Resources for Parents
The resources on this page are designed to equip parents with some scripts and tools that will help them engage in effective communication with their college-attending child. Many common situations that increase the risk for high-risk drinking, like the 21st birthday, spring break, and housing and roommates are covered.
For more information, please visit the College Parents Matter website.
Highlights: Parents and Families as Partners in Reducing Substance Use
Malinda Hollis Kennedy shared the latest research on family engagement in higher education. A 2024 book, Engaging Families in Higher Education: Lessons Learned and Best Practices, highlights parents’ changing role.
College Parents Matter: Have the Conversation
College Parents Matter provides parents tips for talking to their college-aged child about alcohol and high-risk situations that involve alcohol.
Campus Council Quarterly Meeting Highlights June 2023
Dr. Jason Kilmer shared his lessons learned from state cannabis legalization for campus policy and enforcement.
Spring Break
It is important to engage in conversations before your student makes decisions about spring break so that you and your student will be comfortable with their plans.
Sexual Assault
It can be uncomfortable to talk with your college student about sex, much less sexual assault. It is probably on your mind, and it is important for your college student to think about it too.
Off-Campus Housing
Talk to your student about the legal consequences of underage and excessive drinking that exist while living off campus. There are a variety of legal problems that can arise including alcohol citations, providing alcohol to minors, noise complaints, property damage, and eviction.
Impaired Driving
Having conversations about impaired drinking with your student will not only be relevant to their college experience, but also help them learn how to be a safe driver for life.
Housing & Roomates
Talk to your student about what they might encounter in the residence halls and with roommates. Remind them that drinking can get in the way of what they want to achieve during college.
Holidays
Many college students use certain holidays as an opportunity to drink excessively. These days of heightened drinking create many adverse consequences for the students, college, and surrounding community. Try to help your student avoid this cycle.
Halloween
College students are inundated with Halloween-themed images and messages that promote celebratory drinking. As a result, even students who do not ordinarily drink excessively might view Halloween as an opportunity to engage in high-risk drinking.
Cannabis
A lot of conflicting and confusing information exists today about cannabis, also known as marijuana. Our goal is to give you science-based information and tips you can use to have important conversations with your college student.
21st Birthday
It’s important to talk to your student about celebrating their 21st birthday safely. Because the 21st birthday marks a change in legal status, many college students report drinking while celebrating. Engaging in high-risk drinking is extremely dangerous and can lead to serious health consequences.
Resources for Parents
Tools and scripts for parents to improve communication with their college student.
Highlights: Parents and Families as Partners in Reducing Substance Use
Malinda Hollis Kennedy shared the latest research on family engagement in higher education. A 2024 book, Engaging Families in Higher Education: Lessons Learned and Best Practices, highlights parents’ changing role.
College Parents Matter: Have the Conversation
College Parents Matter provides parents tips for talking to their college-aged child about alcohol and high-risk situations that involve alcohol.
Campus Council Quarterly Meeting Highlights June 2023
Dr. Jason Kilmer shared his lessons learned from state cannabis legalization for campus policy and enforcement.
Spring Break
It is important to engage in conversations before your student makes decisions about spring break so that you and your student will be comfortable with their plans.
Sexual Assault
It can be uncomfortable to talk with your college student about sex, much less sexual assault. It is probably on your mind, and it is important for your college student to think about it too.
Off-Campus Housing
Talk to your student about the legal consequences of underage and excessive drinking that exist while living off campus. There are a variety of legal problems that can arise including alcohol citations, providing alcohol to minors, noise complaints, property damage, and eviction.
Impaired Driving
Having conversations about impaired drinking with your student will not only be relevant to their college experience, but also help them learn how to be a safe driver for life.
Housing & Roomates
Talk to your student about what they might encounter in the residence halls and with roommates. Remind them that drinking can get in the way of what they want to achieve during college.
Holidays
Many college students use certain holidays as an opportunity to drink excessively. These days of heightened drinking create many adverse consequences for the students, college, and surrounding community. Try to help your student avoid this cycle.
Halloween
College students are inundated with Halloween-themed images and messages that promote celebratory drinking. As a result, even students who do not ordinarily drink excessively might view Halloween as an opportunity to engage in high-risk drinking.
Cannabis
A lot of conflicting and confusing information exists today about cannabis, also known as marijuana. Our goal is to give you science-based information and tips you can use to have important conversations with your college student.
21st Birthday
It’s important to talk to your student about celebrating their 21st birthday safely. Because the 21st birthday marks a change in legal status, many college students report drinking while celebrating. Engaging in high-risk drinking is extremely dangerous and can lead to serious health consequences.