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Communications

Date: August 7, 2012

To: Incoming First-Year and Transfer Students

From: Allen Groves, University Dean of Students

Re: Online Alcohol-Wise Course: Please Complete by Aug. 24

 

Dear First-Year [or Transfer] Student:

 

Move-In Day is almost here, and I look forward to welcoming you to the Grounds in person in a few weeks.

 

University life has much to offer, with many challenges along the way. You may be wondering how you will spend your free time and how your behaviors compare to other U.Va. students', especially regarding the use of alcohol.

 

I have seen firsthand the devastating effects of alcohol on some of our students. Every year a few students are hospitalized due to alcohol overdose or injuries sustained as a result of drinking. I have seen many lives changed for the worse because of poor decision-making at a critical moment caused by alcohol.

 

To ensure that incoming students are fully aware of how their drinking compares to other students' and know about available University resources, all first-year and transfer students are expected to complete the online Alcohol-Wise program by Friday, August 24. Your parents are also receiving information about this program and may review the program on their own.

 

As Dean of Students, I know that some of our students will choose to drink alcohol, despite being under the legal drinking age. For this reason, I must stress the following:

  • We want our students to be safe, healthy and to abide by the law.
  • We will enforce our policies.
  • We want students to make educated decisions about alcohol that protect the things they value most in life.

We respect the right of students to make their own choices, support those who choose not to drink, and strive to create a community in which the behavior of those choosing to drink does not infringe on the rights of others.

 

The Alcohol-Wise program takes about an hour to complete, and the follow-up survey in October takes about five minutes. The program provides excellent information whether you drink or not. You will have a chance to look at your own drinking habits in comparison to other U.Va. students', gain tips on how to drink in moderation and avoid hazardous drinking patterns, and learn how to deal with others who are disruptive or in danger.

 

I urge you to consider now how prominent a role you want alcohol to play in your life as a U.Va. student. I often suggest to students that they should decide what's important to them: alcohol or their education. At U.Va., you are making a significant investment in your education. Don't risk it by buying into stereotypes that equate the college experience with alcohol. Start on a positive course today by taking this information seriously.

 

I look forward to seeing you on the Grounds later this month.

 

Sincerely,

 

Allen W. Groves
University Dean of Students

 

Alcohol-Wise Enrollment Instructions for U.Va. First-Year Students

 

Alcohol-Wise is an online alcohol education program that includes private, personalized feedback on your drinking behaviors. All first-year and transfer students at U.Va. are expected to complete this class by Friday, August 24.

 

The program is completely confidential. NO ONE at U.Va. will have access to your responses, so please be honest in your survey answers so that you can be provided with useful feedback about how your behaviors compare to those of your peers.

 

To complete the program, you'll need access to the Internet and your U.Va. e-mail address. To receive credit you must follow the enrollment instructions below, enter the correct control number and earn a passing grade of 80%.

  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:

UVAAW [or UVATRS for Transfer students]

  • When entering your log-in information, PLEASE USE YOUR "@VIRGINIA.EDU" E-MAIL ADDRESS.
  • Do not include payment or credit card information on the enrollment form. There is no charge to you for the course.
  • After enrollment, you will receive a password immediately on the screen and also by e-mail.
  • LOG IN USING THIS PASSWORD AND YOUR "@VIRGINIA.EDU" E-MAIL ADDRESS. The course takes about one hour to complete, and you can log in and out as needed.
  • You will receive an e-mail on October 1 with instructions on completing a brief follow-up survey.

For technical problems, contact:

 

3rd Millennium Classrooms
Call toll-free: 888-810-7990
E-mail: info@3rdmilclassrooms.com

 

For more information on the course content, please go to 3rd Millennium Classroom's Alcohol-Wise webpage at www.3rdmilclassrooms.com/Websitepages/CollegeAW.aspx or contact U.Va.'s Gordie Center for Substance Abuse Prevention at 434-924-5276 or gordiecenter@virginia.edu.