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Parental Notification Essay Guidelines

You have been found responsible for a violation of Florida State University 's Alcohol and Other Drug Policy . In compliance with FSU's policy for parental notification in cases of alcohol and other drug violations, you must compose an essay based on your experiences regarding the incident. This essay represents a policy action and, as such, is issued in addition to any sanction(s) that may be assigned to you as a result of this judicial decision.

Please respond thoughtfully about the following issues in the body of your essay:

•  Describe the events of the incident as they occurred (include who, what, where, when, and how). Why did you choose to consume alcohol and/or drugs in this particular incident? What motivated you?

•  Often, there are pivotal moments when a different decision could yield a different outcome. In your situation, at what points could you have made different decisions? Which decisions are realistic for you to make in the future in order to not violate the Student Conduct Code?

•  The Alcohol and Drug Survey of FSU students by the CORE Institute at Southern Illinois University (2004) produced the following statistics regarding community effects of alcohol use:

27% performed poorly on a test or project

13% reported trouble with police or residence hall

38% got into a fight or argument

41% missed class

13% of females reported being taken advantage of sexually

22% were hurt or injured

36% were disturbed in their studies

29% felt alcohol negatively impacted their living space or environment

20% felt it made them unsafe on campus

Considering the information above, regardless of whether your violation was with alcohol or drugs, in what ways has your behavior, as a result of this incident, impacted your community (students, family, friends, and/or general public)?

•  What did you learn for future incidents in which alcohol and/or drugs are involved?

Each essay must conclude with the following statement:

“I understand that should I be found responsible for a subsequent violation of the alcohol or other drug policy at Florida State University , this statement will be sent to the address of my parent or legal guardian along with official verification from the University.”

Your essay should be typed in 12-point Times New Roman font, double-spaced. It should be composed in an appropriate manner as any essay in a classroom setting. As a policy action, the essay is not subject to appeal. You may submit your essay in person to the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities or e- mail it to srr@admin.fsu.edu