In compliance with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (DFSCA) articulated through Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) Part 86, a review of the University of Virginia’s alcohol and other drug programs is assessed every two years.

Since the DFSCA’s 1994 amendments to the Higher Education Act of 1965, institutions of higher education have been responsible for communicating standards and prevention efforts regarding the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of alcohol and other illicit drugs (AOD) on their campuses.  Every year, institutions are responsible for notifying students, faculty, and staff of the consequences AOD brings to the campus community. Every other year, in a biennial review, institutions must prepare a report that assesses AOD prevention efforts and allows for growth by examining the strengths and weaknesses of current offerings. Institutions are charged with determining the effectiveness of their efforts and ensuring that disciplinary standards for enforcement are being upheld.

The Biennial Review includes:

• A program inventory
• Statement of AOD program goals and goal achievement
• Summary of AOD program strengths and weaknesses
• Procedures for distribution of annual AOD notification to students and employees
• Recommendations for revising AOD programs
• Appendices to provide further details

Through the Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse and Violence Prevention, the U.S. Department of Education funded Complying with the Drug-Free Schools and Campuses Regulations [EDGAR Part 86]: A Guide for University and College Administrators, Washington D.C., 2006, revised by Beth DeRicco, Ph.D., CPP-R (“Guide”). According to the Guide, “this publication is in the public domain. Authorization to reproduce it in whole or in part is granted.” The University of Virginia acknowledges that intellectual information and direction from the Guide have been utilized in the creation of this biennial review.