Communications

Date: August 8, 2012

To: Parents of Incoming First-Year and Transfer Students

From: Allen Groves, University Dean of Students

Re: Alcohol-Wise: Invitation to U.Va. Parents to review Online Course

Dear Parent/Guardian of a U.Va. First-Year [or Transfer] 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 email includes an invitation to preview an online alcohol education program, Alcohol-Wise. Yesterday, I sent an email to your daughter or son, encouraging her or him to complete the program by Friday, August 24. As I mentioned during Summer Orientation, by reviewing the program 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: providing accurate information about the true drinking norms at U.Va., clarifying risks and consequences of drinking, discussing ways to have fun without alcohol, talking about ways to be assertive and resist perceived pressure to drink and ensuring that communication lines remain open throughout the college years.
• 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 and safely respond to peers who are disruptive or in danger.

Please take some time to review the Alcohol-Wise program 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
University Dean of Students

Alcohol-Wise First-Year Student Education Program
Enrollment Instructions for U.Va. Parents

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

On August 7, all U.Va. first-year [and transfer] students received an email from University Dean of Students Allen Groves with information about the program and log-in instructions. First-year [and transfer] students are expected to complete the program by Friday, August 24.

Parents are invited to review the program at no charge. You'll need access to the Internet and an email address. When you are prompted to complete the self-assessment, feel free to enter hypothetical answers to see the kinds of feedback that are provided for students based on different drinking levels.

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 email.
• Log in using your email address and password.
  

You will receive an email in 60 days inviting you to complete a brief follow-up survey. You may review the survey or simply delete the email reminder.

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.