Summer 2001 Drug and Alcohol Notification Policy

Dear GW Parents:
This fall, The George Washington University will welcome our incoming freshmen class and will welcome back returning students. We look forward to working with you to make your students’ transition a positive experience. Beginning with presentations at Colonial Inauguration, and reinforced through community meetings in the residence halls, GW continuously provides opportunities for students to become familiar campus policies on alcohol and other drugs. However, the most critical learning opportunity for students is right now and we need your help.

Before your students arrive, we urge you to talk openly and candidly about alcohol and other drug use. Discuss negative consequences of alcohol and drug use, your expectations regarding alcohol use, and University policy regarding alcohol and other drugs. Studies have shown that there is a positive correlation between parents having discussions with their students and the decreased use of alcohol by these same students.

Alcohol consumption has become a serious issue on college campuses across the country, and The George Washington University is not immune from this problem. During an academic year, college students across the nation spend $5.5 billion on alcohol alone – more than the total they spend on books, school supplies, and other drinks combined. Furthermore, 54% of disciplinary cases during the 2000-2001 academic year at GW involved alcohol. Alcohol and other drug cases can result in fines, removal from housing, probation, suspension, or expulsion. On campus, 55 students were removed from campus housing for violating the University’s alcohol and other drug policies; 88 students were arrested off campus by the DC Metropolitan Police Department as a part of a continuing citywide crackdown on underage drinking.

Flowcharts from the sanction section of GW’s alcohol and other drug education(including definitions) are provided to all residential students in several forms, including the Residential Community Conduct Guidelines. Students may also obtain the flow charts from the Office of Student Judicial Services.

The George Washington University has numerous resources that assist in addressing alcohol and other drug issues. The Center for Alcohol and other Drug Education (CADE) serves as the University’s walk-in resource center regarding alcohol and other drug issues. CADE provides educational classes and workshops, informational programs, awareness campaigns, and substance free programming, among other resources. In addition, CADE has a network of peer educators who work to inform their fellow students about alcohol and other drug issues. The University is also a part of community-based partnerships aimed at combating college student alcohol abuse in the Washington area. Visit the CADE website at www.gwu.edu/~cade or
e-mail us at cade@gwu.edu for more information.

Whether you are the parent of a new or returning student, it is important that you discuss alcohol and other drug use with your student. We are ready to assist in any way that we can, and we look forward to seeing you in the fall!

Sincerely,

Brian F. Hamluk
Director, Center for Alcohol and other Drug Education