The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #58517

Rebecca J. Mitchell, MPH, Alcohol Epidemiology Program, University of Minnesota, Suite 300, 1300 S. 2nd St., Minneapolis, MN 55454-1015, 612-625-8349, Mitchell@epi.umn.edu and Traci L. Toomey, MPH, PhD, Division of Epidemiology, University of Minnesota, 1300 S. 2nd St, Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55454.

Prevalence of alcohol use and related problems on college campuses is of considerable public concern. Not only do many college students die from alcohol-related unintentional injuries each year, but they also experience numerous problems associated with alcohol use, including unprotected sex, sexual assault, fights, traffic crashes and vandalism. While research has found that state and local alcohol policies can minimize opportunities for people to use alcohol, reduce consumption, and thereby reduce alcohol-related problems, little is known about the prevalence of comprehensive alcohol policies on college and university campuses. We conducted a telephone survey with an administrator at each 4-year college or university in Minnesota and Wisconsin to assess quantity and types of alcohol policies present at each school. The survey includes questions about strategies to limit social and commercial access to alcohol by students, as well as when, where and how alcohol is distributed and consumed on and around campus. We also collected written alcohol policies for each institution to serve as a gold standard for campus policy. We present frequency and type of alcohol policies present on college campuses in two states, level of administrator knowledge of campus alcohol policies, as well as correlations between school characteristics and policies.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to:
• Describe alcohol policies that may be effective in college settings
• Identify alcohol policies currently in place at colleges and universities in MN and WI
• Assess possible relationships between campus characteristics and alcohol policies in college settings.

Keywords: Alcohol, College Students

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.