Memo sent to parents of UC Santa Cruz students regarding 4/20

"The following note was sent to parents of UC Santa Cruz students, regarding 4/20..."

"UCSC is committed to providing a safe, healthy living and learning environment in which your student can thrive while earning a world class education. To that end, I write to you regarding a non-University sanctioned event which, although actively discouraged by University officials, nevertheless continues to occur on our campus. Often referred to as 'Four-Twenty' or '4/20,' participants come together, more or less spontaneously, on April 20 at 4:20 pm for the purpose of smoking marijuana and to a lesser extent, using other illegal substances. While similar '4/20 celebrations' occur simultaneously on college campuses across the United States, over the past four years the event here at UCSC has grown in numbers, with many of the participants being visitors with no investment in our UCSC community. The growth in scale of this activity has become a concern for both the University and surrounding community."

"In an effort to maintain the safety of our students and ensure continuity of instruction and services, we continue to institute measures designed to strongly discourage students and others from participating in this 4/20 event..."

"...The use of illegal substances is a violation of the Student Code of Conduct and can result in judicial sanctions. I encourage you to talk with your student about his or her plans for 4/20. Ask direct questions about the choices they make and express your expectations regarding marijuana, alcohol or other drug use. Although students may not initiate discussion on this topic, your opinions and expectations can influence their behavior. Research shows that students are influenced by on-going family discourse regarding the use of alcohol and other drugs..."

Full article available at http://www.mercurynews.com/centralcoast/ci_12084318?nclick_check=1