TALKING ABOUT ALCOHOL AND OTHER SUBSTANCES

Pennsylvania state law and Villanova's policies forbid the purchase, possession, consumption or transportation of alcohol by anyone under 2l years old. It is also true that there are young people who use their newly increased freedom to misuse alcohol or (more rarely) other drugs. Realistically speaking, it must be said that your student will confront choices about alcohol and other substances while in college. You want them to make wise choices, and so do we. Sometimes a poor choice can impact a student's life long after the party is over. Remember, excessive drinking and substance use are not the norm and students have a good time at Villanova without them.

Talk with your student about choices and the consequences of their actions. The conversations you have will strongly impact the decisions they make while away at college and lead them to healthier choices. This section contains some general information and provides guidance to lead the discussion with your child. 

• Brain research has come a long way. We now know the brain is developing into the mid-20s, and the earlier someone begins drinking and using other substances, the more their brains are primed for problem alcohol use in college and into young adulthood. 
• Brain research has also shown that someone who begins drinking at an earlier age and continues to drink in college is doing significant, and potentially irreversible, damage to the white matter in their brain. This directly impacts cognitive ability and could also negatively impact a student's academic performance.
• Family members and students report different ideas about what is acceptable and responsible use of alcohol. At Villanova, more than 70% of parents and guardians have said that they believe responsible drinking is OK, but a student should never get drunk. When we asked students about their family’s attitudes, most reported that their family members actually believed that occasionally getting drunk is OK, as long as it does not interfere with their academics or other responsibilities. 
• Is there a family history of alcoholism and/or other substance addiction? This is a very important conversation to have with your child before they leave for college. More than 25% of incoming Villanova students report having at least one family member with a history of addiction. 

• The culture of alcohol use on college campuses is different than it was 25 years ago. Gone are the days of chugging beer and keg stands. Today’s college students are drinking more, drinking more hard liquor, pre-gaming before events to prime themselves for the night, and using other substances in combination with alcohol. Pre-gaming describes students drinking in small groups before a bigger event (e.g., game, formal, party) where they might not have access to alcohol. By pre-gaming, students are often consuming more than five drinks over the course of an hour before they even get to another event where they continue to drink. 
• As part of your alcohol conversation, discuss your expectations of your student. If we asked your student how you would answer these questions, what would they say? 

1. My family expects me to abstain from alcohol until I am 21. 
2. My family expects that if I choose to drink, I will not drink and drive. 
3. My family expects that if I choose to drink, I will not exceed a certain amount of alcohol. 
4. My family expects that if I choose to drink, my grades will not be affected. 
5. My family expects that if I choose to drink, I will not put myself in a dangerous situation. 
6. My family expects that if I choose to drink, I will not get into trouble.
7. My family expects that if I choose to drink, and someone is in trouble, I will call for help.

• Alcohol misuse has been consistently associated with higher incidences of unplanned sexual activity, sexual and physical violence, injury, trouble with campus and local law enforcement, and fatality. First-year students are at even greater risk for these consequences in the first six weeks of their first semester on campus. 
• Parents, guardians and family members often mistakenly feel as though their influence ends when their student goes to college. Nothing could be further from the truth. Particularly in the first year, parents, guardians and family members are still cited as the number one source of information and advice for college students. It is critical that loved ones still leverage this influence in conversations with their student about a variety of things, including alcohol. 
• Even if your student did not drink in high school and has said they are committed to not drink until age 21 (or at all), you should realize that MOST college students experiment with alcohol at some point in their college career. In fact, within the first six weeks of their first semester, many students who identify as non-drinkers begin drinking. 

• Students think they know it all when it comes to alcohol. However, statistics continue to show students are not translating what they learn into the decisions they are making. Talk about what you have learned and challenge them to think through their decisions rather than accept they have “heard it all before.” 
• Be curious. Ask questions in a supportive, non-threatening way. For example, “Do you know someone who drinks a lot?” “Have you felt pressured to drink more than you wanted to?” “What does a typical weekend at Villanova look like?” Sometimes your student can paint a more complete picture if you ask questions that are not always targeting their own alcohol use. 
• Avoid falling into the “everyone is drinking” trap. Other students can influence your student in two ways: 1) There is an active social influence in which friends may suggest they “go get drunk,” and 2) there is a passive social influence in which your student perceives that everyone else is drinking and/ or getting drunk, and that it is acceptable. Resist the desire to reinforce their thinking. The reality is not everyone at Villanova is drinking. In fact, a majority of Villanova first-year students fall into one of two categories: 1) they are non-drinkers, or 2) they do not drink a lot. It can be easy to assume that your student's perceptions are the reality.

It is important for students, parents and guardians to understand the University’s Alcohol Policy.

Some important takeaways:

• Villanova complies with federal and state law, which prohibits alcohol consumption by those under the age of 21. 
• Villanova’s policies apply to student behavior both on and off the campus. 
• Villanova addresses alcohol violations through education, counseling and imposition of sanctions outlined in the Code of Student Conduct. 
• The University’s alcohol policy encourages students to seek care and assistance for their fellow students in case of alcohol or other drug-related emergencies. 
  • Students who seek help for others will typically not be subject to formal disciplinary action if they, too, are in violation of the alcohol policy.
  • Students who receive assistance in accordance with the policy will typically not face disciplinary sanctions. 
  • This policy is intended to create an environment where students receive necessary care, and those involved are required to participate in educational follow-up. 
• The University reserves the right to notify guardians about consequences for violation of the alcohol policy, consistent with Federal law. 
• The University’s alcohol policy permits students who are of legal age to possess and consume moderate amounts of certain types of alcohol on campus.

The full policy can be found here.