff and student
members. Dr. Kendall Lott,
Associate VPSA is designated chair of the Task Force.
·
During
January - May 2000, a comprehensive self-study of the University’s Alcohol and
Other Drug Program was conducted by a broadly representative committee.
The findings and recommendations resulting from this self-study will
provide direction for additional improvements to the program.
·
A very
clear and highly effective system for reporting and recording alcohol-related
incidents has been in place for several years.
A three-part form is used to file campus judicial charges for every
violation and a second three-part form is used to record and report the outcome
of the “settlement” or hearing of those charges.
The charges and the outcome are logged in a specially designed computer
data base, access to which is limited to designated personnel at the offices of
the Dean of Students and Residential Life.
This database makes it possible for a variety of reports concerning
alcohol-related cases to be produced. Throughout
the year, summary information about alcohol and drug-related violations is
distributed to administrative staff who are concerned with efforts to reduce
binge drinking and the illegal use of alcohol and drugs.
·
The
University police department also maintains a log of alcohol-related cases that
are handled by their personnel. That
department submits a monthly report of on-campus crimes to the Virginia State
Police Uniform Crime Reporting Program (UCR).
Statistics concerning the number of on-campus alcohol related arrests are
reported in the Safety & Security
booklet that is published by the University Police Department.
Individual cases are reported to the University community in the
“Police Beat” log that is included in The
Tartan, a weekly student-produced campus newspaper.
·
The RU
AWARE program is the university’s primary intervention program for students
who may be abusing alcohol and/or other drugs.
RU AWARE consists of three levels. First
time violators of the RU alcohol and other drug policy participate in a six-hour
prevention/education class, On Campus Talking About Alcohol (OCTAA) and meet
with a counselor. After a second
violation students are referred for an on-campus substance abuse assessment.
Students committing a third violation are referred off campus for a
substance abuse assessment. The
student may be placed in a treatment group and/or receive individual counseling
or treatment. Parents of freshman
students under age 21 are notified following a second offense.
Parents of undergraduate students of any classification are notified if a
student who are under the age of 21 requires medical attention as a result of an
alcohol or other drug violation.
10.
Increase the programming,
funding and promotion of alcohol-free activities.
·
Substance
Abuse and Sexual Assault Education Office was awarded Virginia Alcoholic
Beverage Control Board grant to enhance peer education activities (Jan. - May
2000). Peer Educators sponsored a
Friday Night Dry event attended by 150 students.
·
The Heth
Student Center continues extended hours of operation to better accommodate
students’ preferences.
·
Campus
Activities Board provides a weekly, evening movies series and Rock-N-Bowl once a
month.
·
Club
Programming Funding is seeking to increase the amount of funding available for
university clubs and organizations sponsoring free programs on campus.
The Heth Student Center is actively encouraging groups to sponsor late
night weekend activities.
11.
Increase and promote
alcohol-free student housing.
·
Radford
University has provided a substance free housing option to students for five
years. A substance free floor was
incorporated into a newly formed “Wellness Hall” during the 1999-2000
academic year. The concept of
Wellness, including the impact of alcohol on Wellness, was stressed.
·
Student
Success Starts Here is a collaborative effort between the Heth Student Center,
the Office of New Student Programs, and the Office of Residential Life. This
series sponsors educational programming including goal-setting, taking
responsibility, and academic study skills, for University 100 classes and
students living in the residence halls.
·
Faculty
and staff are invited to attend student-sponsored events.
14.
Enforce the risk management policies and procedures of national Greek
organizations.
·
The
Interfraternity and Panhellenic Risk Management policies are consistent with
those stipulated by most National Greek organizations including Fraternity
Insurance Purchasing Group (FIPG). The University policy is endorsed and
followed by IFC and Panhellenic chapters on the campus.
15.
Request that local fraternities comply with the National Interfraternity
Conference’s recommendation to pursue alcohol-free chapter facilities.
·
The Greek
Advisor makes recommendations to organizations. Radford University does not have
identifiable chapter facilities on campus.
16.
Consider delaying fraternity and sorority rush to the second semester.
·
Freshmen
Fraternity and Sorority rush is currently deferred to second semester.
17.
Require class attendance.
·
Class
attendance policies are determined by each instructor.
Most faculty have policies that permit a limited number of absences.
18.
Consider adding more Friday classes
19.
Establish a range of penalties for students and organizations that
violate state law and campus policy.
·
The
University has established fairly specific guidelines for the sanctions that are
to be assigned to students who violate the alcoholic beverage policy (see
attachment 5). These guidelines are
used to help insure an appropriate level of consistency in responding to
violations.
·
The range
of sanctions for violations committed by University recognized student clubs and
organizations range from a censure to revocation of recognition.
These sanctions are listed in the Club
and Organization Leader & Adviser Manual (see attachment 4).
20.
Enforce uniformly student codes of conduct at university-sanctioned
functions and events on and off campus.
·
Uniform
enforcement of student conduct codes at University-sponsored functions, both on
and off campus, has been in effect for several years.
·
University
Police enforce state alcohol laws, university alcohol policy, and standards of
conduct on-campus and at all university-sanctioned functions.
21.
Ask the university and local communities to work together to reduce
binge and illegal drinking off campus.
·
University
Police and Radford City Police Department representatives took part in a student
forum addressing enforcement of alcohol related issues.
·
The
Radford City-University Joint Advisory Commission is composed of University and
community leaders. The goal is to
improve and enhance the relationship between the University and the City of
Radford. The Substance Abuse and
Sexual Assault Educator is a member of this Commission.
·
New River
Valley Enforcement Coalition on College-Age Drinking is composed of University
and community representatives. The
Coalition's goal is to reduce the harmful effects of binge and illegal drinking
through collaborative enforcement and education.
22.
Use a social marketing approach on campus.
·
Alcohol
message “Chugging Can Kill” ad placed in Tartan discouraging binge drinking
during Spring Break, distributed Frisbees with message, “Catch a Wave, Not a
Buzz”.
·
Distributed
key chains at alcohol presentations with message “21 for Everyone”.
·
Educational
programming on alcohol abuse and overdose is regularly presented by the Office
of Substance Abuse and Sexual Assault Education, the Office of Residence Life,
Office of New Student Programs, University 100, and Peer Educators.
·
Posters,
table tents, key chains and information sheets with social norms regarding
alcohol and other drug use were distributed during alcohol awareness week.
·
Peer
Educators distributed Safe Spring Break materials to over 100 students.
·
The
Student Government Associations at Radford University and at Virginia Tech
co-sponsored a billboard display on Route 114 from September 1998 until June
1999. The billboard included a
large display warning against the hazards of drinking and driving.
23.
Discourage alcoholic beverage-related sponsorship of on campus
activities.
·
Implemented
according to Heth Student Center Policy.
24.
Discourage the advertisement and promotion of alcoholic beverages on
campus.
·
Implemented
according to Heth Student Center Policy.
25.
Discourage students from rapidly ingesting alcohol.
·
Education
programming focuses on low risk drinking guidelines (see numbers 9 and 22) and
includes dangers of excessive drinking.
26.
Include a statement of the campus alcohol policy in the admission
application.
·
Admission
recruiters provide copies and address questions on University alcohol policy and
sanctions.
·
The
following statement was included beginning with the 1999 admission application:
"Radford University considers substance abuse to be a serious detriment to
the learning process and the well-being of the community. Consequently, the
University has taken a firm stand against underage and/or excessive consumption
of alcohol or use of illegal drugs. Such behavior is incompatible with the goals
of the University and will be dealt with accordingly."
27.
Ask substance abuse prevention personnel and students to attend the ABC
conference.
·
Five
staff, faculty and students attended the October 1999 conference.
28.
Report alcohol and drug related disciplinary offenses to parents
according to law.
·
Effective
fall semester 1998, the University began a parental notification system.
Parents/guardians of freshmen who are under the age of 21 are notified if
the student has a second alcohol violation or one drug violation.
The University also notifies parents of students under the age of 21 of
any classification if the student requires medical attention as the result of an
alcohol or drug-related violation. A sample copy of the notice that is sent to
parents is attached (see attachment 6)
29.
Amend student application and financial aid forms to indicate student
dependency.
·
This is
not necessary due to the changes in Federal law.
30.
Inform parents that a student waiver is required for the school to
report alcohol or drug violations to parents. Request that students sign a
waiver to notify parents of violations.
·
This
initiative was met beginning in the fall if 1998. However, due to the 1998 changes in Federal law, student
waivers are no longer required prior to notifying parents of students under the
age or 21 about alcohol and drug violations.
31.
Include parents in the orientation instruction regarding alcohol and
drug use.
·
Parents
are included in the orientation regarding alcohol and other drug use when they
attend the University’s new student orientation program (QUEST).
·
Parents
of new students are given a copy of the Student
Handbook.
·
Beginning
in 1998, parents have been given a copy of the Radford University Parents/Family Association Handbook, which has a
section on the Standards of Student Conduct.
·
Beginning
in 1998, the University has distributed an informational packet to the parents
of all new freshmen to inform them of the University’s efforts to combat
alcohol and drug abuse by college students and to engage families in helping to
address this nation-wide concern. The
packet includes a very informative letter from the Assistant Vice President for
Student Affairs/Dean of Students (see attachment 7) and a copy of the booklet: Alcohol
Use by College Students, A Guide for Parents.
This project is jointly sponsored and funded by the Radford University
Student Government Association and the Parents/Family Association Council.
·
The
Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students and other
University staff have met periodically with the Parents/Family Association
Council to inform them about the initiatives being taken by the University to
combat alcohol abuse by students and to gain their support of those efforts.
32.
Encourage communication between parents and the campus regarding alcohol
abuse and encourage parents to be advocates to presidents, boards of visitors,
students, law enforcement and elected officials.
·
When
parents are notified of alcohol or drug violations, they are given the name of
the University official whom they may contact for additional information.
·
The
Radford University Parents/Family Association Council has been kept informed
about the initiatives being taken by the University to combat alcohol abuse by
students and the council has been asked to provide feed back to university
officials.
·
The
Office of Substance Abuse and Sexual Assault Education consults regularly with
parents regarding alcohol and drug use and abuse.
33.
Include parents in work groups, committees, and forums regarding binge
drinking.
·
As stated
above, the Radford University Parents/Family Association Council has been
briefed on the University’s efforts and has been asked to provide input.
34.
Send an annual letter from each president to parents regarding alcohol
laws, policies, and penalties.
·
As stated
above, beginning in the summer of 1998, the University has sent a letter to the
parents of all new freshmen to inform them about the University’s policies,
sanctions, and educational initiatives concerning the abusive and illegal use of
alcohol.
35.
Ask student leaders and organizations to instruct and influence other
students, especially freshmen, about the dangers, illegality and irrationality
of alcohol and drug abuse.
·
The
Student Action Team (SAT) and BACCHUS have formed a Peer Education Team.
Peer Educators are specifically selected and trained to educate and
inform students about the use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs.
Peer educators provide programming for all students with a specific focus
on freshmen and residential students.
·
Leadership
Development Series is sponsored by the Heth Student Center’s Student
Leadership Program (LEAD). This is
a monthly round table discussion among club leaders and members. Several formal workshops, Leadership Odyssey and Momentum,
are held throughout the Spring and Fall semesters.
·
Peer
Instructors take an active role in annually communicating issues related to
alcohol use to nearly 70 sections of University 100 classes.
36.
Organize and promote alcohol free events.
·
Expansion
of RU Outdoors, the Intramural program, and programs offered in Heth Student
Center.
·
CAB movie
series weekly and Rock-N-Bowl monthly.
·
Club
Program Funds used to sponsor alcohol free events.
37.
Encourage fraternities and sororities to host alcohol free events.
·
Each
Greek organization is currently encouraged to sponsor and host alcohol free
activities. This expectation is currently recommended as an addition to the
Minimum Standards requiring fraternities and sororities to host an alcohol
awareness event on campus with a five point reward system towards minimum
standards.
38.
Request local fraternity affiliates to comply with the NIFC
recommendation regarding alcohol free facilities.
·
(see
number 15)
39.
Form a statewide parents group to provide speakers and are advocates
regarding campus alcohol/drug abuse.
40.
Ask parents’ committees to help reduce the level of alcohol and drug
abuse on campus.
41.
Educate children regarding the legal and responsible use of alcohol by
word and deed.
42.
Be aware of campus alcohol abuse prevention and education services.
43.
Remind parents that they have the authority to rescind the driver’s
license of their minor son or daughter.
44.
Form programs to educate parents on alcohol laws, penalties, dangers and
intervention.
45.
Ask PTAs to gather and update information on alcohol abuse, violations
and prevention.
46.
Local law enforcement, campus police and ABC to work together to
vigorously enforce state alcohol and drug laws both on and off campus. A written
plan to clarify operational and jurisdictional issues should be drafted.
·
New River
Valley Enforcement Coalition on College Age Drinking has drafted a written
operational and jurisdictional plan with Radford University Police Department,
Radford City Police Department, and ABC.
47.
Sting operations in campus communities to continue to discourage
underage sales.
48.
ABC to increase penalties for second violations of sales to, or
consumption by, underage or intoxicated patrons.
49.
ABC to assign more personnel to university and college localities.
50.
ABC to automate the registration of kegs to allow real time access by
authorized agencies.
51.
Provide financial support for programming of alcohol free events for
students.
52.
Sponsor alcohol free tailgate parties and other alcohol free alumni
events, and encourage administrative efforts to reduce alcohol abuse.
·
Alumni
Affairs has made an effort to reduce or eliminate alcohol use at sponsored
events. When alcohol is present, it
is given a diminished role and is matched or exceeded by non-alcoholic beverages
and foods.
·
Fall of
1999, Alumni Affairs sponsored TIPS training for their staff and student workers
in preparation for homecoming events.
53.
Expand class action programs for middle and high school students on
alcohol/drug laws, penalties, and dangers.
54.
Collect, maintain and distribute data on national and local alcohol and
drug abuse trends.
55.
Produce, in cooperation with SCHEV and ABC, educational materials to
discourage binge drinking and illegal drinking.
56.
Implement aggressive programs to prohibit the illegal sale of alcohol to
underage persons.
57.
Do not use irresponsible marketing practices that encourage binge
drinking.
58.
ABC, SCHEV, and the Virginia State Police to develop an alcohol use and
abuse data collection and distribution system for colleges, universities, local
school divisions and the public at large.
59.
Increase ABC fines for sales to, or consumption by, underage or
intoxicated persons.
60.
Increase funding for ABC enforcement on and near college and university
campuses.
61.
Enact stiffer drunk driving laws.
62.
Increase funding for ABC grants to colleges and universities for alcohol
free events.
65.
The federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, (FERPA) creates
and impediment to the disclosure of a nondependent student’s educational
record to parents without the student’s consent. College officials should
notify parents, to the extent allowed by law, of violations of college alcohol
policy and matters related to health and safety. The Commonwealth should affirm
its policy of indemnifying college officials for good faith violations of FERPA
and other student confidentiality matters. The Attorney General should designate
a group to work with Virginia’s congressional delegation to amend FERPA to
facilitate the transmission of student information from secondary schools to
colleges and from colleges to parents.