Pubdate: Mon 22 Feb 1999 Source: Log Cabin Democrat (AR) Contact: http://www.thecabin.net/contact/letters.shtml Website: http://www.thecabin.net/ Author: David Bennett - Log Cabin Staff Writer NOTIFICATION POLICY OUTLINED FOR DRUGS, ALCOHOL OFFENSES When a high school graduate leaves home for college, parents sometimes worry about what their son or daughter will do with their new freedom. Drugs and alcohol probably figure into a lot of their worst-case scenarios. Stories about widespread binge drinking on college campuses are not very reassuring. Federal guidelines have now changed to allow colleges and universities to notify parents if students under age 21 are found guilty of alcohol or drug violations. The University of Central Arkansas will formally adopt that policy this fall. Dr. Gary Roberts, UCA dean of students, said the decision to notify parents was prompted by a change in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, a federal law which limits access to student educational records. The 1998 Higher Education Amendment Act changed FERPA to allow colleges and universities to release information to parents of students 21 or under when those students violated campus alcohol and drug policies. Roberts said the law changed in response to increased binge drinking on U.S. campuses and several deaths attributed to alcohol abuse. "Consumption and abuse of alcohol is much less at UCA than nationwide," Roberts said referring to academic and governmental studies. Even so, there are still problems. He said the majority of violations on campus occur during students' first year. "Many freshmen come to college from fairly restrictive home environments to a campus environment where they experience many new freedoms," he said. "They need a transition period in which they learn to accept responsibility and understand the consequences associated with this freedom." Roberts said when a freshman is found guilty of alcohol or drug violations through the university's judicial process, he will send written notification to the parents. The letters will advise parents they can contact him if they have questions. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek Rea