Off-Campus Organizing: Working in the Community
An equally important part of preventing alcohol problems is attending to conditions in the community surrounding the campus. The environments in which universities are located have a tremendous impact on alcohol consumption and related problems for college students. Policies and practices of local bars and liquor stores can either contribute to or discourage heavy drinking by college students and others. Activists at some colleges and universities have been successful at working with local bars and merchants to stop alcohol discounting and tighten rules on selling alcohol to minors. Local government and law enforcement are also good partners to improve the implementation and enforcement of alcohol policy.
Strategies
End alcohol specials or discounts
Many bars near college campuses have drink specials that encourage binge drinking. Extremely cheap prices on individual drinks and drink specials take advantage of both students' limited incomes and the expectations and norms around heavy drinking. Communities in Iowa , for example, have enacted city ordinances that make drink specials, such as quarter beers, "all you can drink" promotions, and discounts for specific populations (e.g. ladies night) illegal in an attempt to curb underage and heavy drinking by college students.
Support responsible promotions by local businesses
Many alcohol merchants that cater to college students use alcohol heavily in their promotional materials and advertising, such as flyers, banners, newspaper advertisements, and table tent cards. Bars and clubs can limit or eliminate advertisements that feature alcohol and downplay its importance in such settings. At Florida State University, several bars and clubs have agreed not to promote alcohol on their flyers/ads and focus instead on bands, DJ's, or food1. At SUNY Albany , bar owners that self-regulate the content of their ads can use a "Cooperating Tavern" logo in their marketing to show they're conducting business responsibly.
Strengthen enforcement of existing laws and regulations
Laws and policies already exist to prevent alcohol-related problems, such as sales to minors, sales to intoxicated people, or driving while intoxicated, and to hold people accountable for breaking such laws. However, the expectation that these laws will be enforced, as well as civil and criminal liability for violators, is critical to their success at creating the intended effects.
College and university towns have succeeded by collaborating with local government, law enforcement, and businesses to enforce existing policies. Examples of enforcement strategies include "minor decoy" operations, "shoulder-tap" operations, and "undercover bar" patronage.
Promote Responsible Beverage Service in community bars, restaurants, and clubs
Similar to RBS on campus, RBS practices in the community can reduce alcohol problems. Training merchants, managers, and line staff on how to spot fake ID's, cut off heavy drinkers, and enforce limits on the number of servings per person can reduce off-campus intoxication and redefine norms about binge drinking for all community residents.
Address location of alcohol outlets near campuses
The presence of alcohol outlets and bars near campus increases the availability of alcohol to the overall student population. Moreover, these businesses are likely to derive much of their income from students. Changing the zoning and location of alcohol outlets can reduce availability and provision of alcohol to students.
1http://www.edc.org/hec/ideasamplers/fsu.html Accessed on 11.03.03.
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