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FAQs

FAQ1
FAQ2
FAQ3
FAQ4
FAQ5
FAQ6
FAQ7
FAQ8
FAQ9
FAQ10
Two new college roommates sit underneath their new bunk beds, smiling at each other

Why should I be concerned if my student is drinking underage?

Three college students smile as one student shows them something on her phone

Can I teach my student to drink responsibly?

A mother and daughter talk over a cup of coffee while sitting in her dorm room

What messages should I communicate regarding underage and excessive drinking?

A college man looking sad looks thoughtfully out of a window

How can I reduce the chances that my student will develop a problem associated with drinking alcohol?

A father and his son work on something together on a laptop

How should I get involved prior to sending my student to college?

Two college women, dressed for the cold, smile as they stand outside a subway station

I've never spoken to my student about alcohol--is it too late?

Three college students smile as they study together at a table outside

As a family member, what EXACTLY should I be telling my student about alcohol?

A group of students wearing backpacks with their backs turned towards the camera walk into a school building

What if my student is already drinking or has had some previous alcohol issues during high school--what treatments/resources are available going to college?

A college woman sits on the ground on campus, working on her laptop

What is FERPA? How does FERPA impact my "right to know"?

Two parents sit on a bench with their son. They have their arms around his shoulders and are having a tough conversation.

What can families do following a parental notification?

FAQ References

Scientific References

  1. Martinez JA, Sher KJ, Wood PK. Is heavy drinking really associated with attrition from college? The alcohol-attrition paradox. Psychol Addict Behav. 2008;22(3):450-456.

  2. Hingson R, Zha W, Weitzman ER. Magnitude of and trends in alcohol-related mortality and morbidity among U.S. college students ages 18-24, 1998-2005. J Stud Alcohol Drugs. 2009(16):12-20.

  3. Jacob T, Johnson S. Parenting influences on the development of alcohol abuse and dependence. Alcohol Health Res World. 1997;21(3):204-209.

  4. Reifman A, Barnes GM, Dintcheff BA, Farrell MP, Uhteg L. Parental and peer influences on the onset of heavier drinking among adolescents. J Stud Alcohol. 1998;59(3):311-317.

  5. Resnick MD, Bearman PS, Blum RW, Bauman KE, Harris KM, Jones J, Tabor J, Beuhring LH, Udry JR. Protecting adolescents from harm: findings from the National Longitudinal Study on Adolescent Health. JAMA. 1997;278(10):823-832.

  6. Abar CC, Morgan NR, Small ML, Maggs JL. Investigating associations between perceived parental alcohol-related messages and college student drinking. J Stud Alcohol Drugs. 2012;73(1):71-79.

  7. Wood MD, Read JP, Mitchell RE, Brand NH. Do parents still matter? Parent and peer influences on alcohol involvement among recent high school graduates. Psychol Addict Behav. 2004;18(1):19-30.

  8. Kashubeck S, Christensen SA. Parental Alcohol Use, Family Relationship Quality, Self-Esteem, and Depression in College Students. J Coll Stud Dev. 1995;36(5):431-443.

  9. Center for Disease Control. Preventing excessive alcohol consumption. The community guide. 2012. Accessed May 16, 2013.

  10. Cosden M, Hughes JB. Parents' perspectives on parental notification of college students' alcohol use. J Stud Aff Res Pract. 2012;49(1):51-64.

  11. United States Department of Education. A parent guide to the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act: rights regarding children's education records. US Department of Education, Washington, DC. 2021. Accessed June 14, 2023.

  12. Weeks KM. Family-friendly FERPA policies: affirming parental partnerships. New Dir Stud Serv. 2001;2001(94):39-50.

Logo for College Parents Matter: "have the conversation".
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