| project
is funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
and the U.S. Department of Education.
The Survey of College Alcohol Norms and Behavior was
administered in the spring of 2000 to 5,400 randomly selected students
at 18 colleges and universities. The study not only showed that
students underestimate their peers' support for alcohol restrictions,
but data released last year indicate that they overestimate the
degree of drinking among their peers.
"These significant findings will give administrators
the support they need to make substantive policy changes, which
could make a real difference in reducing campus alcohol use,"
said Laura Gomberg, the Social Norms project director at EDC.
Following are some of the policies covered in the survey, and the
data on "actual" versus "perceived" student
support for them.
- Prohibition of kegs on campus: While 58.4% of students surveyed
were in favor of this policy, only 26.2% of students believed
there was student support for it.
Stricter penalties for students:
-
 77.1%
of students supported stricter disciplinary sanctions for students
who repeatedly violate campus alcohol policies, yet only 45.6%
of students believed other students support this measure.
- 66.3%
of students supported stricter penalties for those who use false
IDs to purchase alcohol illegally; only 30.5% of students believed
other students support this policy.
Restriction of advertising that promotes alcohol consumption at
on-campus parties and events: 55.3% of students supported this policy;
only 23.8% of students believed other students support it.
Undercover operations at bars, restaurants, and liquor stores:
52.4% of students supported this measure to increase compliance
with underage drinking laws, yet only 20.1% of students believed
other students support it.
Making all residences on campus alcohol-free: 42.3% of students
supported this policy, while only 18.9% of students believed other
students support it.
William DeJong, principal investigator of the Social Norms project,
noted that the findings will give voice to the "silent majority"
on campuses, who favor measures that restrict alcohol use. "Up
until now, the most vigorous student voices we've heard have been
those protesting policies that restrict alcohol use. This study
gives voice to the majority."
For more information about the study, contact Laura Gomberg at
lgomberg@edc.org. |
