High-risk drinking (HRD) is a public health priority on college campuses in order to decrease harm to individuals who engage in HRD, as well as others in their presence. We posit an underexplored impact of campus HRD culture: the exposure of marginalized students to instances of bias perpetrated by those under the influence. Therefore, our focus…

The recent Amethyst Initiative argues that a minimum legal drinking age (MLDA) of 21 has created a culture of heavy alcohol use on college campuses by making drinking clandestine and extreme. This group and others argue that lowering the MLDA will reduce the problem of "binge drinking" on college campuses. However, such a policy change would…

The author argues that referral of alcohol-abusing college students to off-campus treatment services, although necessary for some, is not optimal for many. He advocates the implementation of comprehensive on-campus services for students committed to recovery in order to optimize their treatment while allowing them to remain in school and work…

Despite conventional wisdom, the alcohol problem colleges face is not mainly about high-risk drinkers, and the solution is not about intervening with them alone. Yet studies show that, despite a handful of solid efforts in the realm of primary prevention, most colleges take a group-think approach to identifying and intervening with high-risk…

Proposes that psychosocial needs to participate in rites of passage rituals are normal and necessary as college students move from adolescence to adulthood and that, lacking sanctioned alternatives, college students frequently use alcohol for rites of passage rituals. Suggests that university officials should encourage student groups to design and…

The initial planning of the first National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week is described, the formation of an official student group (BACCHUS) to confront the problem of alcohol abuse is noted, and the history of BACCHUS and of National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week is tracked. The controversy over the involvement of the alcoholic beverage…

Educators and researchers strive to use terms that reflect a replicable measure of behavior. A term commonly used to describe drinking of a problematic nature is "binge drinking". Binge drinking defines behavior by a number of drinks of an alcoholic beverage consumed in a space of time. The authors argue that the term does not describe drinking…

The drinking behaviors of college students have gained national attention over the past several years. Deemed by public health researchers as "binge drinking," the issue has created a distinct set of texts under the "public health" frame of discourse that ultimately guides public policy. Using J.R. Gusfield's (1996) theory of…

Alcohol use and membership in the academic community traditionally have been linked to the dual notions of privilege and freedom. Four basic habits that colleges need to adopt are identified: avoid hypocrisy, resist denial, keep authority flexible, and re-think privilege. (MLW)

According to this author, the single greatest threat to the public trust in higher education is alcohol. Specifically, it is high-risk drinking among college students and the lack of engagement by those who can help solve the problem. He contends that, for too many students, college is no longer about preparing for leadership roles and productive…

Although most institutions have had to deal with alcohol-related problems, many higher education leaders are unfamiliar with successful responses--and especially with proactive strategies. Few trustees and senior administrators have found a successful formula for dealing with alcohol on campus, and there are many reasons why. This article aims to…

College students drink more alcohol than the general population, and the nature of college life is a strong influence on students' drinking behavior. Reduction in student drinking behavior depends not only on establishment and enforcement of rules but also on education about the principles behind the policies. (MSE)

Explores the results of a national survey on college students' alcohol consumption. Features an interview with the author of the study and excerpts taken from online interviews of students and staff at various college campuses. Also outlines a 12-step program for addressing the drinking problem on campuses. (RJM)

Argues that capturing the attention of college and university presidents regarding alcohol and other drug use requires an understanding of the presidents' public role and the relationship of prevention to the mission of an institution. Claims that leaders in student development must link prevention to their presidents' agendas. (Includes an…

College students, educators, staff, and administrators often adjust, with resignation, to destructive drinking behaviors. Changing their discomfort to dismay could motivate change. The paper discusses how to reshape the environment of norms, expectations, and social context to construct a community of caring to reduce the prevalence of problem…