From now on, WSU will notify parents of students’ first offenses for underage drinking.

Previous policy dictated that parents would be notified after their students’ second offenses for Minor in Possession (MIP).

The change was written into the Standards of Student Conduct following recommendations by the WSU Presidential Task Force on Prevention and Education for Alcohol and Other Drugs.

Adam Jussel, director of Student Standards and Accountability, said the change is intended to help parents remain involved in their student’s lives while they are students at WSU.

“We’re trying to get parents to talk to their sons and daughters about appropriate behavior and consequences,” he said.

Jussel said since the beginning of the school year he has signed 200 letters to parents informing them of students’ misconduct.

Megan Zielinski, a freshman elementary education major, said she is unsure how she feels about the new policy.

“Our parents are the ones paying for our education, so maybe they should be notified of the way we act,” she said. “On the other hand, we are adults and can make our own decisions.”

Jussel said he hopes involving parents will combat repeat offenses by influencing how students make decisions regarding drugs and alcohol.

This new policy applies to any minor found under the influence of drugs or alcohol by Pullman or WSU police departments, regardless of whether they live on campus.

“It is important to know that just because you leave campus, doesn’t mean you are not accountable for your actions,” Jussel said. “Actions taken off-campus by students can adversely affect our community whether they’re downtown or on Northside.”

He said the new policy will promote safety and make parents an active part of the WSU community.

“We’re trying to engage a part of our community, which is not otherwise engaged,” Jussel said.

He said conversations will start between parents and students and, hopefully, counter the misconception that WSU is a “party school.”

“We’re a high-quality institution and college. This is not a time to break rules and laws without consequence, and this change reflects that,” Jussel said.

Taylor Schueler, a sophomore criminal justice major, said she didn’t expect the new policy to affect how much time students spend partying or studying.

“People always take time to party,” she said.

Jussel said while the student response has been mixed, the response by parents has been overwhelmingly supportive.