Final EssayPage | 2

Jordan Gizajgiza@linfield.edu5/12/14Final Essay

PROPOSED TOPIC: Excessive alcohol consumption and binge drinking among college students in the United States.PROPOSED QUESTION: Should the federal government create a new law that forces colleges and universities to increase students awareness of alcohol consumption and binge drinking by requiring an alcohol awareness course for first-year students?REVISED QUESTION: Should the federal government require first-year college students to enroll in an alcohol awareness course without changing the minimum legal drinking age (M.L.D.A) of 21?

Table of ContentsPreface3Abstract7Introduction8Thesis and Roadmap10The culture of alcohol in America11Reasons why college students are binge drinking13Colleges must input new techniques into curriculum16Conclusion18References 20

PrefaceAt the beginning of this semester I was aware that it was going to be one of the most rigorous semesters of my academic career. The rumors about the class from hell or also known as Information Gathering had me worried, but I wanted to look at it as a challenge I could take head on. Although I didnt take the most writing intensive classes throughout high school, writing has always been one of my stronger areas; however, this course took that to a completely different level. The writing classes I had taken before Info Gathering did not prepare me for the journey I was about to go through with this class. After receiving my first paper back in this class, I was disappointed in myself and couldnt help but think that this was going to be the worst semester of my life. But with the help of my professors, friends, and family, this class taught me a lot more than how to write. There was a reality check right from the start as I selected my topic and the research process began. The troubles I had at the beginning of my research on binge drinking was being able to properly identify which sources were general periodicals, scholarly articles, and so on. Once I started to understand what sources were which, then I had to figure out what sources were credible, and up to the standards of the professors. I received a six out of ten on my topic proposal and knew right then that my organization, and time management skills were going to need to improve if I wanted to get the most out of this class. I developed a system for recording my sources and one day Susan came over to where I was in the library and told me how impressed she was with what I was doing. That little encouragement drove me to start committing almost all of my time to Information Gathering and was a huge boost; this is when I started to recognize myself truly growing as a student. Each week that passed as we turned in main assertions, author analyses, and strengths and weaknesses, I was seeing improvements in my writing. The scores I was earning kept getting better, and this was the first time I saw my hard work as a student paying off; I couldnt have been happier. Then the most difficult part of this semester came as the compare and contrast assignment was due. Difficulties back at home led to me not giving my full attention to school-work, and the attention I was giving was not my best. I was coming up empty-handed while trying to find reliable sources, and was as frustrated as can be. Then one day I walked into Professor Thompsons office; we talked a little about writing, but our conversation consisted mostly about sports and my family. I didnt need to tell him any details about what was going, but I walked away from his office that day feeling refreshed and ready to get back to work. I pulled out the sheet I had used to find sources for assignments earlier in the semester, and then everything began clicking for me again. This was an important moment that put me back on the right path to finish the semester strong. The true test of this class came with the complete annotations. The first ten were more difficult than the last ten, but in every way possible this assignment took everything I had. The progress I had made during the semester helped me a lot, and the struggles I endured with the assignments before the annotations helped me persevere and complete the assignment to the best of my ability. After finishing all 20 completed annotations I know that Ive never felt so accomplished turning in an assignment for school.The interviews we conducted for our research helped me get out of my comfort zone, and talk to a professional about their perspective on college binge drinking. This process allowed me to improve my interviewing skills and gain confidence with each person I interviewed. I will be able to take this experience and build-off of the pros and cons to make sure Im getting the most out of my future interviews. From the start of the semester it was clear that I included a strong voice and opinion within my writing. It was difficult at first, but I was able to start implementing contrasting views and present the information I was gathering in a more balanced way. Grammar was not my strong suit by any means, and after my first paper was returned I thought that Professor Thompson had re-written my entire essay. I was never able to turn in a paper that had perfect grammar, however, I did see improvements in that area and I was limiting the number of unnecessary words to help strengthen my writing. Overall, the progress and amount of information I learned this semester will carry over into the rest of my courses while in school, as well as my career. This class was one of the most difficult things Ive ever gone through, but I couldnt be more thankful for all that I learned. First off, Id like to thank my parents. If it wasnt for them I wouldnt even be able to attend this institution and gain as much knowledge as I have. Their unconditional love and support has helped me so much while going through this class, and they were constant reminders that drove me to keep pushing no matter how bad I wanted to give up. This class drove me insane; sleep deprivation, constant worrying, and anxiety led to me not always be the best friend, roommate, or teammate. But through it all my friends stuck by my side and were always there when I needed a helping hand, or just extra push to make sure I was working to the best of my ability. For that, I greatly appreciate and give thanks to all of them.I also want to thank Sara Miller for all the time and effort she put forth toward making sure our references were correct and done in the right way. She was a great help numerous times throughout the semester. Lastly, I want to give thanks to Susan and Professor Thompson. You two were everything us students could have asked for while taking this class. The answers were never given to us, we had to work for everything, and you two were harsh at times. But I wouldnt have wanted it any other way. I will be taking a lot more from this class than proper academic writing and APA citations; and I only have you two to thank for that. When I felt confused, overwhelmed, and helpless, Susan you were there to drive me. When I felt broken, discouraged, and lost, Professor Thompson you were there to get me back on track. The relationships we have built I only hope means that I can come to you two when I need guidance during my remaining time at Linfield. From the bottom of my heart I can say that I wouldnt have been able to complete this course if it wasnt for you two, so thank you!

AbstractThere are a number of factors that lead to thousands of college students binge drinking each year. The attitude America has toward excessive alcohol consumption has evolved into a culture that accepts it as something college students will always do. This culture has led to youth growing up thinking that partying and drinking is the social norm for students in college, and has also affected the way institutions approach alcohol with its students. The media has had the biggest impact on encouraging this type of culture by how it advertises alcohol to the general public, and specifically youth. College students are trapped while in school because of this attitude toward alcohol, and it has led to college presidents sending mixed messages to students. By allowing events on campus to include alcohol, allowing the purchase of alcohol at sporting events, and also allowing alcohol at Greek life functions, institutions have contradicted their zero tolerance alcohol policies. Although there are online alcohol awareness courses for incoming freshman, institutions must input new techniques into its curriculum to educate students about the dangers of alcohol. In order to see the levels of binge drinking decrease, colleges must provide as many resources as possible to educate students about the dangers of alcohol. By including prevention advertisements, awareness programs, educating the community, and the federal government allowing institutions to teach moderation to first-year students at then end of a semester long course, it will cause the media to have less of an impact.

IntroductionThere isnt only one reason why the number of college students binge drinking continues to remain at a high number each year. Factors such as: The way parents raise their children around alcohol, the culture that has been tolerated by the American people about alcohol, and the media advertising of alcohol, has contributed to the epidemic of binge drinking by college students across the country. The tolerance level parents have with their children about consuming alcohol has a direct impact on the choices they make while at college. A document provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration explains that children who consume alcohol prior to the age of 19 are more likely to become heavy drinkers once in college (SAMHSA, 2011). Although there have been parents whove allowed their children to drink at home in order to teach moderation and have done so effectively, this approach can lead to serious consequences if not done properly. College presidents and administration have accepted the fact that students will binge drink, but they continue to enforce strict alcohol policies on their campuses. This tolerance by administration has come from America forming a culture where excessive alcohol consumption is thought of as a social norm. By having the youth grow up in a culture that tolerates alcohol, and having colleges or universities not tolerate it; college students only become more tempted to consume alcohol because its what they arent allowed to have (Califano, 2007). The targeted advertising of alcohol to youth has only fueled the acceptance of underage drinking by the people in America, and contributes to the two other factors I have previously discussed. The consumption of alcohol is shown as something that is cool in advertisements, movies, music, and television, which has had an extreme impact on youth (Boulard, 2005). When children grow up seeing the coolest celebrities or music stars partying and consuming alcohol, youth set that as the standard of what it takes to be popular among their peers. Boulard continues to explain how the multiple media outlets like social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, have created a culture where youth now boast about what they are doing with alcohol. This is the big difference between college students now, and college students from the 1960s and 1970s. However, as early as 1978, the Hollywood movie Animal House portrayed college as a place where only partying mattered, and academics were irrelevant (SAMHSA, 2011). These examples show that the media has been presenting college binge drinking as something that is okay, and over time has only increased the number of ways it can be looked at as a social norm.Colleges and universities continue to send the wrong messages to students by the way alcohol policies are being enforced. In an assessment of campus alcohol policies, there are institutions who continue to implement strict alcohol policies of no drinking for its students, while also allowing alcohol advertisements around its campus, fraternities, sororities, and the sale of alcohol at athletic events. This mixed message shows students that presidents and administration arent taking the policy theyre presenting seriously (Creemens, 2013). If colleges and universities want their alcohol policies to be taken seriously by students, then presidents and administrators cant allow alcohol to be advertised, or tolerated on their campuses. Until then, students will feel the need to rebel and disobey against the policies that are established. Alcohol awareness programs have seen success in making an impact on students, but the voluntary programs arent doing enough. The Red Watch Band movement at Stony Brook State University has had 140 students complete the training, and now more institutions are trying to make it available for their students (Johnson, 2009). The prevention program at SBSU consists of a four-hour training session that teaches students how to recognize and respond to the symptoms of a student who is suffering from alcohol poisoning; the urban myths about how to treat an acutely intoxicated student are clarified, and students become certified to give CPR if the situation presents itself. Although programs such as this are important to have, there needs to be more ways that institutions allow students to become educated about binge drinking. Adria Godon-Bynum (2014) explains that a student health center is beneficial for students who want to become more aware of specific topics, but because of the impacts that alcohol has had on student bodies, communities, and families; there needs to be a more proactive approach to educating students about what irresponsible drinking can lead to. Thesis and Roadmap In order to decrease the number of college students binge drinking and becoming acutely intoxicated, presidents and administration of colleges and universities need to be required to implement a more intensive educational approach within its curriculum. This approach could include an alcohol awareness course for first-year students that stresses prevention, exposes dangers, and teaches moderate alcohol consumption. Also, students in the class will become CPR certified. Although the federal government requires all citizens to be the age of 21 to consume alcohol, colleges and universities need to be allowed to conclude a semester long alcohol awareness course by teaching moderation to first-year students in a controlled setting without the government changing the MLDA of 21. This type of approach could be the most effective way to impact students and allow them to make smarter choices while around alcohol in college. This paper is going to examine the leading causes that tempt college students to binge drink even though colleges and universities have strict alcohol policies in-place. It will then explain that due to the American society accepting alcohol, it has led to colleges and universities sending mixed messages to its students. This paper will discuss the negative impact media advertising has had on youth and society, and how that impact has led college students down a path of destruction. There must be more done than in the past to make students aware and educated about the severity of binge drinking, and an educational approach is the most effective way to accomplish that. The current alcohol policies at colleges and universities are sending the wrong message or continue to see the same results. Institutions that blend a mixture of alcohol awareness, prevention, and moderation for first-year students, as well as eliminate the factors promoting alcohol, will begin to see positive results. The culture of alcohol in AmericaSince the media has portrayed alcohol as a necessity to be considered cool and popular while in college, parents are starting to take matters into their own hands. High school students before arriving to college are consuming more alcohol because parents want to make sure their children dont drink for the first time while at college. According to Stains (2013), high school students are also beginning to party more; he states You cant blame colleges for the fact that most teenagers, more than 70 percent of high school students, have experimented with alcohol (Pg. 3). Research shows that the first six weeks of a students freshman year is the most vulnerable time for heavy drinking and alcohol-related consequences. In one source, it states that parents are beginning to monitor their childrens alcohol consumption to try and teach them their limitations (Macleans, 2011). However, another way parents can accomplish this without providing alcohol to their children is by discussing with them that nothing positive comes out of excessive alcohol consumption. The NIAAA (2013) explains, that students who choose not to drink or only drink moderately, often do so because their parents discussed with them the consequences that come from drinking irresponsibly. The culture of alcohol in America has led to college presidents and administrators to accept that its students will binge drink, while also enforcing strict policies. The youth of America want to feel as if they stand out, so they tend to rebel against what rules are being enforced. The same kind of theory works for zero tolerance alcohol policies, since institutions wont allow students to drink, it only attracts them to the substance more. Gary Boulard states that zero tolerance alcohol programs, or the attempt to make college campuses alcohol free, tends to backfire on the administration (2005). The research on how many college students who binge drink shows this is a problem that must be taken seriously. A study provided by CASA states that nearly half of all full-time college students are considered to be binge drinkers, or have drank to excess (Califano, 2007). In 2008, there were 29,000 college students between the ages of 18 and 24 that were admitted to a hospital because of alcohol overdose (Stains, 2013). That was a 76 percent increase from 1999. Some institutions have tried a different approach, and actually provide students with alcohol. A university in Ontario promotes harm reduction rather than prohibition and encourages students to drink in commons rooms, and not behind closed doors (Kauri, 2014). The university limits the number of bottles that students can get in order to monitor the pace at which students are drinking, and says it has seen a decrease in the number of hospital visits by students compared to previous years. However, this argument by Kauri is countered by a study conducted in 2008 by the Center for Science in the Public Interest. The study included 747 college presidents, and showed that 34 percent of colleges banned alcohol for all students regardless of age. CSPI also states that the students attending these colleges with the ban consumed just as much alcohol as the students attending colleges without a ban (CSPI, 2008). Although CSPI explains that the number of students who are binge drinking is the same whether theres a ban or not; the approach of harm reduction still shows that there was a decrease in hospital visits caused by alcohol, and is a safer approach as long as the university confirms students dont have their own bottles of liquor in the rooms as well. Excessive alcohol consumption has a variety of consequences, especially to students personal health. The NIAAA provides statistics of consequences that college students will face this next year: over 1,825 students will die, almost 600,000 students will be injured, 696,000 assault cases will be filed, and there will be 97,000 sexual abuses charges (2013). All of those incidents will include someone who was under the influence of alcohol. The consequences of binge drinking are not only limited to the students who partake in this reckless behavior, but innocent students are being impacted as well. Virtually all college students will experience the effects of college binge drinking, whether they drink or not (NIAAA, 2013, pg. 1). Binge drinking will also lead to students having unprotected sex, experiencing academic decline, and drunk driving (SAMHSA, 2011). The consequences that come from binge drinking lead to an increasing number of students dropping out of college and failing to reach their full potential. Since America accepts the fact that college students will binge drink, parents are beginning to do everything they can to make sure their children enter college as educated as possible about the dangers of alcohol. This attitude by America has also had an impact on college presidents and administration and the way they implement their alcohol policies. The research on the number of students who are binge drinking is severe enough for college presidents to make the necessary changes so students can become more aware about the consequences alcohol presents. The reasons why college students are binge drinkingThe influence the media has on youth, and the mixed messages sent by college presidents and administration, are the main factors that lead to college students binge drinking. Once college students arrive at school they are being told one thing, but are seeing something different. In an interview with Rich Dennis (2014) he states that college presidents are implementing zero tolerance alcohol policies for students, but still allow certain events on campus to have alcohol included. This contradicts the message being sent to students and only encourages rebellious behavior. Institutions are providing alcohol to be purchased at sporting events, and also allow alcohol to be included at Greek life functions (Weiss, 2013). Institutions that allow the purchase of alcohol at sporting events, are more interested in making money than providing students with a healthy environment; these same universities are also supporting on-campus alcohol advertising of beer companies to its students. Research shows that students who attend colleges and universities with strong Greek systems and successful athletic programs, tend to consume more alcohol than students who attend other institutions. By doing this, colleges and universities are continuing to provide its students with reasons to drink, rather than lead them in a direction away from alcohol. The media is influencing youth and college students in a negative way. Since the number of options alcohol companies have to promote their products keeps growing, the idea of underage drinking being acceptable to society keeps growing as well. Alcohol advertisements are being directed toward a younger demographic more each year. Between 2001 and 2003 there were 90,000 more alcohol advertisements televised (Boulard, 2005). Also, Boulard explains that the alcohol industry is attracting a younger demographic by including computer games and premiums for downloading music on their websites. The number of bars that surround campuses and advertise to underage students is also becoming more a problem for colleges and universities (Dennis, 2014). Since this is becoming more of an issue, institutions need to start connecting with the local residential and business communities to help increase the awareness of underage advertising, which will decrease the number of underage students drinking. Another way institutions can impact underage drinking within the community is by having local bars increase the prices of alcohol to all college students, and eliminating low-cost drink specials. The media continues to use movies, television, social media sites, and many other media outlets to popularize the consumption of alcohol. This has led to youth and college students thinking that the best way to fit-in and make friends is by drinking. College students use social networking sites such as Instagram, and Snapchat to show off the amount of alcohol they have consumed, as well as to show theyre having a good time (Linfield college house, 2014). George Dowdall (2009) stated that all students have the choice of whether to drink or not, but those choices correlate to what those students think is cool and respectable among their peers. Dowdall is explaining that although no one is forcing the bottle of alcohol down a students throat, the media alters the decision a student makes when the situation presents itself. Due to the success media companies have had from alcohol advertising, companies are also incorporating alcohol into video games. For example, youth can go to the store and buy the classic drinking game of beer pong (Keegan, 2009). There also applications on smartphones that youth can download to play the drinking game as well. College students are becoming less likely to avoid the dangers of alcohol because of the impact from the media, and the message that college presidents and administration are promoting. Institutions are expecting students who grow up in a culture that accepts alcohol to not drink, while those institutions continue to allow the purchase of alcohol at on-campus events. This mixed message will keep resulting in students drinking irresponsibly because of the culture we live in. The influence of the media has been the leading cause to students thinking alcohol is the answer to becoming popular, and it has also led to society tolerating the amount of alcohol college students are drinking. Colleges must input new techniques into curriculumIn order for colleges and universities to see an improvement in the number of students binge drinking, new prevention strategies must be incorporated into alcohol policies. There are different types of prevention strategies available that institutions can input to have an impact on its students. A study examining how students perceived alcohol prevention advertisements showed that male and female students comprehend messages in different ways. There has to be different prevention techniques in order to have an effect on all students (Glassman, 2012). This means the preventative advertisements must include different shapes, colors, facts, etc. to impact both males and females. Colleges and universities need to include counseling services, substance abuse programs, and more, so students have as many resources as possible that can educate them about excessive alcohol consumption. Joyce Kinde discussed that the University of Colorado Boulder has implemented all of these techniques and the rates at which students are being impacted by college binge drinking get better each year (Kinde, 2014). Students on the UC Boulder campus also have the option to attend substance abuse therapy sessions at a clinic where citizens of the general public join also. Kinde explained that this allows students to build relationships with people who arent students and are going through the same issues as them. David Anderson discusses that colleges and universities need to have a more comprehensive approach to prevention, and must provide students with a variety of strategies; not just establish and enforce strict policies (Anderson, 2011). College presidents and administration must begin taking the right steps to start decreasing the number of students, families, and friends who are being impacted by binge drinking. Anderson (2011) explains there must be a call to action to encourage colleges and universities to address alcohol abuse more aggressively to its students. The current policies in-place are clearly not doing what it takes to provide a safe and healthy environment for students to learn. Teaching moderation, which allows students to become more aware of their limits is a more efficient way of education and prevention (Boulard, 2005). By accomplishing this in a controlled setting, students will realize at what number of drinks they begin to feel intoxicated, and can monitor how they react to the alcohol. This type of environment, compared to a party where students quickly consume an excessive amount of alcohol, will have far better outcomes. The next step colleges and universities must take is a more intensive campus community-level intervention, as well as interventions targeted at the general public (Saltz, 2011). The better relationship institutions can build with the citizens in the community, the healthier of an environment its students will be around. A study by Drew Saylor (2011) showed that the approach of teaching moderation has been considered, but it is against the law for minors to consume alcohol. By dropping the legal drinking age of 21 to 18, professionals explain that it would cause more of a negative impact on youth than the current law. This is why the federal government needs to allow colleges and universities to teach moderation to first-year students without changing the MLDA of 21; the law would still be enforced on all citizens who are caught under the influence of alcohol and not the age of 21. Students would also be given the opportunity to see how much alcohol they can consume before feeling impaired, so while at a party on the weekend students can plan ahead and make better decisions to ensure their safety.Institutions need to begin taking a more serious approach to the message college students are being sent. The current alcohol policies have not been successful and Ive provided the research to show that college binge drinking is a severe problem. The preventative strategies colleges and universities can incorporate to start impacting students in a positive way are out there, but the presidents and administration must be willing to give extra effort to be sure the strategies are effective. The theory of teaching moderation to students could be the most beneficial strategy out there, however, the federal government would need to allow institutions to provide alcohol for minors without changing the MLDA of 21. ConclusionThe number of resources available to educate students about the dangers of alcohol should be something institutions are constantly attempting to increase (Kinde, 2014). By including prevention advertisements rather than alcohol advertisements, counseling services, and substance abuse programs, the influence of the media will become less of an impact on students. Institutions can also target the community as another way to control the levels of binge drinking by students (Saltz, 2011). The stronger relationships an institution has with local businesses and the general public, the safer its students will be. By incorporating a semester long alcohol awareness course for first-year students that covers a variety of topics, and teaches students how to drink moderately; institutions only need the approval of the federal government to implement what some professionals think is the most effective prevention program yet. This is why colleges and universities should have the right to teach moderation at the end of the course after students have been taught the necessary information. There isnt only one reason why thousands of college students face the consequences of binge drinking each year, its multiple factors that have led to this epidemic. However, by implementing these different prevention strategies, and giving a little extra effort, institutions would provide its students with the safest, and healthiest learning environment possible. This could have an extreme impact on improving students college experience, and the culture of alcohol in America can begin changing.

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