U-M will tell parents of repeated alcohol offenses

Freshmen students caught drinking a second time at the University of Michigan could be in big trouble — from their parents.

The university, in an e-mail sent out this week, said it will notify parents of first-year students under the age of 21 who repeatedly violate alcohol and drug policies as part of a new pilot program that will be launched this fall.

The e-mail was sent out by E. Royster Harper,vice president for Student Life, and Eddie Washington, executive director for the Division of Public Safety and Security.

"We will notify parents of first-year students when a student under the age of 21 has had a second alcohol or drug violation or when a first-year student has committed a violation accompanied by other serious behavior such as needing medical attention, significant property damage or driving under the influence," the e-mail read. "At U-M, we strive to create a caring community. The safety of our students is our No. 1 priority. Our actions are intended to reduce the risk of harm and increase the safety of every student."

According to the university's website, other Big 10 universities have also created comprehensive alcohol and drug-related policies in recent years.

According to a recent report from the Office of Student Conflict Resolution, U-M has seen a spike in the number of alcohol and other drug-related instances.

In total, 465 alcohol and drug matters were addressed during the 2013-14 academic year, compared with 404 the previous year.

The e-mail also stated that the U-M Public Safety Department will partner more closely with the Ann Arbor Police Department in off-campus neighborhoods.

"Officers will provide early engagement and feedback to students to help them better understand how to avoid being in violation of alcohol laws," the e-mail stated.

According to U-M's website, the program will focus on first-year students because research shows that they are an at-risk population as they transition to college.

Parents will be notified if:

A student has committed a violation accompanied by other serious behavior such as needing medical attention, significant property damage or driving under the influence.

A student has had a second alcohol or drug violation.

Staff at UHS Wolverine Wellness will contact parents/family, according to the university's website. It's not immediately clear if other universities in the state have similar policies already in place.

Michigan State University spokesperson Jason Cody said the school does not have anything like that in place nor does it plan to introduce anything like it. Cody said the school does have drug and alcohol awareness programs in place that target parents and first-year students.

"As far as doing this, contacting parents, that's not part of our awareness education," Cody said. "I think we have a robust plan and policy in place. I would be hesitant to say anyone has a firm hand on it, you're always striving to get better. We’re constantly reviewing how we do things... That policy is not something our leadership has considered or felt the desire to do."

Contact Katrease Stafford: kstafford@freepress.com or 313-223-4759.