Letter to the Editor: Preconceptions about drinking not always true
Wellness Resource Center questions college drinking stereotypes.
Published July 8, 2009
One out of five Mizzou students chooses not to drink at all. Contrary to what many believe, being a college student doesn't mean drinking all the time. There are so many ways to have fun around campus and be involved without drinking or feeling like you have to drink to fit in. From the media to movies, to television and news headlines, it is not uncommon to see college students placed in the role as the "drinker." This portrayal is something we have all seen before, but does it really provide an accurate account of what college life is really all about?
The Wellness Resource Center is trying to share the accurate picture of student alcohol consumption at Mizzou, with the expectation that doing so (combined with our comprehensive approach) will result in a larger number of students drinking moderately or abstaining, and a smaller number of students making high-risk choices. This type of strategy, called social norming, when implemented appropriately, has been successful at a number of colleges and universities across the country.
In fact, much of the research done by the Wellness Resource Center supports the idea that most MU students continue to make smart, healthy and safe choices concerning their drinking behaviors. According to the WRC's annual Wellness Survey conducted every November, the following results illustrate the positive choices Mizzou students are making.
19.8 percent of MU students do not drink at all.
61.0 percent of MU students do not drink Sunday through Thursday.
60 percent of MU students have less than four drinks per week.
MU students spend more time studying (70.1 percent), surfing the web (65.8 percent), watching TV (50.7 percent) and exercising (49.2 percent) than partying (46.2 percent).
Additionally most MU students lose interest in someone if they drink to the point of intoxication. As a matter of fact, 78 percent of MU students would prefer to kiss someone who is not drunk.
It is also a widely held misconception that drinking is a choice made by all Greek students. Greek social functions and events have specific considerations, which make the choice to not drink easy for students who attend these events.
"Whenever a Greek chapter hosts an event there are several alternatives for students who choose not to drink. There is food, sodas and several non-alcoholic beverages," Director of Greek Life and Leadership Janna Basler said. "It is the responsibility of either the third party establishment or the sponsoring chapters to ensure that there is substantial amount of food and non-alcoholic beverages for the duration of the event."
Seventy-nine percent chose not to drink if they had academic obligations the next day. Next time you feel like you are the only one not drinking, take a look around!
(All stats above taken from the 2008 Wellness Survey, N = 1,148)