Faculty & Staff

As you set the norms and expectations for student behavior in your classroom, consider including information on the effects of alcohol on academic performance or resources to help. For example:

• Throughout the semester you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning and may lead to diminished academic performance. St. Cloud State University provides services to assist you in addressing these issues. If you need more information about issues relating to alcohol or other drugs, please email UChoose at uchoose@stcloudstate.edu or call 320-308-4179.

Research shows that students have many misperceptions about the role of alcohol use in the lives of other students. They consistently overestimate what their peers consume and the frequency of negative consequences.

At St. Cloud State University, about 40% of our students choose NOT to use alcohol, according to the university's 2017 results in the College Student Health Survey.

St. Cloud State University data has been collected since 2005. You can make a significant impact by knowing accurate alcohol use statistics and avoiding statements that reinforce misperceptions.

As faculty and staff members, students may confide in you about problems they are experiencing, or you may recognize that they are having difficulties.

To offer assistance, it is necessary to become familiar with the signs that a student might be experiencing difficulties due to their alcohol and/or drug use. Remember that you are not expected to be an expert in this area.

The first step in helping a student is to recognize that a problem might exist and offer assistance. This simple gesture may be all it takes for a student to seek help.

Signs/symptoms:

• Appearing under the influence during class.
• Preoccupation with alcohol and other drug use, which may be evident in conversation or coursework.
• Absenteeism and/or changes in work or academic performance.
• Changes in mood or behavior.
• Trouble with police or university officials due to alcohol and/or drug use.
• Increased tolerance and/or difficulty cutting down or controlling level of use.
• Feelings of guilt, shame or sadness regarding use of substances.
• Feeling annoyed or attacked when asked about their drinking or drug use.

• Select a private location to talk.
• Briefly describe your observations of their situation; express your concerns directly and honestly.
• Listen carefully, reflect back what you are hearing without judgment or evaluation.
• Ask about their current support system(s) and validate any effort they have taken to consider or address the concern.
• Have resource information available to provide the student.
• Offer to help them connect with available resources.
• Remember that even if the student refuses your help, you played a critical role in helping them consider whether a problem exists.

When alcohol or drug-related events occur in the media or when partying comes up in a pre-class discussion, use that time to promote healthy and responsible choices. 

Use your influence as an authority to share statistics or challenge the misperceptions of alcohol’s role in campus life.

The Recovery Ally program trains faculty and staff to be supportive of students in recovery from drugs and alcohol. Trainings are offered multiple times each semester and can be requested for your department or staff by contacting recovery@stcloudstate.edu.

Inclusive language is a great way to show support. Language is powerful, especially when talking about addictions. Stigmatizing language perpetuates negative perceptions. They can discourage, shame, isolate and embarrass. Focus on using “person first” language as it focuses on the person, not the disorder.

Information about recovery and recovery resources can be found on our Recovery Resource Center page.