University Partners With Community to Battle Student Drinking
The University of Nebraska didn’t always take a platform on dangerous drinking; but when a student nearly died greater attention was shown and on cases at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Louisiana State University, the stage was set.
A report in the Des Moines Register noted that the school formed a university-community coalition with university leaders, police, city officials, bar owners, landlords, residents and students. According to Linda Major, an assistant to the chancellor for student affairs, the campus has shifted from an atmosphere of 63 percent of students reporting binge drinking to a 41 to 45 percent rate.
This rate is less than the national average. Major also noted the abstinence from drinking among first-year students increased from 15 percent to 40 to 50 percent. The main goal of the coalition has always been to reduce high-risk drinking among 18- to 25-year olds.
The University of Iowa in Iowa City is examining the success in Nebraska, evaluating how such programs could be effective. To combat their own problem, officials in government and business in Iowa City have formed a group with university officials called the Partnership on Alcohol Safety.
Data from the University of Iowa suggests that 70 percent of its students report binge drinking and students are routinely cited for underage drinking and public intoxication.
Both Lincoln and Iowa City have something in common – Lincoln does not have an ordinance requiring bars to refuse entry to those younger than 21. Iowa City is also lacking this regulation, although that is set to change June 1. Lincoln officials are also taking charge, increasing alternative activities for students, particularly in those rocky first six weeks of school.
