Information For Parents

These pages are designed to provide parents information on alcohol abuse prevention efforts at Virginia Tech. You will find a number of suggestions of what you can do to protect your students from negative consequences resulting from alcohol use. There is also useful and informative information in other areas on this site. If, after exploring this site, you would like further information or have questions concerning alcohol abuse prevention at Virginia Tech, please contact the College Alcohol Abuse Prevention Center.

Alcohol Judicial Policy and Practice | Educational Philosophy | Choice Equals Accountability | Why Teach Low-Risk Drinking?

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Alcohol Judicial Policy and Practice

Virginia Tech is an agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia and, as such, enforces the laws of the Commonwealth, including the prohibition on underage consumption of alcoholic beverages. Students who violate that law (also a University policy) will face appropriate action and sanctions. Some educational materials on this site promote low-risk alcohol consumption for those who choose to consume alcohol, and should not be construed as endorsing or promoting underage consumption.

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Educational Philosophy

Virginia Tech believes that decisions concerning alcohol consumption are a personal choice, and that students should make informed alcohol use decisions. For those students who are not 21, the only legal choice is to abstain from drinking. For those students who choose to consume alcohol we recommend that they consume alcohol in a low-risk and legal manner to reduce eliminate negative outcomes associated with your alcohol use.

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Choice Equals Accountability

While we believe that decisions concerning alcohol consumption are a personal choice, we encourage students to make legal and low-risk decisions concerning their alcohol use decisions. When students make illegal and.or high-risk choices concerning alcohol we hold them accountable for their actions. For more information visit VT Alcohol Policies.

We also encourage students to SPEAK UP when their friends, peers, and neighbors make choices that have a negative impact on their lives. To learn more about this program go to SPEAK UP - SPEAK OUT.

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Why Teach Low-Risk Drinking?

While it is important for the University to enforce Commonwealth Alcohol Laws, we also have a duty to implement effective alcohol abuse prevention programs and strategies. Some of the most effective strategies are based on the concept of "harm reduction." Harm reduction refers to strategies that attempt to reduce the frequency and severity of negative outcomes related to alcohol use. Research indicates that harm reduction strategies are one of the most effective approaches for reducing alcohol use and abuse among college students. Thus, one of the major strategies we use is to provide information that will assist those students who choose to drink to reduce alcohol-related negative outcomes.

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