Point Forgiveness Program

Point Forgiveness

The goals of point forgiveness are:

* To reward students who avoid conduct difficulty

* To give students an opportunity to reduce points through meaningful activities

* To help students learn more about alcohol so they can make informed choices

* To help students become more aware how choices affect outcomes. 

* To provide support to students who want to make positive behavioral changes 

FAQs about point reduction

How often can I get a 1-point reduction?

*You will automatically receive a 1-point reduction for each semester during which you completely avoid any conduct violations.

*You may also reduce one point per academic year by voluntarily participating in a point reduction activity.

If I have no conduct violations at the end of a semester, do I need to let someone know that I qualify for a 1-point reduction?

No, this happens automatically.  For questions, contact Stephanie Rye, srye@gettysburg.edu.

What can I do to get a 1-point reduction?

1.  If you have 1-4 points:

You may reduce a point by completing an on-line program.  Go to:  http://sanctions.alcoholedu.com/enter.aspx and enter the Login ID: 8S212674S. 

You may only complete this on-line program once for point reduction.      

2.  If you have 5-9 points:

Counseling Services offers four sequential prevention programs (described below), each of which can earn you a one-point reduction.  You must complete the programs in sequence, and you may participate in each Level 1, 2 or 3 program only once, whether as a sanction or for point reduction.  Be sure to keep track in order to avoid accidentally completing Level 1, 2 or 3 more than once.  If you are assigned a program as a sanction that you've already completed for point forgiveness, let your Area Coordinator know that.

Counseling Services Prevention Programs

Level 1:

CHEERS "Second Look"   You may attend only once.

Our campus CHEERS peer educators facilitate this 1-hour program.  Students take a "second look" at their drinking, examine their attitudes and perceptions and consider how these influence their behavior and consequences. Students learn risk-reduction strategies and set personal goals.  

Level 2:

BASICS (Group adaptation of Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students, G. Alan Marlatt et. al., U. of Washington)   You may attend only once.

Students attend a 1-session educational group followed by an individual confidential meeting with a counselor. You must attend both the group and individual meeting to get credit.  Students assess the effects of their drinking, set goals, and get support for effecting positive change in their lives.  The BASICS group session is offered three times each semester.

Level 3:

On-campus Assessment/Recommendations   You may complete only once.

Students participate in a confidential individual assessment of their alcohol and other drug use by Counseling Services staff.  The counselor and student then collaborate to set goals, including recommendations for counseling and other support to increase likelihood of success in meeting these goals. The assessment process generally takes three sessions over three weeks.

Level 4:

On- and off-campus counseling You may participate more than once, as needed/requested. Counseling Services assists the student by recommending appropriate level of service (on- or off-campus individual or group counseling) based on the student's needs. Duration and type of counseling sessions to satisfy the requirement for point forgiveness is based your counselor's recommendations after consulting with you.  There is no charge for on-campus individual or group counseling. Students referred for off-campus treatment are responsible for those costs.  On-campus support for students returning from off-campus treatment programs is available.

When may I do a point reduction activity?

It's strongly recommended that you complete point reduction activities as early in the academic year as possible.  This is especially true for assessments as there are a limited number of assessment slots available per semester, awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.  

In all cases point reduction may not be started after April 15.

How do I sign up?

To sign up for Second Look or BASICS for point reduction, email Stephanie Rye (srye@gettysburg.edu) for a schedule. 

To sign up for an on-campus assessment or counseling for point reduction, call the Counseling Services office, 717-337-6960 to set up a confidential counseling appointment.