Parental Notification can Reduce Underage Drinking at College

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 8, 2009

CONTACT: ADAM CIRUCCI
PHONE: 610-692-2112
acirucci@pasenate.com

State Senator Andy Dinniman announced that a new state-commissioned study he requested has found a decrease in alcohol-related misbehavior at universities that notify students’ parents when their underage son or daughter violates drug or alcohol rules.

The study, conducted by the Joint State Government Commission, concluded that “initial research … shows that parental notification policies, as permitted under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) amendment, have produced a reduction in repeat violations of institutional drug and alcohol policies.”

The study was approved by the legislature through the passage of Dinniman’s Senate Resolution 243 last session.

A member of Senator Dinniman’s staff will present the report and its findings at the Strategic Planning Session scheduled to be held by West Chester University and Borough officials on Tuesday, June 9. The session has been called to develop a community-campus strategy focused on alcohol issues.

“For far too long, the residents of West Chester and other college towns have had to put up with excessive and unacceptable behavior by young adults and college students,” Dinniman said. “I have always felt that parents want to know and need to know if their underage sons or daughters are engaging in illegal and dangerous behavior when away from home at college. I also believe that parental notification would make a difference in student behavior, and this study has confirmed my gut feelings.”

Dinniman said that by exercising parental notification, universities involve parents in the issue and allow them to be part of the solution to the excessive underage drinking problems that plague many college towns.

“This study marks the first step in developing legislation thattackles alcohol-related issues and crime in college towns. I am proud to share it with the borough and hope that it provides local leaders with some additional insight and guidance as they take on this issue,” he said.

Dinniman also encouraged local residents and officials to share with him with any suggestions or recommendations for possible legislation to address the university-related alcohol issues facing West Chester and other college towns.

For more details, contact Adam Cirucci in Senator Dinniman’s office at 610-692-2112 or at acirucci@pasenate.com.

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