Pubdate: Wed, 27 Sep 2000 Source: Blade, The (OH) Copyright: 2000 The Blade Contact: 541 North Superior St., Toledo OH 43660 Website: http://www.toledoblade.com/ Author: Ryan E. Smith Bookmark: additional articles on student issues are available at http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm and articles on Ohio are available at http://www.mapinc.org/states/oh.htm UT MAY TELL PARENTS ABOUT STUDENT ALCOHOL, DRUG USE University of Toledo students under age 21 who violate the school's alcohol and drug policy soon could have more to worry about than a hangover or bad trip. The UT board of trustees today will consider an addition to its student code of conduct that would call for parents or guardians to be notified of certain violations. "If there is a law that empowers the university to do this and we choose not to do it, one could argue that we are not fulfilling our responsibility as an institution of higher education," James Tuschman, board chairman, said yesterday during a meeting of the committee on student services and athletics. The proposal was made possible by a 1998 amendment to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. If it is approved, UT would notify the parents or guardians of students under 21 who violate the university's drug policy or who are repeat offenders of its alcohol policy. Parents also would be contacted if such a student requires medical attention as a result of any violation. Student reaction to the proposal has been very mixed, according to John Cooke, a student member of the university's board of trustees. "They want their freedom," he said. "At the same time, we want to be able to help them." UT sophomore Emily Keefe, of Bellevue, O., was equally conflicted. "I guess it's a good idea if your parents are paying for college," she said. Still, she added, "You move to school to get away from your parents." It is important to students that the intent of the policy be to help students and not just go over their heads to their parents, said Scott Mattera, student government president. The measure was not proposed in response to a large number of code violators at the university, but rather as a means of being proactive, Calvin Lawshe, UT interim vice president for student services, said. Last year, UT had 271 drug and alcohol violations, including repeat offenders. University students who violate the code face a fine and must attend a program that deals with substance abuse, according to Ed Willis, dean of students at UT. Bowling Green State University implemented a similar parental notification policy in January without any controversy, Kim McBroom, a university spokeswoman, said. Parents or guardians are notified when a BGSU student is found responsible for the use, sale, or possession of controlled substances within the community. Notification also is made when the student is under the age of 21 and commits one of several violations to the university's alcohol policies, according to the code of conduct. - --- MAP posted-by: Thunder