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Is there a family weekend?
Yes, families are invited to campus for Whittier
Weekend, the College’s annual homecoming celebration
from October 26-28, 2007. Featured will be the
traditional homecoming activities such as a bonfire,
crowning of a king and queen, football game,
carnival, and society and class gatherings and
celebrations.
Family Weekend will be held from April 11-13, 2008
and will showcase student talent and accomplishments
through music, dance, theater, athletic
competitions, research, and honors ceremonies.
What are some of the issues associated with
student use of alcohol and drugs?
During the first year of College students often
times face new circumstances and moments where they
will render decisions, take risks and even make
compromises. Although some of these decisions may be
inappropriate, most of them will provide
opportunities for learning, growth and development.
As students experiment with how much they wish to
study, sleep, eat, drink and socialize, etc. they
are testing out the consequences of their behavior.
One of the most important discussions you can have
with your student before beginning college, and
throughout the college experience, involves the
issue of drug and alcohol use. The choices they make
regarding their personal conduct will affect every
facet of their lives as students, including their
academic performance.
College Initiatives on Substance Abuse
At Whittier, we take seriously the idea that
education occurs outside the classroom. We sponsor
educational programs, provide guidance about making
responsible choices, and endeavor to point out some
of the adverse consequences of making irresponsible
decisions. Each new student must complete the online
alcohol education program, AlcoholEdu, prior to
starting school in the fall.
Students must ultimately make their own choices. And
if they make mistakes, we regrettably cannot shelter
them from the painful consequences of drug and
alcohol abuse. Whittier is neither a sanctuary from
the laws of the State of California nor a place
where a young adult is rendered immune from the
emotional and physical harm associated with the
abuse of alcohol and other drugs.
The possession, purchase, or consumption of any
alcoholic beverage (including beer and wine) by any
person under the age of 21 is a violation of
California State law and Whittier College policy. A
first offense of the policy is likely to result in a
“first strike” which includes a developmental
sanction, notification to parents and alcohol
education. Subsequent offenses may result in removal
from housing (without refund) and possible
suspension from the College for at least one
academic term. The College is not in the
surveillance business. Nevertheless, residence hall
staff is instructed of these policies, and, as a
condition of their employment, they will enforce the
rules.
First year students will be fully informed of these
rules during Orientation. We will endeavor to make
parents active participants in making sure our
students understand that Whittier has an alcohol
policy which is enforced and which is not to be
taken lightly.
Whittier College sponsors a multitude of social and
intellectual activities and organizations, which do
not involve or emphasize alcohol and other drug use.
We encourage you, as parents and incoming students,
to get involved in these opportunities—we need your
help to insure that our institutional values of
learning, community and transformation extend beyond
the classroom and into the daily lives of all who
are a part of the Poet family.
In addition, parents will be notified by mail if
their child has been found to have violated federal
or state law or College policies regarding alcohol
or drugs. We do this to create an atmosphere where
parents can help their students make the best
choices in regards to alcohol and drugs.
The Problem of Student Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol abuse by college students is a topic that
has received increased national attention during the
past few years. And it is a topic we are deeply
concerned about at Whittier College.
The irresponsible use of alcohol can result in
injury, hospitalization and even tragic death.
Excessive drinking can also hurt students in much
more subtle ways. During recent studies conducted on
campus, we’ve determined that the level of alcohol
use by Whittier students isn’t much different than
the national average, however, the good news is that
the great majority of Whittier students do not abuse
alcohol or drugs.
In light of the growing national trend of alcohol
abuse by college and university students, we would
like to urge all Whittier College students and
families to take note of the following facts:
1) Alcohol Abuse Damages Student Academic
Achievement. Pure and simple, alcohol abuse is
hurting students’ academic performance. In a 1997
survey, college administrators estimate that alcohol
was involved in 29 percent of dropouts and 38
percent of academic failures on campuses across the
United States.
2) Alcohol Abuse Hurts Students Physically. Many
colleges and universities have recently experienced
a slight increase in the number of students who have
ended up in the emergency room due to alcohol
poisoning. It’s a fact that people are prone to more
injuries when alcohol figures into the equation.
3) Alcohol Abuse Increases the Likelihood that
Students will Become Victims of Violent Crimes. The
overwhelming majority of student victims of violence
had been drinking or using drugs at the time they
were assaulted. Students who frequently abuse
alcohol are twice as likely to be victims of
violence. They are also far more likely to be taken
advantage of sexually.
4) Alcohol Abuse Increases the Likelihood that
Students will Commit Crimes. Fortunately, we seldom
have to worry about our students being taken into
custody, however, drunk driving, damage to property,
getting into an argument or fight and getting into
trouble with Campus Safety or the police have been
outcomes of alcohol abuse for some students.
5) Alcohol Abuse Leads to Alcoholism. It’s a myth
that college students can’t become alcoholics, or
that binge drinking and heavy drinking among college
students are “just a phase.” Obviously, College
students can become addicted to alcohol and suffer
all of the physical problems of alcoholism. College
students are not immune to any of the devastating
personal, financial and legal setbacks often
associated with alcoholics and those close to them.
How does my son/daughter find a job on campus?
Finding campus employment is quite easy! Students
who have received a work-study award are encouraged
to check various positions available by visiting
Career Services. All new students are highly
encouraged to attend the student employment fair
where they will find various academic departments
and campus offices that are advertising and hiring
for student positions.
Is the campus safe?
Each year Campus Safety webpage calculates the crime
on campus. While the campus is considered safe in
relation to other college campuses, it’s important
for students to remember that we are located in a
large metropolitan area 18 miles east of the city of
Los Angeles. Whittier College is situated in the
hillside of a lovely area within the city of
Whittier. The most common violations of the law
include underage drinking and petty theft. The
department of Campus Safety and the office of
Residential Life work closely to educate students
about issues of personal safety.
Students are encouraged to use common sense
regarding their personal safety. Awareness programs
are presented to students each year about safety and
security concerns such as engraving valuables, first
aid, CPR training, self-defense workshops and
earthquake preparedness programs. Students are
encouraged to not walk alone at night, carry their
keys at all times, lock their residence hall doors
and windows and to not prop exterior residence hall
doors. |
