Alcohol policy ahead of national trend to call parents

A new policy is being promoted at colleges across the country which would allow them to inform parents of their children's violations of alcohol and drug policies. Cabrini's policy is ahead of this national trend, since parents are already notified after a second offense.

by Benjamin Lunn assistant news editor

t9Cabrini College is ahead of the

A law is being promoted allowing schools to inform parents when a dependent student violates drug and alcohol laws.

However, Cabrini College has already had a policy of this type in effect since the early '90s.

The policy, ·according to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, would provide a legal loophole that would pennit colleges to inform parents of their children's violations of drug and alcohol policies without fear of infringing upon the students' rights to privacy.

Cabrini already has a policy of this sort in effect.

A detailed outline of the college's policy can be found on page 52 in the student handbook.

For most violations, a first offense receives a written warning .and a fine between $25$150. An offense resulting in hospitalization immediately results in suspension of residence hall privileges.

For most second offenses, the student is put on probation and mandatory community service hours are enforced.

The third offense results in a mandatory meeting with parents to discuss the role of drugs and alcohol in the life of the student, a larger fine and, possibly, expulsion from the school.

Whenever a student is placed on any type of probation, the parents are immediately notified, according to Robert Bonfiglio, vice president of student development.

Therefore, the parents know of the offenses the students have committed before the mandatory meeting is necessary.

The college did not always have a policy like this in effect, according to Bonfiglio.

When he arrived in the early 1990s, there was no policy or a code of conduct.

He foresaw a need for such policies here and met with the Student Government Association to discuss the issue.

In conjunction with the SGA, Bonfiglio worked to create an effective drug and alcohol policy that would be nearly ideal for the decided that a policy much similar to ~:eave now was the best course of action.

The current policy is revised on a biennial basis.

Last fall, before classes began, the policy was revised. It is due for a retailoring again in two years.

Bonfiglio does not see the trend of policy changes in colleges around the country as having any effect Cabrini.

He feels tha~'"Jp~li is ahead of the issue and is gl~,,.tha we dealt with the it sooner than the rest o the country, rather than waiting to catch up with the country.

Bonfiglio jokingly pointed out that the entire issue would just be a lot simpler if the drinking age was lowered to 18.

He does, however, feel the policy is a strong one.

"We have a realistic policy," Bonfiglio said. "It is neither too harsh nor stringent. Students are allowed to drink in accordance with the law."

Any students with questions or concerns are encouraged to contact their Peer Educators.

The Peer Educators can be contacted in the Rooyman's Center, or by calling extension 8568: