Research indicates that parents continue to have significant influence over the attitudes and behaviors of their college-age children.  Parents must communicate their expectations about alcohol use in college, assist others in correcting misperceptions about college alcohol norms and myths, and serve as positive role models in the moderate use of alcohol, especially as a source of entertainment or stress relief.  Most importantly, parents must see themselves as an essential partner in the college experience, allowing a student to mature through increased personal responsibility and independent decision-making, but also coaching a student toward the moderate use of alcohol, and helping students find resources to help when needed.  Below are a couple of key resources parents can use to know more about alcohol use in college and to connect to assistance at Furman University.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) maintains a thorough Web site for parents of college students based on the nation's most comprehensive study and report on college alcohol use.  You'll find these helpful resources below to learn more about alcohol use and about the role of parents at http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/CollegeParents/.

• Choosing the Right College
• What Parents Need to Know About College Drinking
• College Fact Sheet for Parents
• College Alcohol Policies
• Snapshot of Drinking Consequences