Before communication and public relations freshman Kyle McGuire took his first class at MSU, he was aware of the party mentality in East Lansing.
McGuire said the party scene was evident when he came to campus as a guest visiting older siblings, and even more so when he came as a student.
“I know a lot of kids up here who don’t drink, and I know a lot that do,” McGuire said. “I think it’s real popular, but people have their choice.”
McGuire’s perception is not far from reality. According to a recent study by the Center for the Advancement of Public Health at George Mason University, despite efforts by universities and community groups to deter it, binge drinking on and near college campuses remains a problem.
The study showed 52 percent of acquaintance-rape incidents in 2009 involved alcohol while only 42 percent did in 1994. Similarly, 58 percent of violent-behavior incidents involved alcohol in 2009 compared to 48 percent in 1994.
Becky Allen, an alcohol, tobacco and other drugs health educator with Olin Health Center, said although binge drinking still occurs in East Lansing, MSU has been able to decrease the average number of drinks consumed, the amount of academic harm associated with alcohol and the incidences of unprotected sex among students since 2000.
Allen said the American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment program surveys MSU students to track the rates of the incidents.
She attributes the success of these programs to the use of campaigns such as the “Social Norms” ducks, which are series of posters across campus that use cartoon ducks to promote responsible behavior while drinking.
“We certainly recognize that the harm associated with drinking has to do with the amount someone drinks, but that’s not the only feature,” Allen said. “A lot of it has to do with how fast someone drinks.”
Allen said Olin Health Center’s main concern is making sure students who legally can consume alcohol are responsible when they do so.
MSU police Sgt. Florene McGlothian-Taylor said MSU police works with Olin Health Center to promote harm reduction strategies.
The strategies are not limited to students abstaining from drinking entirely, but include tips for students such as eating before consuming alcohol and designating a driver.
“(We) try to educate the public and the students on the effect of alcohol,” McGlothian-Taylor said. “We encourage people not to binge drink.”
McGuire said most students chose to drink or not to drink based on their own convictions and not because of literature from the university.
“(The anti-drinking advertisements) have little to no effect,” McGuire said. “I think kids are going to do what they want to do.”
Support student media! Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.
