Alcohol policy at Delaware

KIS360 · 01-28-2008, 12:49 PM

I've heard that Delaware has become very strict with their no alcohol policy on campus. My son is applying there, and we're trying to get more info from students about what the implications of this policy are for social life on campus. He's not a major "party-er" but he also doesn't want to live in fear of being sent home if he is caught involved with alcohol. We know someone personally who was sent home this year. Can any current students please respond to me personally, or though this thread? Thanks.

Whistle Pig · 01-28-2008, 01:38 PM

I've heard that UD is a frontrunner in alcohol/drug education and prevention.

Each parent to her own, but I'm wondering if another tree might need barking up on this one. Our exchange certainly is revealing about the disparate values of society on this issue. I'd have said "I've heard that Delaware has become very responsive and accountable with their no alcohol policy on campus. etc. etc." Guess that makes the world go round.

Mattmoosemom · 01-28-2008, 05:35 PM

My son is a freshman in Russell this year. He said that the kids do have fun without alcohol. They gather together in each others' rooms or in the lounge. Parties go on at the frat houses and he says they are loud enough to hear from the outside. If you have any specific questions, I can ask him for you.

schwa · 01-28-2008, 11:31 PM

I'm a sophomore at UD and not a huge partier, although I do go out sometimes. Frankly, it's pretty easy to get away with drinking underage if you're careful about it, meaning you're not obviously intoxicated around RAs or making a spectacle of yourself outside where cops are. If you get caught with alcohol you're not sent home, you get a warning first and then a hearing, I believe. (There's a three-strike policy.) Some RAs are stricter than others...mine this year says that as long as you're not a danger to yourself or others, she has bigger things to worry about. But there's always a stickler or two who pay a very close watch on the weekends. That being said, there are plenty of things to do on campus that don't involve alcohol...I very rarely went out my freshman year and still had a great time with my friends.

Mattmoosemom · 01-29-2008, 08:33 AM

Two kids in my son's dorm were given 2 strikes when they were found passed out on the street with a BAC 2 times the limit. So I asked him what the 2 strikes mean. We were told as parents that it's 3 strikes and you're out. At freshmen orientation in the fall, they were told it all depends on the situation. So, if these 2 kids get another strike, it depends on the situation whether or not they would be out. I would suspect if they were found drop down drunk again, that would do it. If the infraction was due to something less serious, like excessive noise violations, it most likely wouldn't. It is true that the RA's very in their strictness, which is probably true everywhere.

KIS360 · 01-29-2008, 10:10 AM

Thanks Mattmoosemom for your info. I figured this kid we know had some serious violations. What we heard is he was on probation for a warning and then was found "stumbling around campus" by a police officer. It's sad that so many kids over do the alcohol. I hope those kids you mentioned with the high blood alcohol levels have learned their lesson, before they get in more trouble (i.e. with their health or safety!!!)

Mattmoosemom · 01-29-2008, 04:37 PM

I have not gotten the impression that alcohol is a big problem on campus, at least not in my son's experience. He said a kid would be stupid to bring anything into the dorm. UD certainly is addressing the issue more than they did 10 years ago.

artiesdad · 01-30-2008, 05:26 AM

Mattmossemom,

I am too a parent of a Delaware student so I know about the 3 strike policy. My daughter recently mentioned that a kid can get a strike if he/she shows up at the medical services and the personnel there suspects/confirms that he/she has been drinking. As a result of this policy students hesitate to go to the clinic or take a friend that needs assistance, particularly if they already have strikes.

I have not been able to confirm this information but if it is the case, I view this as a highly counterproductive and potentially dangerous policy. I would be interested to hear from another parent on this topic. I have been meaning to do some research, even call the university, but I am spending a large amount of time on the road.

Mattmoosemom · 01-30-2008, 07:31 AM

You make a good point. I remember reading something about that issue on the UD website, and I will look for it. I did find this on their strike system.

1st offense: may include but not limited to disciplinary probation for one year, alcohol education, $100 fine, parental notification

2nd offense: may include but not limited to deferred suspension from the University for one year, substance abuse referral, $250 fine, parental notification

3rd offense: may include but not limited to suspension from the University for one year, parental notification

Whistle Pig · 01-30-2008, 12:09 PM

Just curious ... does anyone know how parents can be notified of this issue in light of the privacy act? Does UD also send grades to parents?

herbrokemom · 01-30-2008, 01:33 PM

Your responisbility is to pay the bills. You do not the grades.

Mattmoosemom · 01-30-2008, 02:36 PM

UD does not send grades to the parents. However, starting in 1998, a federal law allowed (but did not require) colleges to notify parents any time a student under 21 violates drug or alcohol laws. Since then, many colleges have adopted a policy of mandatory parental notification. Policies vary from campus to campus, but usually you can find the school's policy on their website or in a school manual.

Mattmoosemom · 01-30-2008, 03:07 PM

Exploiting an Exception to Federal Privacy Laws, Schools
Increasingly Notify Parents When Kids Are Caught With Alcohol

Go to this link to read the article entitled above:
Colleges Move Boldly On Student Drinking - WSJ.com

artiesdad · 01-31-2008, 07:47 AM

Mattmoosemom.

Thanks for your response. I will try to do some research on the topic when I am back home. My daughter should be back from study abroad. I will talk to her.

Overall I agree with the strike policy even though, as mentioned by a student above, drinking definitely takes place on campus and common sense will keep the majority of the students from getting a strike. Hopefully the idea that students avoid getting help is a missunderstanding. Otherwise I think UD needs to review their approach.

KIS360 · 01-31-2008, 01:49 PM

Thanks so much for the link to that article. It was very informative. I'm all for the parental notification. Then at least the parents know to talk to their kids about it, and to look for other related problems. After all, although they may be 18, they are still our dependents while they are college students. Any other interesting related info would be appreciated.