A 21st birthday is an important milestone in life–marking the coming of age to adulthood. UD students turning 21–on average, about 75 a week during September– are now receiving online birthday greetings from Vice President for Student Life Roland Smith.

Students who turn 21 receive an e-mail message directing them to [www.udel.edu/happy birthday]. Complete with colorful floating balloons, the greeting offers good wishes, congratulations and reminds students to have a special day that is a memorable, happy and safe.

The card also carries an important message, if students choose to celebrate the milestone with alcohol, they should do so in a responsible manner. Nationally, an average of one college student each week dies from an alcohol-related incident, including alcohol poisoning. Smith notes in the card, "We do not want you to become a statistic."

The card also includes the symptoms of alcohol poisoning, what to do to save a friend who is experiencing them and a list of campus and community numbers to call for assistance.

"The greeting is designed to congratulate UD students and to serve as a wake-up call to the consequences of reckless drinking. Alcohol is the number one youth problem, responsible for 6.5 times more deaths among youths than illicit drugs combined and is a factor in the three leading causes of youth death–motor vehicle accidents, homicide and suicide," Smith said.

"A number of colleges and universities are sending this kind of letter to remind students that if they do intend to drink to do so moderately and that binge drinking can lead to alcohol poisoning and possibly injury or death," Smith said.

"The concept came from the mother of a University of Michigan student who died of alcohol poisoning, and she began a campaign of sending letters to students so that her family tragedy would not be repeated," he said.

In addition, Smith is sending letters to parents of 21-year-olds, asking them to encourage their students to celebrate this special birthday "joyfully but not harmfully."

The opening design of the web-based card was created by Thomas H. Newsom, a senior art major, who worked this summer in Information Technologies/ Management Information Services.