New American Medical Association Poll Finds College Binge Drinking a Top Concern for Parents

Three task groups are implementing the strategic plan: Campus Policies, Community Policies and Student Initiatives. An executive board administers the overall plan of action. The task groups meet at least bi-weekly, and the entire coalition assembles quarterly. The program is staffed by a project director, a communications coordinator, an evaluation coordinator and student employees. The "A Matter of Degree" grants are administered by the American Medical Association and are evaluated by the Harvard School of Public Health.

Academic Calendar/Scheduling Policy: The Office of Academic Affairs established a new course-scheduling policy which resulted in a broader spectrum of classes offered in more time slots over an expanded academic week. The purpose of the policy change was 1) to meet enrollment and classroom needs and 2) to extend the class week to inhibit Thursday night partying and improve the learning community.

Football Stadium Enforcement Policy: The Athletic Department established and enforced new football stadium. alcohol policies resulting in fewer disruptions and arrests during the fall 2000 football season "No backpacks permitted; large bags searched; no beverage cups/containers permitted (except sealed water bottles); all entrance gates enforced equally."

Parental Notification Policy: The Dean of Students Office established a parental notification policy to become effective in fall 2001: Parents of incoming students under the age of 21 will be 1) notified of their child's alcohol/drug violations and 2) encouraged to discuss the implications.

Referral System for Troubled Students: A brochure, "How to Refer a Troubled Student," was developed and distributed to faculty and staff campus‑wide and lists 1) the steps for referring students exhibiting problematic behaviors and 2) sources of help on campus.

Intervention Program for Policy Violations: The Wellness Education Department developed and implemented the "TEAM" class for students referred by the offices of the Dean of Students and Residential Life for violating university alcohol policies. Further referrals for mental health counseling may result based on individual assessments,

Faculty Awareness: A brochure, "Faculty Can Influence Institutional Change Concerning Student Alcohol Use," was developed and distributed to all faculty and 1) explains the relationship between substance abuse and academic success and 2) highlights the faculty's role in reducing high-risk drinking among LSU students.

Faculty Incentive Grants: Two faculty units were selected through a competitive application process to receive "Faculty Incentive Grants" of $2,000 each for the infusion of alcohol environmental-change concepts into their curriculums.

Faculty Recognition Program: Faculty were nominated by graduating seniors to be recognized as members of the "Faculty Honor Roll" for their influential student/faculty involvement.

Baton Rouge Hospitality Resource Panel: This alliance of business associations, government agencies and community organizations is dedicated to developing safer communities and healthier businesses through the promotion of responsible hospitality practices.  The panel is now developing its management structure and strategic plan.

Baton Rouge Student Housing Council: This alliance of apartment managers and prevention agencies has been established to promote safer and healthier off-campus living environments for college students. It is developing membership standards and benefits, a model lease agreement, strategies to reduce and prevent high risk drinking and a conflict intervention system.

Policy Advocacy regarding Drinking at Public Events: In 2000, the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Council passed Resolution 392 designed to 1) establish alcohol-free family zones and 2) locate adequate non-alcoholic beverage stations contiguous to beer stations at all public parades, festivals and fairs. Policy advocacy packets were disseminated to local organizers of public events containing letters of support, assessment of legal risks and prevention strategies. The monitoring of public events and evaluation of the policy is planned.

Policy Advocacy concerning Alcohol-Licensees: Policy advocacy packets containing a letter and door stickers were mailed to all 900+ alcohol licensees within the Baton Rouge community to urge them to 1) enforce the legal drinking age law and 2) reduce price discounting advertising. Student Initiatives Student Initiatives: An alliance of individual students and student organizations/units has been established to encourage cultural change regarding high-risk drinking within existing peer groups. Organizations are publicly rewarded for establishing better social policies/practices and for improving the living and learning environment through community and campus involvement.  

Student Initiatives: An alliance of individual students and student organizations/units has been established to encourage cultural change regarding high-risk drinking within existing peer groups.  Organizations are publicly rewarded for establishing better social policies/practices and for improving the living and learning environment through community and campus involvement.

Chimes Street Clean-Up Project:  Students organized and implemented the third Chimes Street Clean-Up Project in a high-risk area bordering campus.  Students are planning a policy advocacy campaign to urge 1) businesses to comply with city ordinances and 2) governmental agencies to enforce city ordinances in that area. Long-term efforts are underway to attract more business prospects to the area.

Alternative Late-Night Campus Social Activities: A "Mini-Grant Program" was established for student organizations coupled with LSU departments to apply for funds to host alternative late-night social activities on campus. Seven student organizations implemented new late-night social activities during spring-summer 2001.

Social Norms Videotape: The Office of University Relations developed an MTV style video based on student testimonials regarding the second-hand effects of high-risk drinking. Targeted to potential and new students, the video is being used in freshman English classes (as a writing stimulus), residence halls, sororities and fraternities, student organization meetings, student leader training and recruiting events.

Promotion of the Campus Living-Learning Community: A student contest was established for the design of two posters to be distributed during fall 2001 titled "101 Things to Do Before You Leave ISO.'' The posters advocate specific substance‑free activities to enhance the living-learning community.