Faculty
A challenge to academics and students is balancing the rigor of course work and Notre Dame traditions that can contribute to abusive drinking. As a faculty member, overall success of students is a priority. Drinking on campus may not appear to be much of an issue as it is rare that a student would show up to class under the influence. What is more relevant is whether a student is working to their potential or producing the quality of work they are capable of. Class attendance, meeting deadlines of assignments; attentiveness, concentration and motivation in the classroom are often the attributes faculty use as a measure of academic success. A student that is not meeting their potential or shows a decrease in performance in any of these areas can be an indication of abusive drinking, depression, personal crisis or medical concern. Early intervention is crucial to effect change.
As a faculty member you may be the least threatening person to approach a student about concerns. Sometimes expressing concern with a student may be all it takes. It may also be beneficial to first consult with the student’s academic advisor to see if any other faculty is observing the same behaviors. If a student lives on campus it is possible to contact hall staff to discuss concern or corroborate information.
Guidelines and Resources:
- You can discuss with the student your observations and concerns.
- Consult with the student’s academic advisor.
- Consult with the Rector.
- Approach the student with concerns; be specific about behaviors that are contributing to the concern.
- Depending on what the student expresses, your brief discussion can change behaviors.
- If a student seems to be in distress encourage them to seek the appropriate resource through the University Counseling Center, 1-7336, the Office of Alcohol and Drug Education, 1-7970, or possibly Campus Ministry, 1-7800.
Referring a Student for an Education Assessment with the Office of Alcohol and Drug Education or the University Counseling Center
Faculty can refer a student for an assessment to determine what education would be must beneficial.
- Encourage the student to make an appointment.
- Give the student the phone number of where to call.
- Suggest a deadline that the student calls by.
- Confirm with the student that they made the call by the deadline.
- If a student does not call, this may be the time to consult with other involved faculty or staff to corroborate information. Other staff could have more resources or information.
What do I need to tell students when I refer them to OADE or the UCC?
Let the student know the assessment is to determine which education session/s they will attend. It is very important to help the student feel more at ease about the process. Share with the student that the assessment is an opportunity for them to discuss use of alcohol, depression or other possible issues and minimize their risk for any negative impact academically.
The student should call or stop by Saint Liam Hall to set up an appointment for an assessment. An assessment usually takes 60 minutes. Let the student know that there will be a follow-up session to review the assessment. Interventions work best if the appointment is scheduled soon after the consultation.
All students referred to OADE receive the following confidential services:
- Individual Education Screening – this initial appointment usually takes 20-30 minutes.
- Personalized Feedback and Recommendations – typically will be given at the end of the screening.
How can I verify that the student followed through on the referral?
You can call the office and verify that a student has contacted the office. It allows the counselor to let the referral source know that the student scheduled/completed the assessment. No other details are discussed or released.
Some Unique Issues Surrounding the Notre Dame Drinking Culture
Much research is needed to help understand and change the drinking culture at Notre Dame. Over the last several years the Office of Alcohol and Drug Education has seen many interesting trends and patterns that need to be studied if we are going to make any kind of impact on our students.
The first trend is that each academic college within the university brings about its own drinking culture based on work load, demands, stress, and opportunity. Science pre-professionals, engineers, and architects with less opportunity to drink seem to experience single heavy drinking episodes that can end in alcohol poisoning, injury and blackouts. Business majors on the other hand seem to drink more frequently and have heavier drinking patterns.
A second trend or connection seems to be based on a student’s spiritual connection to self, family, community and solidified future goals. The higher risk abusive drinker tends to have more of a disconnect that interferes with motivation. These students really struggle with maturing out of abusive drinking.
A third trend has evolved out of our unique Notre Dame traditions. Along with these wonderful traditions, come opportunities to drink. Unfortunately abusive drinking situations seem to come from specific events when students overdo celebration such as tailgates, alumni reunions and other signature events.
The Office of Alcohol and Drug Education remains dedicated to improving the quality of our student’s education and can be of assistance if necessary.
The Extended Hangover: Alcohol’s Effect on the Brain
Most of us already know that alcohol has an immediate effect on the brain and abusive use can cause memory loss such as blackouts (not remembering events while drinking). However, few students realize the extended hangover; the continued difficulties with concentration and memory for days later. Short term effects of heavy usage usually last up to 72 hours and small amounts (Blood Alcohol Concentration of .03) will persist for a substantial period of time even after the acute effects of alcohol impairment disappear.
It is not as simple as just not drinking while studying or attending class. Memory formation is a complex process that takes a long time. Alcohol in the system can inhibit the brain’s ability to learn and store new information as it compromises the hippocampus, the structure deep in the brain vital to the formation of memories. In addition, memories are solidified during the REM sleep stage. Drinking alcohol disrupts or inhibits this stage of sleep. This disruption reduces the brain’s ability to learn and retain information. Even drinking up to six hours before you go to sleep can negatively affect the sleep cycle.
- Consuming five or more alcoholic beverages in one night can affect brain and body activities for up to three days.
- Two consecutive nights of drinking five or more alcoholic beverages can affect brain and body activities for up to five days.
The faculty is widely respected by students and has the opportunity to influence healthy behavior and decisions. Students that may be struggling with abusive drinking may frequently attempt to negotiate time extensions for assignments, may appear to be more exhausted or tired, or you may hear stories of pride in the weekend escapades of drinking.