The Harvard School of Public Health released its annual survey last month analyzing what causes college students to begin binge drinking. The results showed alcohol awareness education has improved, but the drinking environment for students is getting much worse, according to Nancy Mathews, project director of the Campus-Community Coalition for Change at LSU.
“This is very important because students are being harmed by alcohol use,” said Nancy. “Even students not drinking can be harmed by alcohol users because of the environment.”
Nancy said some statistics are indicating a negative trend.
“Nationwide and at LSU, there is an increase in students binge-drinking and a perception that under-aged drinking is not being enforced,” Nancy said.
Ashley Mathews, a communication disorders junior, said students under 21 can go to most bars and buy drinks.
“If not, they can find someone over 21 to buy drinks for them,” she said.
Nancy said more problems come from off-campus parties than bars and clubs.
“The price and accessibility of alcoholic beverages also add to the problem,” Nancy said. “In general, students believe it is easy to get served at bars without having IDs checked. Convenience stores, parties and apartment complexes are problems also.”
“The study showed alcohol awareness education is not enough to stop excessive drinking,” Nancy said. “What encourages excessive drinking is the environment, particularly off-campus,” she added.
Logan Fisher, an English sophomore, said he does not think education about alcohol is effective for college students.
“Once they get into drinking before college, education won’t stop them,” he said.
Fisher also disagrees with the methods of alcohol education.
“The current way we educate them may scare students, as opposed to educating them,” Fisher said. “They put an evil face on alcohol, but don’t explain why.”
Nancy said many freshmen who drink also perceive it is unlikely they will get caught because they see a lack of enforcement.
Fisher agreed.
“In personal experience, I haven’t seen any consequences toward underage drinking,” Fisher said.
Nancy said there is less drinking in residence halls on campus.
Ross Lawrence, a graphic design sophomore, said he sees more drinking around the Tigerland area and bars. He said he does not see much on-campus drinking.
Nancy is pleased there is less drinking on campus, but she said there is more work to be done.
“Although we’ve made strides on campus, it’s clear LSU and other universities need to increase efforts with community partners to improve the off-campus environment,” Nancy said. “Most universities nationwide are doing the same things because we see the problems have increased in society, and particularly among college students.”
“I think alcohol is a major problem, but it’s not the only one,” Lawrence said. Lawrence said drugs also cause problems for students.
The national study was conducted by a representative sample. Three hundred seventy-two randomly chosen LSU undergraduate students participated.
Of the non-binge drinkers surveyed nationally, 92 percent supported alcohol-free dorms on campus, 97 percent thought alcohol policies should be more clear and 78 percent thought authorities should crack down on underage drinking, the study said.
Each university had a random list of names sent to Harvard for the study. At LSU, the Budget and Planning Office sent names to the Harvard School of Public Health. Harvard e-mailed students selected, and the students voluntarily responded.