[Jyfparents] Sweet Briar College Junior Year in France policy

[Margaret Scouten]

Dear parents,

This was sent to all participants on the SBC JYF program today.

Sincerely,

Margaret Scouten
Director


Cher(e)s étudiant(e)s,

Nous vous envoyons le message suivant en anglais pour que tout soit 
parfaitement clair. 

To date, there have been a few cases of Sweet Briar students drinking to the
point of total unawareness,unconsciousness, and/or collapse.  We feel it imperative 
to remind you all that ALCOHOL POISONING CAN BE FATAL.  In addition to the great health
risks involved, drunkenness can make you an easy target for theft or crimes
of violence.   ALCOHOL ABUSE IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.  Any repeat incidence of excessive 
drinking will result in probation.  As stated in the Terms and Conditions 
of the application which you and your parents signed: 
 
"Sweet Briar College reserves the right to dismiss from the Junior Year in France any 
student whose conduct or continued presence interferes with or threatens to interfere with
the rights or well-being of the student, the group or any other person.  Once in France,
this decision may be made by the Resident Diretor or the Assistant to the Resident 
Director, in appropriate cases including consultation with the Director and other 
officials of Sweet Briar College." 

 
  We will be happy to recommend professionals if anyone thinks he or she 
needs help with an alcohol problem.

For those of you who choose to drink, please observe the following:

1) Drink responsibly and know your limits!
2) Never drink alone.  Make sure you are accompanied by a trusted friend who
also drinks responsibly and knows his/her limits.
3) Never accept a drink from someone you do not know well.  There have been
cases of use of the "date-rape" drug in Europe as well as in the U.S.

We would also like to remind you of the section on alcohol which appears on page 22
of the 2004-2005 Bulletin Supplement.  It is appropriate, too, to reiterate the section on
"Standards of conduct for students" which appeared under the statement of "Terms and Conditions" in your
application packet and on page 11 of the Bulletin:

"Students enrolled in the Junior Year in France are expected to adapt to
French customs, to show maturity and reasonable discretion without specific 
regulations to govern every contingency.
Accordingly, each student is required to assume full responsiblity for his or
her own behavior and conduct and for careful use of facilities made available and/or
 entrusted to him/her.  The use of DRUGS or proscribed chemical substances will NOT be 
tolerated under any circumstances.  It is illegal in France and everywhere.  Furthermore, 
innocent persons associated with the individual directly involved are also
liable to penalties.  While in France students are subject to French laws.  It
is the responsibility of each student to know and comply with French laws; to assume 
responsibility and potential liability in all matters, in particular in
matters of compliance with regulations concerning the consumption of alcoholic
beverages; and further, to help prevent any abuse or excesses stemming from the use of
alcoholic beverages.  Students are reminded of their general responsibility for the 
safety and welfare of one another."

PLEASE BE SAFE.  Thank you.

If you ahve any questions and/or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us. 

Sincerely,

Margaret A. Scouten, Director
Mary Jane Cowles, Resident Director
Karen R. Parnet, Assistant Director