University Alcohol Policy Needs Adjustment

8/21/2008

Technician Online

OUR OPINION: The University's Hard-line Stance on
Underage Consumption and Binge Drinking is an Ineffective Policy

The spike in alcohol violations on campus since residence halls opened for move-in on Saturday is a safety concern for University students and officials, including two DWIs and 14 referrals for alcohol infractions.

While these incidents may be cause for concern, the University's knee-jerk response is an overreaction that does not effectively address the problems of underage alcohol use and binge drinking. Simply saying "no underage drinking or else" is not enough.

The increasing number of alcohol referrals in recent years is a clear sign that simply saying that students should not consume alcohol is not working - if students are still drinking irresponsibly and driving afterwards, the message isn't sticking.

The University should adjust the existing alcohol policy, which subjects students to formal disciplinary action and potential criminal charges, to fit more in line with programs that promote safe alcohol consumption. Officials should create an alternative to the current policy, using AlcoholEdu, which all incoming students under 21 are required to complete, as an outline. This new policy should serve to educate rather than only punish students.

According to Chris Austin, assistant director of health promotion and coordinator for AlcoholEdu, the program focuses on trying to get students to abide by existing alcohol rules. However, it also encourages students who choose to drink alcohol to do so in a responsible manner.

Despite complaints that the program might send mixed messages to students, AlcoholEdu speaks for itself. While the data is not conclusive, there are promising trends in student behaviors with regard to alcohol consumption. Austin said students are starting to watch what they drink and engage in safer behaviors, like eating food before consuming alcohol.

This reasonable stance is something the University should try to follow. Merely informing students that the University will not condone underage drinking and issuing harsh punishments for alcohol violations is not enough. Administrators need to craft policies that account for students who ignore existing alcohol rules and offer instruction on how to enjoy alcohol in moderation.

Ultimately, the University needs to make an effort to objectively study which policies prove most effective in reducing high-risk alcohol consumption among students.