Source: Chronicle of Higher Education, The (US) Contact: http://chronicle.com/ Pubdate: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 Author: JOSHUA ROLNICK VIRGINIA TECH PRESIDENT SUGGESTS BATTLING STUDENT DRINKING WITH HOMEWORK The president of Virginia Tech has asked all faculty members to help curb alcohol abuse among students by ending the practice of giving less homework on weekends. "The expectation of productive academic work over the weekend can also be very helpful in keeping students focused on their academic purposes," wrote the president, Paul E. Torgersen, in a memorandum he sent to all professors. The memo urges faculty members to send the message "that the abuse of alcohol is not just a rite of passage to be tolerated." President Torgersen also warns professors to avoid remarks that appear to condone excessive drinking. According to Larry Hincker, associate vice-president for university relations, President Torgersen circulated the memo because he thought the entire university -- not just health services -- should encourage students avoid drinking too much. Virginia Tech has an average of two or three cases of near-fatal alcohol poisoning each semester, Mr. Hincker said. But students may not be open to faculty intervention. "You don't usually have a personal relationship with professors, and if they suddenly come up and say, 'You look hung over,' that's going to be weird," said an accounting student, who asked not to be identified. She said students already feel swamped with homework, and assigning more would not influence how much they drank. Copyright 1998 by The Chronicle of Higher Education - --- Checked-by: Rich O'Grady