Today's Ypulse Youth Advisory Board post is from Bryan Spencer, a junior at Kansas University. As always, you can communicate directly with any member of the Ypulse Youth Advisory Board by emailing them at youthadvisoryboard at ypulse.com…or just leave a comment below.

How To Frame The Campus Discussion Around Drinking

Following a year where two University of Kansas students suffered alcohol-related deaths, concern over alcohol abuse is at an all time high for the Jayhawks. Incoming students are required to take an online course AlcoholEdu, an alcohol-education program comprised of two-parts, both online, that take about  2-3 hours total to complete. From the website:

AlcoholEdu for College relies on evidence-based prevention methods, learner-centered pedagogy, up-to-date science-based content, and a carefully customized user experience to inspire students to reflect on and consider changing their drinking. In this ninth version of the program, our team of curriculum and technology experts has designed a program that's both effective and entertaining.

When I asked some students what they thought about the new alcohol-education program, many responded they thought it was "too long," "stupid," or "missed the point." Stevan, a junior at KU, felt that the dangers of alcohol were not effectively conveyed as most incoming students do not take the course seriously and fail to realize a variety of scenarios where alcohol can endanger their lives.

Many agreed there was a serious problem with drunk-driving — such a common practice that I found 10 different students who could think of at least 5 friends who had driven when they had "too much" to drink. There was also consensus around the growing issue of women's safety. Whether it be walking home from a bar, class or Greek house, all students I spoke to agreed that women should never walk alone at night, especially if they are intoxicated. Students felt that neither of these problem areas were sufficiently addressed in the material.

Incidentally,  Sigma Phi Epsilon, one of the many Greek institutions that came under fire after the alcohol-related death of a student at a fraternity house (a student who had previously been kicked out of the dorms for repeated violation of alcohol policies without notice to his parents), annually hosts T.A.K.E. Self Defense Training, a program which teaches women safety, especially in situations that involve alcohol. All students agreed that although this course should not be mandatory, it had as much if not more value than an alcohol-education program for women.

Another part of the issue is a mixed message from the administration. Although Kansas University is officially a dry-campus, there are a few exceptions: Booth Family Hall of Athletics, Donor Suites, all Scholarship Suites, the Touchdown Club, home football game fundraisers, Memorial Stadium and designated parking areas, to name a few. While these names may not mean much to anyone outside of Jayhawk Nation, the word Donor, Suites and Club should be a tip off. Annual contribution to secure spots at most of these places are approximately $50,000 per year or more.

Meanwhile, a couple months ago, when Anheuser-Busch InBev introduced "Fan Cans" to different college towns (Bud Light cans that were colored the same as the school's colors), Associate Athletic Director Jim Marchiony and other representatives from the university spoke out against them. He cited they were against underage drinking and had requested that AB-Inbev stop supplying the product. It should be noted that as they are not officially licensed, KU wouldn't make any profit off of the "Fan Cans."  Then again, if you want a nice beer mug, champagne flute, or variety of licensed shot glasses, they're available at the official store of KU Athletics, with no restriction on age to purchase them.

In general, the students I spoke with agreed that underage drinking wasn't necessarily a problem, as long as the offender was over the age of 18 and effectively educated about the consequences. One student said that between the freedom of living on your own for the first time, widely available fake ID's as well as incredibly loose restrictions and poor training on checking ID's, alcohol is easily accessible to anyone who wants it. Another student, convicted as a minor in possession of alcohol and for using false identification, stated that his punishment was approximately a $250 dollar fine with no other repercussions. The cost of replacing his fake ID, which he did less than a week later? $50.

As Kansas University officials recognize that drinking is a growing problem regardless of age, they should work with the student body to see what will be most effective in saving and protecting lives. Even if this means cutting into their profit-margin.

About Bryan

Bryan is a lost soul. Not in a bad way, as it keeps things interesting in life. When he is not studying Marketing at the University of Kansas, Bryan is busy maneuvering his recently started fraternity, mentoring high school student's from his alma mater, and too often texting. While he tends to spread his talents to many fields, his forte may be in his ability to hold a conversation with just about anyone about the finer aspects of cuisine, both cooking and consuming. He does not hold quite as much writing experience as others on the board, having never taken an English class at the collegiate level. However, he still finds himself too opinionated to not express his thoughts on paper.

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Categorized under: Collegians, Youth Advisory Board

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