Alcohol and Other Drugs

2006 Biennial Review for Minnesota State University Moorhead

Drug Free Schools and Communities Act

Introduction
The Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1989 Amendments required institutions of higher education to design and implement alcohol and illicit drug programs on their campuses. As a condition of receiving funds or any other form of financial assistance under any federal program, an institution of higher education has to certify that it has adopted and implemented a program to prevent "the unlawful possession, use or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees" on campus property or as part of any campus activity. This legislation directed Universities to:
  1. To develop a written policy on alcohol and other drugs
  2. To develop a process that ensures policy distribution to all students, staff and faculty
  3. To enumerate federal, state or local sanctions for unlawful possession or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol
  4. To describe health risks associated with alcohol abuse or illicit drug use
  5. To describe University drug and alcohol programs available for students and employees
  6. To specify disciplinary sanctions imposed on students and employees for policy violations
  7. To conduct biennial reviews to assess the effectiveness of its alcohol and drug programs.

The law further requires an institution of higher education to review its program to:

  1. To determine its effectiveness and implement changes if they are needed, and
  2. To ensure that the sanctions developed are consistently enforced
In compliance with federal legislation, the Director of Student Health Services for Minnesota State University Moorhead has prepared this biennial review.

Biennial Review Process

The President's Task Force on Student Alcohol Misuse met regularly throughout 2004-2006. The group reviewed components essential to the University's drug and alcohol program: policy statements, publications, services, data collection, educational programming, campus life, alternative student activities, and data on student and employee conduct.

A major objective of this review was to continue and expand meaningful and consistent data collection procedures, as well as initiate new methods of communication about the significance of drug and alcohol use on our campus.

General Conclusions

Minnesota State University Moorhead appears to be in full compliance with federal legislation.
Analysis of a 10 year summary of CORE Survey results demonstrated reduced numbers of students who use any amount of alcohol, who drink underage, and who use marijuana. However, while we have seen reductions, our numbers still exceed the national average.  There was an increase in the number of students knowing the campus has an alcohol and drug intervention program and an increased belief that the University is concerned about the prevention of drug and alcohol abuse. There were increases seen in the negative consequences of alcohol and drug use: public misconduct, personal injury, property damage, driving under the influence and sexual assault. While more students would not choose to have drugs at a party, more students would choose to have alcohol at a party.
New student health data are being gathered in February 2007.

Summary of New Effort Since Last Review

Prevention and Intervention Efforts Addressing Student Misuse of Alcohol
Ongoing Activity 2004 through the Present:

  1. Biennial Review: Drug Free Schools and Community Act (on even years)
  2. Student Orientation for all Incoming Students
  3. Student educational session address alcohol and other drugs
  4. Parent educational session address alcohol and other drugs
  5. Chemical Health Educator
    • MSUM has a full-time, licensed chemical health educator on staff with the Hendrix Health Center (our student health center).
    • This professional provides training to the residence hall assistants (RAs), which, in turn, is presented by the RAs in residence hall floor meetings.
    • The Chemical Health Educator presents the NCAA-required alcohol and drug education to all student athletes.
    • The Chemical Health Educator provides one-on-one counseling to students who are self-referred, or who are referred by the MSUM Counseling Center, or the housing/residence life.
    • The Chemical Health Educator and Hendrix Health Center professionals collaborate with all community/area treatment providers to provide services to students as needed.
  6. Peer Health Educators
    • The Chemical Health Educator trains the MSUM Peer Health Educators on matters pertaining to alcohol/drug misuse.
    • The Peer Health Educators do educational presentations in classrooms and the residence halls.
  7. First Year Experience Course
    • A unit on alcohol and other drugs in included in the First Year Experience (FYE) course.
    • FYE is not a required course.
  8. Annual Health Fair, hosted by Hendrix Health Center

Timeline of Activity March 2004 until Fall 2006

  • March 15, 2004. Death of Jason Reinhardt, former MSUM student, due to alcohol poisoning (powerhour)
  • March 25, 2004. Change focus of June 2004 MSUM President's Summer Retreat from liberal studies, to the subject of student success and the connection to alcohol and other drugs.
  • March 25, 2004. Planning committee for MSUM President's Summer Retreat named and announced.
  • June 2004. Fargo-Moorhead community group: Alcohol Misuse Prevention Coalition forms. MSUM is represented by Susanne Williams, Assistant to the President.
  • June 28, 2004. MSUM President's Summer Retreat for the Campus Community and the President's Task Force on Student Misuse of Alcohol is appointed by President Barden.
  • June 29, 2004. MSUM President's Task Force on Student Alcohol Misuse begins Strategic Planning in a day-long meeting with Dr. Beth DeRicco, Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug and Violence Prevention
  • July-September, 2004: MSUM Alcohol Task Force meets regularly to develop strategic plan to reduce student misuse of alcohol.
  • September  2004. Strategic Plan forwarded to President Barden for Approval
  • October 8, 2004. President Barden approves the strategic plan and asks the group to continue as a Task Force to engage in action items.
  • October-Dec. 2004. The Task Force engaged in a comprehensive review of MSUM's policies specific to student conduct and use of alcohol and other drugs. The group uncovered a myriad of different versions of the campus policies. The group identified a need for insight provided by the system's General Counsel.
  • January 2005-Present: MSUM and MPD Neighborhood Watch Project: Jill Lavelle and Ferman Woodberry collaborated with Moorhead police to increase security and police patrols on the perimeter surrounding campus during the weekends. The watch project was proposed to the University Planning and Budgeting Committee and approved for university base-budget funding.
  • February 22, 2005. Rep. Morrie Lanning contacted Susanne Williams for help with identifying people to testify in support of the Powerhour Bill.
  • March 8, 2005. Campus Alcohol Policy: The Task Force hosted Gail Olson, MnSCU General Counsel, and Scott Goings, Assistant Attorney General, for a day-long meeting with the task force. The result was clearer understanding of what is, and is not, advised according to state and federal law. Olson and Goings recommended that MSUM engage in an exhaustive process to gather and codify all campus policies and procedures. Dr. Katy Wilson, assistant vice president for student affairs, was charged with that responsibility.
  • March 15, 2005. First anniversary of the death of Jason Reinhardt. The Advocate features an article on MSUM's activity to address student alcohol misuse in its March 24, 2005 issue.
  • March 2005. Representative Morrie Lanning contacted Susanne Williams for help in identifying students who could testify in support of the Powerhour Bill.
  • April 2005. To support Rep. Lanning's powerhour legislation, Susanne Williams and Travis Maier testify on behalf of MSUM in St. Paul, along with Anne Buchanan, Jason Reinhardt's mother. The bill was passed into state law.
  • June 21, 2005. Alcohol Task Force meets with Nona Wood, NDSU's associate director for student rights and responsibilities and President of the national organization Student Judicial Affairs Officers. to discuss parental notification for those who are under age 21 and violate campus alcohol policies. The Task Force strongly recommends using parental notification.
  • August-Feb. 2006. Williams appointed Interim Provost for TCU. Katy Wilson, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs, assumes role of chair of the President's Alcohol Task Force.  The Task Force engaged tightening student university policy and enforcement procedures. The Task Force worked with Information Technology to develop a centralized data base for student conduct record-keeping.
  • September 27, 2005. Patrick Kycia, MSUM student, discovered dead in the Red River, following heavy drinking.
  • September 2005. Susanne Williams secured a $10,000 grant from the Dakota Medical Foundation to enable the university to launch a year-long social norm campaign.
  • October-November. MSUM CORE alcohol survey data gathered online. Questions specific to powerhour were added to the survey instrument.
  • October 2-3, 2005. Williams represents MSUM at the National Meeting for University Administrators on alcohol, hosted by the Department of Education's Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug and Violence Prevention.
  • October 17, 2005. Corresponding with national Alcohol Awareness Week, MSUM launched a new social norm campaign "The Truth About Alcohol at MSUM," funded by the Dakota Medical Foundation and Beverage Wholesalers. The campaign targets MSUM students and highlights the socially appropriate health behaviors practiced by most MSUM students.
  • October 23, 2005. Williams's letter to the editor is printed in The Forum. Williams corrects misperceptions that were included in the Oct. 18 Forum coverage of the social norm campaign.
  • October 24, 2005. As TCU Interim Provost, Susanne Williams convened the FM Higher Education Summit on Alcohol with the Academic Affairs and Student Affairs VPs and Student Government leaders from MSUM, NDSU, CC, and MSCTC-Mhd. The group recommended that student leaders from each of the four institutions meet to draft a "shared values statement" regarding alcohol.
  • November 2, 2005. Safe Communities Coalition Annual Meeting. Susanne Williams represents MSUM.
  • November 10, 2005. University of Minnesota's Jim Rothenberger and Tayne DeNeui come to MSUM to demonstrate Alcohol and College Life, a one-credit, 15-week online course. MSUM faculty, administrators, staff, and students attend the meeting, convened by Katy Wilson and the Alcohol Task Force. MSUM considers being a pilot institution for the course.
  • November 2005. MSUM is selected to be a pilot institution for the UofM course, Alcohol and College Life.
  • November 18, 2005. MnSCU System (state-wide) Conference on Student Legal and Policy Issues, hosted at MSUM. Event came about because of the work of the MSUM Alcohol Task Force. Williams presents keynote address outlining MSUM's strategies to address student alcohol misuse.
  • December 1, 2005. Governor George Sinner Public Policy Symposium: Rethinking Public policy Responses to the Misuse of Alcohol and Other Drugs. Event hosted at MSUM. Williams presents opening remarks regarding MSUM's responses to student misuse of alcohol.
  • December 1, 2005. Williams convenes the first meeting of student leaders from MSUM, NDSU, CC, and MSCTC-Mhd for the FM Student Summit on Alcohol. Karin Walton, Director of the North Dakota consortium on alcohol and other drugs, facilitated the discussion necessary for drafting a FM Higher Education Student Shared Values Statement on Alcohol.
  • December 2, 2005. Williams presents to the League of Women Voters regarding MSUM's responses to student misuse of alcohol.
  • January 11, 2006. Safe Communities Coalition Alcohol Subcommittee Meeting. Susanne Williams represents MSUM.
  • January 2006. MSUM's social norm campaign messages are revised based on student responses.
  • February 6, 2006. MSUM submits a grant proposal in response to the Department of Education call for proposals to reduce high risk drinking on college campuses. PI is Susanne Williams. The proposed 2-year project connects MSUM's alcohol work with MSCTC-Mhd and CC and Moorhead Police.
  • February 8, 2006. Environmental Management Training Part I in Mitchell S.D. for campus-community alcohol prevention teams, provided by the U.S. Department of Education's Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug and Violence Prevention. Team members: Bob Larson, MPD; Dan Hunt, City Council; Gina Nolte, Clay County Public Health; Warren Wiese and Susanne Williams MSUM.
  • February 13, 2006. UofM's Jim Rothenberger and Tayne DeNeui meet with representatives from MSCTC-Moorhead, CC, and NDSU to explore the potential for offering the class on those campuses. Meetings were arranged by Susanne Williams.
  • February 28, 2006. Susanne Williams, Jeremy Nelson and Sandi Schuette attend a meeting at the University of Minnesota regarding how to involve parents in alcohol prevention work.
  • February 28, 2006. FM Higher Education Student Summit II convenes. A shared values statement is drafted. Meeting was facilitated by Karin Walton, assisted by Jane Vangsness, NDSU.
  • March 7, 2006. MnSCU Leadership Council meeting: Susanne Williams makes "major topic presentation" before all system presidents and the chancellor's staff, regarding the need for comprehensive responses to student misuse of alcohol and MSUM's activity.
  • March 17, 2006. MnSCU convenes a meeting to develop a system-response to alcohol. Katy Wilson and Susanne Williams represent MSUM. Susanne Williams presented the keynote address regarding MSUM's comprehensive responses to student misuse of alcohol.
  • March 28, 2006. Moorhead hosts a Town Hall Meeting on Underage Drinking (MSUM was represented by Susanne Williams on the planning committee). Williams presented opening remarks. Williams and James Cailou are panelists.
  • April 2006. Clay County Collaborative is formed to bring together representatives from all key agencies to address alcohol issues. Gina Nolte, Clay County Public Health leads the Collaborative. Susanne Williams represents MSUM. The group will engaging in community-wide strategic planning to address high risk drinking.
  • April 3, 2006. Susanne Williams testifies before the House Higher Education Finance Committee in support of Representative Paul Marquart's bill to allow parental notification for students under age 21 who violate campus AOD policies. The bill was included in a Higher Education Finance Omnibus Bill, but the omnibus bill did not pass out of the House.
  • April 5-6, 2006. Environmental Management Training Part II in Sioux Falls S.D. for campus-community alcohol prevention teams, provided by the U.S. Department of Education's Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug and Violence Prevention. Team members: Bob Larson, MPD; Dan Hunt, City Council; Gina Nolte, Clay County Public Health; Warren Wiese, Ferman Woodberry, and Susanne Williams, MSUM.
  • April 11, 2006. MSUM's Academic Policy Advisory Committee votes to approve Alcohol and College Life as a university course. The committee also approves making Alcohol and College Life a mandatory course for all incoming freshmen beginning Fall 2006.
  • April 20, 21, 22, 24. Dragon Days at MSUM: The University registers its first group of students into Alcohol and College Life. Parents and incoming students receive literature regarding the campus' alcohol work and drafted revised student AOD policy.
  • May 3, 2005. Susanne Williams presents keynote address at the Mankato campus-community coalition meeting. Williams meets with the Mankato campus alcohol committee. Focus was on MSUM's comprehensive strategies to address alcohol misuse.
  • May 11, 2006. The President approves the revised student policy on alcohol and other drugs. The President indicated that the university will continue work on revising the employee alcohol and other drug policy.
  • May 2006. MSUM is notified that it was awarded a federal grant from the Department of Education to address high-risk drinking on campus. PI is Susanne Williams.
  • June 14, 2006. Susanne Williams presents at the MnSCU Summer Online Conference in Bemidji with Jim Rothenberger and Tayne DeNeui, regarding MSUM/UofM and the Alcohol and College Life course at MSUM.
  • Fall 2006
    • September 2006: Moorhead Together is launched, funded by DOE grant. See www.mhdtogether.org
    • The President's Task Force on Student Misuse of Alcohol will transition into university committee status. First meeting of the group will be Spring 2007 semester after bargaining units name representatives.
    • Alcohol and Other Drugs website is developed and located at www.mnstate.edu/AOD and brings together all university alcohol and other drug information.
    • New centralized database for tracking alcohol and other drug policy violations is up and running.

University Compliance with Federal Legislation

I. University Policy

Minnesota State University Moorhead recognizes that the misuse of alcohol and other drugs is a serious problem in our society and our community. This University seeks to create a campus environment which promotes healthy and responsible living that is conducive to the intellectual and personal development of students. The University is committed to establishing and enforcing clear campus policies regarding the use of alcohol and other drugs.

Minnesota State University Moorhead complies with and supports the Minnesota State Colleges and University Board of Trustees policy governing alcohol and other drugs on campus, the Drug Free Schools and Community Act, the Drug Free Workplace Act, the Campus Security Act and Minnesota State law.

  1. STUDENT AOD Policy and Procedures

    2.
  2. EMPLOYEE  AOD Policy and Procedures

II. Distribution of Written Policy

University drug and alcohol policy brochures were mailed to all incoming and returning students in August 2006,, through funding provided by the DOE "Moorhead Together" grant.

The policies are found in the Annual Campus Crime Report published by the Campus Security Department, and the Student Handbook, the Student Organization Handbook, and the Bulletin. These publications are available to all students and employees.

The information is also found on department websites:

III. Health Risks Associated with Illicit Drug Use and Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol and drug use is prohibited not simply because it is against the law, but because of the demonstrated health risks associated with use. While the following list is not exhaustive, it serves to demonstrate the range of potential hazards associated with illicit drug and alcohol use.

Information about the health risks of drug use and abuse can be accessed through the following web site: http://www.nida.nih.gov

 

  • ALCOHOL Loss of concentration and judgment, slowed reflexes; disorientation leading to higher risk of accidents and problem behavior; risk of liver and heart damage, malnutrition, cancer and other illnesses; can be highly addictive to some persons.
  • AMPHETAMINES Can cause rushed, careless behavior - pushing beyond your physical capacity, leading to exhaustion; tolerance increases rapidly; causes physical and psychological dependence; withdrawal can result in depression and suicide; continued high doses can cause heart problems, infections, malnutrition, and death.
  • CANNABIS Causes permanent damage to lungs, reproductive organs and brain function; slows reflexes; increases forgetfulness; alters judgment of space and distance.
  • COCAINE Causes damage to respiratory and immune systems; induces malnutrition, seizures and loss of brain function. Some forms (such as "crack") are highly addictive.
  • HALLUCINOGENS (PCP, LSD, Ecstasy) Causes extreme distortions of what's seen and heard; induces sudden changes in behavior, loss of concentration and memory; increases risk of birth defects in user's children; overdose can cause psychosis, convulsions, coma, and death. Frequent use can cause permanent loss of mental function.
  • NARCOTICS (Heroin, morphine, opium, codeine) Tolerance increases rapidly; causes physical and psychological dependence; overdose can cause coma, convulsions, respiratory arrest, and death; leads to malnutrition, infection and hepatitis; sharing needles is a leading cause of the spread of HIV and Hepatitis; highly addictive.
  • SEDATIVES Tolerance increases rapidly; produces physical and psychological dependence; causes reduced reaction time, and confusion; overdoses can cause coma, respiratory arrest, convulsions, and death; withdrawal can be dangerous; in combination with other controlled substances can quickly cause coma and death.

IV. Legal Sanctions

State and federal legal sanctions for violations of drug and alcohol laws are detailed in the Annual Campus Crime Report and the Student Alcohol and Other Drug Policy found on www.mnstate.edu/aod and the Campus Crime Report

V. Resources

Counseling and Support Groups

On Campus:

  • Licensed Addiction Counselor, Student Health Services (Individuals and groups) (218) 477-2211
  • Counseling Center (218)477-2227
  • Medical Services (218) 477-2211

Off Campus:

  • Southeast Human Services (701) 298-4500
  • Alcoholics Anonymous (701) 235-7335 Narcotics Anonymous (710) 234-9330
  • Hotline 235-SEEK

Employee Assistance: (Available for all MSUM employees. Offers assessment).