The NDSU President's Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs announced the results of the fall 2010 survey of employers of NDSU graduates regarding the effect of alcohol infractions on the future employability of students.

In November, the survey was sent to 3,026 human resource directors of companies that employ NDSU graduates. Respondents represented a variety of employment sectors including manufacturing, engineering, government, healthcare, finance and others.

Results of the study indicate that employers of NDSU graduates consider the past infractions of students prior to making hiring decisions. According to one employer, “If filling a position came down to two individuals who were equally qualified (or have the same potential) we would opt not to hire the person with infractions on their record. This could be specifically detrimental to a recent college grad who is trying to get into the workforce.” Other results of the survey indicate:

·      57.2 percent of employers of NDSU graduates conduct criminal background checks on all positions

·      37.8 percent check social networking sites of prospective employees

·      28.8 percent of employers would require additional explanation for a Minor in Possession

·      50 percent of employers have a policy prohibiting individuals from being hired if they have been convicted of a felony

The DUIs and Degrees brochure contains an overview of the results of this study with suggestions for students who have already received an alcohol or drug-related infraction. A copy of the brochure and a summary of the results of this study are available at www.ndsu.edu/alcoholinfo.

Faculty and staff are encouraged to share the survey results with students to help them make low-risk decisions related to alcohol and other drug use.

Questions may be directed to Erika Beseler Thompson at erika.beseler@ndsu.edu or 1-5478 or Laura Oster-Aaland at laura.oster-aaland@ndsu.edu or 1-7750.