University Business - July/August 2012 - (Page 24)

ADMISSIONS A Higher Education The sometimes risky road to college admission By Stephen Wallace R ising high school juniors and seniors are beginning to set their sights on the college admissions process—a long and winding road that typically includes web-based research, counselors, essays, and overnight visits to experience campus cultures. Sounds good. Yet, for too many students, these overnights include a different kind of education: underage drinking and intimate sexual behavior, in some cases for the first time. New research from the Center for Adolescent Research and Education (CARE) at Susquehanna University (Pa.) and SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) reveals that roughly one in six teens surveyed (16 percent) who had been on an overnight college admissions visit reported drinking alcohol during the visit. Teens also reported engaging in sex or other intimate sexual behavior (17 percent), using drugs other than alcohol (5 percent), or driving while impaired (2 percent) during their overnight college visit. Often, this was the students’ first brush with these risky behaviors. More than half of teens who reported drinking during the overnight visit said they had done so for the first time. About the same percentage of respondents who reported engaging in some type of sexual activity during their visit indicated that they participated in behaviors in which they had not previously engaged. This is a cautionary tale to college administrators. Why? • These young people are at risk for injury, death, and disease. • Such experiences may create a social norm for behaviors throughout college. • Colleges and universities may incur liability for outcomes related to risky be- More than half of teens who reported drinking during an overnight college visit had never done so before. haviors engaged in by minors on campus. Overnight college visits are a balancing act for universities. A vibrant social scene can be part of the college experience, but it can be tricky to provide structure and boundaries while still offering an authentic, inside look at the college. What Can CollegeS Do? Admissions offices are always a little worried about students and visitors during their time on campus, says Danny Green, associate vice president for enrollment at Meredith College (N.C.). “We promote a safe, secure environment with lots of support, and we do our best to provide just that,” he says. That means fully prepping student hosts, clearly articulating and enforcing campus rules, and knowing where visiting students will be, and when. “Our admission hosts have a complete, detailed schedule of all activities, classes, meals, entertainment, and meetings made especially for the visiting student,” Green adds. Some other actions college and university administrators can take to help ensure student safety: • Assess the current high-risk behaviors of your students and visitors to campus. • Respond with clear, firm policies that protect students, visitors, and hosts. • Communicate and enforce campus rules. Students, underage guests, and their parents need to know that your college is serious about keeping young people safe. • Invite prospective students for shorter visits. • Avoid weekend overnight visits. • Train hosts and have each sign a social contract about acceptable behaviors on their part and the part of their visitor. A safe college visit starts at home. Colleges can encourage parents to accompany their teens on campus visits, to discuss with their teens the choices they may have to make and how to best respond, and to communicate about policies and expectations with administrators. Teens universitybusiness.com 24 July/August 2012 http://www.universitybusiness.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of University Business - July/August 2012

University Business - July/August 2012
Contents
Editor’s Note
Ad Index
College Index
Behind the News
Viewpoint
Admissions
Models of Efficiency
Floor Plans
Consulting Guide
Limited Liability
Touch to Begin
A Sound Investment
Voluntary Retirement
Human Resources
Money Matters
What’s New
End Note

University Business - July/August 2012