The University of Colorado at Boulder's "two strikes" policy for enforcement of underage drinking has become an effective way for the campus to guide students, particularly freshmen, toward more responsible behavior, according to Jamal Ward, director of the Office of Judicial Affairs.
Under the two strikes policy, adopted in fall 2004, students can be suspended after two underage drinking violations, but violations that harm other people are a primary focus of the policy's enforcement in 2006, Ward said.
"Our emphasis is on violations that adversely impact other students, the campus or the larger community," he said. "Although the policy is no different than it was when it began in 2004, now we highlight and distinguish those behaviors that have the most impact on the individual student, on his or her peers, and on the community.
"We still want students to know that two violations will subject them to suspension and we will not relax our position on this aspect of the policy," Ward said. "However, our intent is to educate and assist students when the behavior warrants such action."
When adopted in 2004, the two strikes policy was a tightening of the earlier "three strikes" policy on underage drinking. The change was the result of research on alcohol-related disciplinary action at CU-Boulder that showed a small group of students were repeat offenders, performed poorly academically and were responsible for creating problems for other students, as well as themselves.
The two strikes policy states that students who violate alcohol laws or policies for the second time during the entire period of their enrollment -- whether they're on probation or not -- can be suspended. The policy also does not limit the university from employing more strict disciplinary action if the circumstances of a case warrant a more severe response.
Parental notification, alcohol-awareness classes, community service and probation also occur on the first alcohol-related offense. A second parental notification, community service and referral to the city of Boulder's "2nd Offender" program follow a second offense. If the student is already on probation, he or she is subject to suspension.
The two strikes policy is one element of a set of alcohol-related initiatives on the CU-Boulder campus aimed at discouraging high-risk drinking. The campus communicates with students through orientation, e-mail communications, the CUConnect Web site and Ralphie's Guide, among other methods, to increase awareness and understanding of alcohol policies and behavioral expectations.
Also, early confusion about the number of 'strikes' students could accrue before facing serious consequences has been addressed since the policy's inception. Some students were lumping alcohol violations with other incidents, like residence hall noise and trash violations, which are not considered 'strikes.' Consistent communication to students and parents has clarified the policy's use only in alcohol-related Code of Conduct violations.
Incoming freshmen also are encouraged to complete an online alcohol education course during their first semester on campus. The e-CHUG course addresses alcohol abuse by helping students evaluate their own drinking habits.
E-CHUG, which stands for electronic Check-Up to Go, features a Web survey that allows students to enter information about their own drinking patterns and receive feedback about their alcohol use. The assessment takes under 10 minutes to complete, is self-guided and does not require contact time with a counselor or administrator.
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