Vol. 19, No. 24

March 16, 2000

Data show UD/city campaign
is having a positive impact

A campus/community campaign at the University of Delaware designed to address the negative second-hand effects of binge drinking is having a positive impact, according to data just released by the Harvard University School of Public Health, which surveys students nationally on this issue. “There are cultural changes occurring on our campus and in our community that increase the likelihood that UD students, when they drink, will do so responsibly,” according to John B. Bishop, assistant vice president for student life, who serves as director of a five-year, $700,000 campus-community effort to curb binge drinking. The cooperative project, called A Matter of Degree and funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, has focused on the negative second-hand effects of binge drinking, or drinking to get drunk, dubbed the four V’s– vandalism, violence, victims and vomit. Bishop said current data gathered by the Harvard School of Public Health indicate that significantly fewer UD students say they drink alcohol to the point where they miss class; engage in unplanned sex; are in a group asked to be less disruptive; or attend a party shut down because of alcohol problems. At the same time, the data indicate a significant increase in the number of UD students who recognize the dangers of alcohol poisoning, know how to identify someone with a drinking problem and are aware of where to go to get help for alcohol-related problems. While binge drinking rates have not changed in a statistically significant way since 1997 nationally or on the Delaware campus, 64 percent of UD students do not fit the criteria of “frequent binge drinkers,” Bishop said. Moreover, since the sample size in 1999 is almost twice as large as that in 1997 and 1998, it’s believed the current data is more reliable than in previous years, he said. “There is a wide variety of indications that the UD campus/ community environment has changed in a positive direction over the last several years,” Bishop stressed. “It may arguably be more important to see a reduction in the negative second-hand consequences of binge drinking than it is to find satisfaction in survey data,” he said. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation project and the UD/Newark Building Responsibility Coalition are now in their third year of implementing plans developed to protect the quality and safety of the campus/community environment by opposing the second-hand, negative consequences of high-risk drinking, Bishop said. “Much of our emphasis has been placed on the development and implementation of policies that will, it is hoped, change both the environment and the social norms that surround high-risk drinking,” he said. “It’s one of our jobs to help keep University people safe,” President David P. Roselle said. “That has meant policy changes, stronger enforcement and awareness about the consequences of abusing alcohol. Rather than distancing ourselves from this problem, we are determined to wrap our arms around it and to bring it into the light,” he said. “At UD,” he said, “we are working to make it clear to students that we want them to act responsibly. We want our students to be concerned about their own safety and the safety and the quality of life of others on our campus and in our community.” Accomplishments of the project include changes in policy enforcement or enhancement, educational efforts and alternative activities, Bishop said. Policy enforcement and enhancement Beginning in the fall of 1999, convictions for D.U.I., zero tolerance and fake ID violations in the city began to be reported in the University’s judicial system for additional disciplinary action, closing a loophole in the system that had existed for alcohol-related offenses, Beginning in September of 1999, UD began strict enforcement of a long-standing policy that required tailgating to stop when Blue Hen football games begin. Not only was no one transported by ambulance to the hospital for alcohol poisoning this season, compared with 23 cases of alcohol poisoning at Homecoming 1998, but attendance at 1999 football games was at an all-time high. At the state level, House Bill 233 became law and prohibits the Alcohol Beverage Control Commission from making substantive changes to liquor license holders without following all procedures for issuing new licenses. In addition, House Bill 410 has been introduced to require every keg of beer sold to have a Delaware registration tag. In the city of Newark, the policy/enforcement task group is in the process of preparing proposed changes to local zoning ordinances and business license regulations that relate to the selling of alcohol. In the campus judicial system, the enforcement of alcohol policies has increased, as evidenced by a 10.6 percent increase in total violations. However, recidivism in the judicial system in relation to alcohol offenses has decreased from 26 percent in 1997-98 to 22 percent in 1998-99. In addition, over that same period, disruptive conduct charges were reduced by 7.8 percent and charges of violence were reduced by 36.4 percent. The Newark Police Department reports alcohol offenses in the city decreased by 29.6 percent in the second half of 1999, compared to the second half of 1998. The University’s five-star Greek accreditation system, begun three years ago, has resulted in fraternity grade point averages rising to exceed the all-male grade point average for the first time. At the same time, misconduct incidents have decreased. The designated driver program was re-energized by providing participating restaurants/bars with posters that indicate free soda is available to designated drivers. Educational efforts A series of posters that contrast the negative consequences of alcohol abuse with more constructive alternatives to drinking have been well received on the campus, in the community and nationally. New students and parents receive publications that provide information on the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation-sponsored initiative, as part of New Student Orientation. The University/Schools Alliance has sponsored numerous programs in the six high schools that participate in the program, helping to reinforce the image of UD as an institution that values its educational mission, not its reputation as a party school. A guide to downtown Newark was published by the Downtown Newark Partnership, noting those businesses that are alcohol-free. Alternative activities Through the Student Alcohol Use Committee and the Community Activities Committee, nearly $40,000 a year has been provided for a large number of non-alcohol events, including dances at the Stone Balloon, midnight ice skating, music in the Scrounge and swing dances in the Carpenter Sports Building.