Summary

As students transition to college life, some will be at greater risk for developing potentially dangerous drinking patterns than others.

Research suggests that student socializing patterns are often established in the first six weeks of their first year on campus. Factors that can influence high-risk behaviors within a social setting include group drinking norms.

Before coming to campus, students and parents should be familiar with MCC’s policies relating to alcohol. Here are a few things to remember as you talk to your sons and daughters about drinking at college:

Students should also be aware of local laws and policies practiced in the city they will be attending college which may differ from their home communities. Many law enforcement agencies conduct regular patrols to identify and ticket parties that are causing disturbances in the community, individuals selling alcohol without a license and those providing alcohol to minors.

MCC follows Nebraska state law which states that it is a violation for any person to consume alcoholic liquors in the public streets, alleys, parking areas, roads or highways; or inside vehicles while upon the public streets, alleys, parking areas, roads or highways; or upon property owned by the state or any governmental subdivision thereof, unless authorized by the governing bodies having jurisdiction over such properties. The above types of off-campus violations are also considered violations of the MCC Student Code of Conduct and can result in sanctions on-campus in addition to legal consequences. View MCC Student Code of Conduct.

On August 30, 2015, Nebraska’s Good Samaritan law will take effect. This policy encourages individuals to call 911 for medical help when witnessing or experiencing acute alcohol intoxication without the fear of prosecution for minor in possession. The policy provides limited immunity for both the caller and the acutely intoxicated person. The Good Samaritan law is essential to ensuring that people are able to stay alive and receive help when they are in trouble. Please encourage your son or daughter to become familiar with the new law and take swift action whenever they are concerned about another person’s well-being.

How can you prepare your sons and daughters for the risks of drinking in college?

Power of Parenting at Metropolitan Community College was developed with support from the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety, the Nebraska Prevention Center for Alcohol & Drug Abuse and in part by Grant #93.243 under the Strategic Prevention Framework-Partnership for Success Grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Center for Substance Abuse Prevention through the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and Region 6 Behavioral Healthcare.

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