Alcohol and college life

Alcohol has been a part of college life throughout the ages. Students are affected either directly by their own alcohol use or indirectly through the alcohol use of those around them. Some see alcohol use at college as a rite of passage. However, alcohol is only one part of the college experience and it does not need to be a significant part. If, when and how you choose to use alcohol are up to you.

St. Norbert College randomly administered the Core Survey of drug and alcohol use to over 730 students in February 2002. While the complete findings of this survey are available through the Counseling Center, the following results show that many students are making healthy choices about alcohol:

• 63% of St. Norbert students drink once a week or less, or not at all (73% females, 49% males)
• Over 75% of St. Norbert students say that daily drinking is risky
• 70% of St. Norbert students refused a drink in the past month

Myths and facts about alcohol

Myth: "I'm more fun when I am drunk."
Reality: Have you ever seen yourself drunk? People who are drunk can seem pretty obnoxious to those who are sober or who are drinking responsibly. A student who is stumbling around, slurring words, spilling drinks and generally doing things that he/she would never do sober is really not that funny.

Myth: "Everyone drinks at parties so they can relax. I can't go to a party and not drink alcohol."
Reality: Try this experiment: Set a goal to attend a party and not drink alcohol. Then you can truly observe how many others are sober or are drinking responsibly. While there usually are a few people who get totally trashed at a party, it probably isn't as many as you think. Beside, you will have the benefit the next day of being hangover free.

Myth: "There is nothing else to do at St. Norbert College besides drink."
Reality: Surprisingly enough, students at colleges all over the nation make similar comments. Even those at larger and more urban universities tend to fall back on this belief. The reality is that there are things to do that do not involve alcohol and there are many non-drinking students with whom to do those things with. Explore options with your friends, your residence hall staff or call the Leadership, Service and Involvement office at (920) 403-4023 for more ideas.

Myth: "Partying hard on the weekends does not affect my grades."
Reality: While this may be true for some students, most people find that physical effects of a hangover do interfere with weekend study time. Statistics show that just one night of heavy drinking can impair your ability to think abstractly for up to 30 days. Even the 2002 Core Survey statistics show the connection between the number of drinks per week and a student's grade point average. St. Norbert students who report an A average consume an average of 6 drinks per week. Students who report a D average consume an average of twenty drinks per week. Also, 48% of non-binge drinkers report an A average, whereas only 24% of frequent high-risk drinkers can make that claim.

Second-hand effects of alcohol

Second-hand effects of alcohol encompass the ways in which a student's alcohol use affects those around him or her. These effects can include disrupting the study and/or sleep time of others, damaging personal and/or residence hall property and damaging friendships as a result of irresponsible behaviors induced by alcohol.

Other second-hand effects of alcohol could include having to take care of a drunken roommate/friend, having to endure physical/mental insults and/or unwanted sexual advances from an intoxicated student.

Responsible use of alcohol

Underage drinking (under the age of 21) is illegal according to Wisconsin state law. St. Norbert College supports this law with its alcohol policy. More information about this policy and St. Norbert College alcohol sanctions can be found in the student handbook.

No matter what your age, if you choose to drink, you can drink safely and responsibly. The biggest key is to formulate a plan of how much you will drink in a set amount of time. Once you start drinking, your judgment can quickly become impaired. Decide ahead of time how much you can drink safely and in what amount of time. Keep in mind your body weight, how recently and what you have eaten, if you are tired or feeling ill and if you are taking any medication or drug.

Also remember that women need to drink more slowly than men because:

1. Their greater percentage of body fat causes them to burn alcohol more slowly than men
2. Studies show that alcohol dehydrogenase, the stomach enzyme that breaks down alcohol, is 70-80% less active in women than in men (Brain/Mind Bulletin, February 1990, page 2).

Other drugs

According to the 2002 Core Survey of alcohol and other drug use:

• 87% of SNC students do not use marijuana*
• 96% of SNC students do not use other illegal drugs*

*Based on the previous 30 days

St. Norbert College does not condone the use of marijuana, narcotics, club drugs (i.e. Ecstasy) or other illegal substances/drugs. Violations of the drug policy are taken very seriously. The first offense will automatically place a student on disciplinary probation. Dismissal will certainly be considered for first offenses when sanctions are determined. The student's behavioral record will also be taken into consideration. Use of illegal substances/drugs will be addressed through the College conduct process regardless if the alleged violation occurred on-campus or off-campus, whether the student is a user or a provider.

If you think that you or someone you care about may have a problem with alcohol, the Counseling Center can help. Please call for more information or to schedule a confidential appointment with a counselor.

An AA meeting is held every Monday at 5:30 p.m. at St. Norbert College in the Pennings Activity Center, room 202.

Alcohol Screening Inventory

Facts on Tap

Had Enough

The Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse and Violence Prevention

Think alcohol is a big issue at St. Norbert College, or that the College makes alcohol too big an issue? Want your opinion to be heard? Consider joining the Alcohol Task Force. Anyone is welcome! Contact the Counseling Center for more information.