A university task force has completed a comprehensive
look into alcohol use among Johns Hopkins undergraduates at
Homewood, and developed a series of recommendations that
seeks to reduce the incidences of alcohol abuse and its
often detrimental outcomes.
With student alcohol use an increasingly critical
issue facing colleges nationwide, the university wanted to
closely examine its own practices and determine where
efforts can be redoubled to address an issue that plays a
role in the majority of nonacademic discipline incidents
and contributes to poor academic performance.
Susan Boswell, dean of student life, chaired the
20-member task force that included faculty, staff and
students. The group, which worked intensely throughout the
summer, had the broad charge to review current literature
on alcohol abuse, binge drinking and underage drinking on
college campuses and to conduct a comprehensive analysis of
university protocols, policies and practices that relate to
alcohol use. Specifically, the task force examined
education initiatives, disciplinary violations, health
center and counseling center referrals, residence hall
procedures and communication with students and parents.
Binge drinking is commonly defined as five or more
drinks in a row for men and four or more drinks in a row
for women in a two-hour period.
"We wanted to take the opportunity to look at this
issue of alcohol use in depth — to define the
problem, look at things nationally and find out what is
working and what isn't," Boswell said. "The majority of our
students who choose to drink are responsible about their
use of alcohol, but there is a significant number of
students who aren't. It's not much different here than it
is nationwide, but what might be a little different is that
because of the intensity of the curriculum here at Johns
Hopkins, so at times goes the intensity of the
socializing."
Boswell said that while the task force found that many
proactive policies were already in place at JHU, it became
clear that the university needed to revamp its overall
efforts.
The task force's final report, released earlier this
month, recommends the strengthening of sanctions pertaining
to the student conduct code, the enhancement of
educational/outreach efforts aimed at responsible drinking
and the creation of more on-campus activities designed to
attract a broad range of students.
Other recommendations include the development of a
party registration protocol for on-campus and off-campus
events sponsored by recognized student organizations; new
educational approaches, such as placing around campus
mannequins wearing shirts with responsible-drinking
slogans; and the establishment of a board of students and
staff to oversee peer education programs, identify
volunteers to remain sober at parties, sponsor an alcohol
management program and recruit students to share their
stories of overcoming alcohol abuse.
In addition, the task force recommended that resident
advisers visit each student room during the first few weeks
of classes and spend time talking about alcohol misuse and
the potential health, social and disciplinary
consequences.
The task force's review of historical disciplinary
data revealed an often too lenient counseling-based system
that sometimes allowed for multiple incidents without a
significant response, such as a fine or suspension.
In response, a new "three-strike system" has been
implemented this fall. This system applies not only to
alcohol misuse but to any other violation of the Student
Conduct Code. A first violation will result in a written
warning and any other educational/therapeutic intervention
deemed appropriate. A second violation will result in a
fine and parental notification. A third violation during a
12-month period will result in suspension from the
university.
Previously, there was no specific standard for
parental notification. Now, parents will be notified of any
second disciplinary violation occurring within a 12-month
period and clearly told of the ramifications of a third
violation.
"Where we really felt we could do more was getting
parents to be partners in this effort to curb alcohol
abuse," Boswell said. "We traditionally have contacted
parents when something of a major nature occurred, but
chronic things and low-level incidents didn't reach them.
With the new code in place, it is our hope that problems
will not be allowed to escalate."
Boswell said that the task force dismissed the
creation of a "dry campus" but rather recommended an
increase in the number of on-campus events where alcohol
use was permitted, albeit strictly regulated and
monitored.
"We are of the mind that on-campus events where
alcohol is served are typically safer, as we can better
control the situation, and students do not have to get
behind the wheel of a car," Boswell said. "In the ideal
world, everyone who comes here will be responsible, and if
they do drink, do so within reasonable limits. What still
happens too frequently, however, is drinking for the sole
purpose of getting drunk, and that is what worries us the
most."
Boswell said that the task force will continue to meet
on a monthly basis to monitor the effectiveness of the
initiatives and programs that have been put in place and to
be positioned to make new recommendations as
appropriate.
For the full report, go to
www.jhu.edu/news_info/reports/alcohol.html.