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Dear New Student,

How do I get your attention and not scare you? Or bore you… I have seen it firsthand - the devastating effects of alcohol on our students. Every year Western Illinois University (WIU) students are assaulted or assault others, are hospitalized, suspended or fail out. Some students have even died because of drinking and driving or other dangerous alcohol-related behaviors. I have seen many lives changed because of alcohol.

The staff at WIU is not so naïve to think that our students will not drink alcohol, regardless of age. Indeed, the WIU Alcohol Risk-Reduction Steering Committee stresses these messages:

• We want our students to be safe and healthy.
• We will enforce our policy.
• We want to increase student leadership, development, retention and graduation rates.

We respect the right of our students to make their own choices, support those who choose not to drink, and strive to create a community in which the behavior of drinkers doesn't infringe on the rights of others.

To get you off on the right foot, we are requiring that all entering students take and complete the online Alcohol-Wise course before arriving on campus for fall classes. You will need a passing grade of 75%. After completing the course, you will receive an email in 30 days to complete a 15-minute mandatory follow-up.

The Alcohol-Wise course takes about an hour to complete and the follow-up takes about 15 minutes to complete. To enroll, go to www.3rdmilclassrooms.com. When asked for your Control Number, enter WIUAW (see Alcohol-Wise Enrollment Instructions). There is excellent information in this program, whether you drink or not. You will have a chance to look at your own drinking habits, learn tips on how to drink in moderation and avoid bingeing, and how to deal with others who are in danger or disruptive.

I urge you to consider now how prominent a role you will want alcohol to play in your life as a college student. I often suggest to students that they need to decide what's important to them: alcohol or their education. At WIU, you or others are making a significant investment in your education. Don't blow it by buying into the stereotypes that equate the college experience with alcohol. Start on a positive course today by taking this information seriously.

Sincerely,

Mary Margaret Harris

Director of Beu Student Health Center

Contact Info

Alcohol & Other Drugs Resource Center
Seal Hall 208
1 University Circle
Macomb, IL 61455
Phone (309) 298-2457
Hours 8:00am - 4:00pm M - F
Administrative E-mail: MM-Harris@wiu.edu