College Clips
Published Sept. 8, 2006
Programs teach parents to let go of college-bound children
Several universities along the East Coast are producing booklists of recommended reading before a student moves to campus.
These lists, with titles such as "Letting Go" and "Don't Tell Me What to Do, Just Send Money," are not for students. The target audience is parents who are having difficulty adjusting to their children's move.
"Students that are heading off to college these days, their relationship (with their parents) is much closer and communication more frequent than any (generation) before," said Mark Thompson, director of counseling and psychological services at Colgate University. "All of a sudden, to be that involved, and then have your son or daughter (leave for college) — the void is significant."
A group called College Parents of America also works to provide advice and resources to help parents send their children to college and make adjustments after that child is on campus.
—Daily Pennsylvanian (University of Pennsylvania)
Plan B easier to get on campus
The increased accessibility of Plan B has raised mixed concerns among students and health care professionals. The Food and Drug Administration made the drug available over the counter to those older than 18 on Aug. 24.
Christine Peterson, director of gynecology at University of Virginia, feels the distribution of Plan B will not be drastically altered.
"For many years, we've had emergency contraception very available," Peterson said. "It was a nuisance to get a prescription, but students could get it whenever they wanted."
University of Virginia's Quinn Thomas' feels that the drug should not be distributed over the counter.
"It's not very socially responsible," Thomas said.
She expressed concerns that people will rely on Plan B instead of using other protection such as a condom, which prevents more than just pregnancy.
—Cavalier Daily (University of Virginia)
Alcohol abuse spurs online course at University of Florida
Shortly after moving in, freshmen and transfer students at the University of Florida were informed that they are required to take an online alcohol course that is intended to help curb abusive habits in relation to alcohol.
The class is required as a part of UF President Bernie Machen's campaign to combat alcohol abuse on campus. The consequence for not completing the online course is to have a hold placed on a student's transcript, which prevents students from scheduling for spring classes. Other anti-alcohol abuse programs in place at UF under Machen's campaign are joining the national Campaign for Alcohol-Free Sports TV, a coalition of colleges working to break the connection between alcohol and sports and banning alcohol advertisements on campus. This group includes UF administrators, local police and health experts who work together.
—Independent Florida Alligator (University of Florida)
—Compiled from U-Wire reports by James Patrick Schmidt, reporter