Dear UMD Parents and Family Members:
As the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Chancellor, it is a pleasure for me to welcome you to our outstanding university community. The faculty, staff, and students of UMD join me in our commitment to making your student’s new university home an intellectually stimulating, enjoyable, and safe place to learn and grow.
We take every part of the UMD experience very seriously, and we are committed to making a difference with our students. Most of our students excel, but many of them also encounter challenging situations involving alcohol. Most relationships among students are positive and supportive. However, there are times when unhealthy relationships appear between students. When abuse occurs, it is often related to alcohol use. We've implemented a comprehensive prevention program to help our students make the safest, healthiest decisions possible.
As the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Chancellor, it is a pleasure for me to welcome you to our outstanding university community. The faculty, staff, and students of UMD join me in our commitment to making your student’s new university home an intellectually stimulating, enjoyable, and safe place to learn and grow.
We take every part of the UMD experience very seriously, and we are committed to making a difference with our students. Most of our students excel, but many of them also encounter challenging situations involving alcohol. Most relationships among students are positive and supportive. However, there are times when unhealthy relationships appear between students. When abuse occurs, it is often related to alcohol use. We've implemented a comprehensive prevention program to help our students make the safest, healthiest decisions possible.
- Our health services and student life staff offer resources and programming designed to heighten student awareness of the dangers of alcohol abuse and underage drinking. A comprehensive resource page may be found by visiting this website.
- When violations of university alcohol policies occur we have disciplinary procedures in place to address these issues in a manner focused on education and changing behavior. The emphasis is on helping students be successful in every aspect of their college experience.
- At UMD, we value our partnership with parents regarding the health and safety of our students. To that end, we will contact the parents of any UMD student who has been taken to the hospital emergency room or to a local detoxification facility by UMD police for an alcohol-related emergency. On a case-by-case basis, we may also contact the parents of underage UMD students who have violated the university’s alcohol policy, on or off campus.
- This summer every incoming student will be required to complete AlcoholEdu for College, a 2-3 hour online course that uses the latest prevention techniques and research to educate students about the impact of alcohol on the mind and body. Whether or not your student drinks alcohol, AlcoholEdu for College will empower your student to make well-informed decisions about alcohol and help them better cope with the drinking behavior of peers.
We also understand that parents are the first line of defense against
alcohol misuse and abuse. There are several things you can do this
summer to help your student get ready for the decisions they’ll be
making after they get to UMD. We’re providing a brochure
to serve as a resource and a guide if you decide to discuss the dangers
of underage drinking and excessive alcohol use with your student.
Sexual misconduct is defined at UMD as sexual harassment, sexual assault, stalking, and relationship violence. The related University of Minnesota policy provides detailed information about our approach to reported sexual misconduct. At UMD, we take these issues very seriously and also have a number of educational programs focused on prevention that are offered during Bulldog Welcome Week and throughout the school year. Minnesota State Law requires that every incoming student must participate in training on sexual assault prevention. One way our students will receive training is through another online course called Sexual Assault Prevention.
Our partner for providing the AlcoholEdu and Sexual Assault Prevention is a company called EVERFI. (By the way, EVERFI also provides online training required for every UMD employee). We’re providing you with a link to an EVERFI website that has information for parents of college students. The site includes downloadable resources to support conversations with your student about these important topics. In addition, this UMD website has links to an overview for each of the required courses.
The deadline for completing the AlcoholEdu and Sexual Assault Prevention courses is August 19, 2019. We hope you will encourage your student to meet that deadline.
We are proud of the safe and supportive learning environment at UMD, and we thank you for helping us educate students about the dangers of behaviors that put them at risk and that detract from their academic achievements.
Sincerely,
Lendley C. Black
Chancellor
Sexual misconduct is defined at UMD as sexual harassment, sexual assault, stalking, and relationship violence. The related University of Minnesota policy provides detailed information about our approach to reported sexual misconduct. At UMD, we take these issues very seriously and also have a number of educational programs focused on prevention that are offered during Bulldog Welcome Week and throughout the school year. Minnesota State Law requires that every incoming student must participate in training on sexual assault prevention. One way our students will receive training is through another online course called Sexual Assault Prevention.
Our partner for providing the AlcoholEdu and Sexual Assault Prevention is a company called EVERFI. (By the way, EVERFI also provides online training required for every UMD employee). We’re providing you with a link to an EVERFI website that has information for parents of college students. The site includes downloadable resources to support conversations with your student about these important topics. In addition, this UMD website has links to an overview for each of the required courses.
The deadline for completing the AlcoholEdu and Sexual Assault Prevention courses is August 19, 2019. We hope you will encourage your student to meet that deadline.
We are proud of the safe and supportive learning environment at UMD, and we thank you for helping us educate students about the dangers of behaviors that put them at risk and that detract from their academic achievements.
Sincerely,
Lendley C. Black
Chancellor
