University of Virginia Vice President for Student AffairsRotunda at U.Va.Rotunda at U.Va.
Biography of Patricia M. LampkinOrganization & CommitteesCommunicationsFormsStaffHome

Communications

Date: Aug 13, 2009

To: Parents/Guardians of all U.Va. first-year students

From: Allen W. Groves, Associate Vice President and Dean of Students

Subject: Alcohol-Wise program

 

Dear Parent/Guardian of a U.Va. First-Year Student:

 

If you are like most parents of teenagers, you may wonder how much your son or daughter listens to your opinions and is still guided by your influence as they grow into adults. You probably wonder how they will navigate the many decisions that lie ahead of them this year. These are important questions, and I want to talk with you about some of the answers as they relate to alcohol use.

 

This e-mail includes an invitation to take an online course, Alcohol-Wise. Earlier this week, I sent an e-mail to your daughter or son, encouraging her or him to take the course as soon as possible. As I mentioned during Summer Orientation, by taking the course yourself, I hope you will gain further insight into this topic and take advantage of an additional opportunity to talk with your student about alcohol use.

 

Considerable evidence shows that parents play a critical role in their students' success in college, particularly with regard to choices about alcohol use. Several national studies have found that when parents of first-year college students discuss alcohol issues with their daughters and sons during the summer before they start college, these students drink less and have fewer drinking-related consequences. Based on current research, here is what we know about parent involvement as it relates to student alcohol use:

  • Parents are uniquely qualified to communicate with their son or daughter because they know their strengths, weaknesses and maturity level. In terms of communication, the more personal the better. One size rarely fits all, and again, parents know their children best.
  • When parents communicate more frequently about the risks of alcohol abuse, their daughter's and son's attitudes about drinking become less positive.
  • Important communication components include: discussing ways to have fun without alcohol, clarifying risks and negative consequences of drinking, talking about ways to be assertive and resist pressure to drink heavily, and ensuring that communication lines remain open throughout the first year of college.
  • Timing is important. The weeks and months just prior to the start of school are the best times to have these conversations.

So while it is true that your son or daughter is becoming more independent with each passing day, it is never too late to have important and frank conversations about the decisions they will make. We encourage you to become a partner with us and to help make our alcohol abuse prevention efforts as effective as possible by reinforcing your son's or daughter's ability to make healthy choices.

 

Please take some time to complete the Alcohol-Wise course and encourage your son or daughter to do likewise. It is most effective if your son or daughter completes the course in private. There is no charge; log-in information is provided below.

 

Your son or daughter is listening. Don't miss an opportunity to contribute to her or his success.

We appreciate your active partnership with us on this important issue.

 

Sincerely,

Allen W. Groves
Associate Vice President and Dean of Students

 

*****************************************************************

 

ALCOHOL-WISE First-Year Student Education Program

 

Enrollment Instructions for U.Va. Parents

 

Alcohol-Wise is an online alcohol prevention course from 3rd Millennium Classrooms that includes personalized feedback on college student drinking behaviors. The course takes about one hour to complete, and you can log in and out as needed.

 

On August 10, all U.Va. first-year students received an e-mail from Associate Vice President and Dean of Students Allen Groves with information about the program and log-in instructions.

 

Resident Assistants (RAs) of first-year students will help U.Va. ensure that first-year students complete the course by September 4.

 

Parents are invited to take the course at no charge. You'll need access to the Internet and an e-mail address. If you would like to take the course, please follow these steps:

  1. Go to www.3rdmilclassrooms.com
  2. Click on Begin Enrollment-College on the left side menu.
  3. When you are directed to the Control Number page, enter the code below.

 

UVAPNT

 

Notes:

 

Do not include payment or credit card information on the enrollment form.

 

After enrollment you will receive a password immediately on the screen and by e-mail.

 

Log in using your e-mail address and password.

 

You will receive an e-mail in 60 days reminding you to complete the 15-minute follow-up survey.

 

For more information on the course content, please go to 3rd Millennium Classroom's Alcohol-Wise Web page http://www.3rdmilclassrooms.com/Websitepages/CollegeAW.aspx or contact U.Va.'s Center for Alcohol & Substance Education (CASE) at 434-924-5276 or case@virginia.edu.

 

*****************************************************************

 

For technical problems, contact:
3rd Millennium Classrooms
6507 Grove Creek Drive
San Antonio, TX 78256

 

Call toll-free: 888-810-7990

 

E-mail: info@3rdmilclassrooms.com