On-Campus Organizing: Colleges and Universities
Because the campus environment is where students spend much of their time, efforts to improve the situation should focus on the policies and practices in this setting that contribute to alcohol problems. The overwhelming presence of alcohol at some events, alcohol advertising and promotion, and lax enforcement of existing laws can all contribute to binge drinking and other alcohol-related problems.
Strategies
Here are some environmental prevention strategies that have worked on campuses:
Expand alcohol-free activities Students on college campuses often have a great deal of unstructured time. For example, a survey of Stanford University students found that their average bedtime was well past 2AM. However, few activities are available to students late at night, and consequently, students have great amounts of free time to drink. Creating alcohol-free cultural, athletic, artistic, and academic options for students provides alternatives to drinking when students would otherwise participate in events focused on alcohol.
This also helps establish alcohol-free norms for the campus community. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill found that the first weekend of the school year had become an occasion for heavy drinking by many students. In response, they organized an alcohol-free alternative for students during this weekend.
Require Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) training for on-campus facilities that serve alcohol
Studies have shown that despite state and local laws against sales to those under 21, and to individuals who are obviously intoxicated, commercial alcohol outlets often do provide alcohol to people in these situations. Moreover, individuals who drink and drive often consume their last drink at a local business selling alcohol. Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) is a set of activities designed to reduce problems related to alcohol sales and service through responsible selling and serving practices. RBS provides owners, managers, servers, and sellers with strategies to avoid illegally providing alcohol to underage youth or those who are intoxicated. Establishing and enforcing responsible sales and service practices can reduce alcohol problems on numerous fronts.
Reduce/Eliminate alcohol promotions and sponsorships for campus organizations
Alcohol companies recognize that current and future profits are dependent on college drinkers. They spend millions of dollars trying to reach "entry level" drinkers through campus promotions and sponsorships. For example, beer companies often sponsor concerts or outdoor festivals, especially those that are popular with youth.
Additionally, fraternities and sororities may receive sponsorship funding from alcohol companies in exchange for logo/brand placement on clothing and other items. Restricting or eliminating alcohol sponsorship on campus will help reinforce the expectation that drinking is not an inherent part of collegiate life.
Restrict alcohol advertising in campus publications
Alcohol advertising on and around college campuses, and especially alcohol industry sponsorship of campus events, can be a major environmental factor influencing students' drinking decisions. One study found that 35% of college newspaper advertising revenue comes from the alcohol industry, while the primary audience for college newspapers is under the legal drinking age. Other venues for alcohol advertising include sports schedules, and athletic and artistic programs.
Enact a "dry-campus" policy
A "dry-campus" policy is one that prohibits alcohol on any university-owned property or at any school-sponsored event. As such, "dry-campus" policies help counteract the notion that drinking is an essential part of the college experience. Colleges that enact dry-campus policies are better able to control underage and binge drinking, as alcohol is less readily available.
Eliminate alcohol at school sporting events
Eliminating sales and availability of alcohol at sporting events, such as stadium sales and tailgating, can have a significant impact on related problems, both on and off campus. The presence of alcohol in these settings is often linked to heavy drinking, alcohol-related crashes, and violence.
Eliminating sales and other supplies of alcohol at collegiate sporting events can serve two functions. First, it can produce an immediate reduction in alcohol-related problems. Additionally, it breaks the link between sports and drinking, which contributes to the overall acceptance and normalcy of alcohol use on campuses.
Many schools no longer allow the sale of alcohol at sporting events. For example, the University of Colorado and Colorado State University have stopped selling alcohol at their annual rivalry game. Many schools now restrict or prohibit alcohol while tailgating at major sporting events.
Designate alcohol-free housing
Alcohol-free living environments provide students with housing that downplays the importance of alcohol in college. Such living arrangements reduce access to alcohol by creating an environment in which alcohol possession and consumption is completely prohibited.
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