Health Education

Questions & Answers About Alcohol

POLICIES

Does the institution have established policies regarding alcohol use by students?
The Reynolda Campus of Wake Forest University has an established Student Alcoholic Beverage Policy.

What is the policy?
The policy, which is intended to be equitable and realistic, was adapted to the special circumstances and needs of Wake Forest University within the constraints of federal and North Carolina statutes, and local law. The minimum age for the legal purchase and possession of alcoholic beverages in the state of North Carolina is twenty-one. The university supports the responsibility of the state and federal governments with regard to the welfare of their citizens and, accordingly, supports this law in all university social regulations. Copies of the entire policy are available in the Office of Residence Life and Housing, the Student Government Office, and the Office of Student Development in the Benson University Center. Abridged copies of the policy are also available upon request. There is a supplement to the University Alcohol Policy that outlines the regulation of organizational conduct when alcohol is served.

When was the alcohol policy last revised?
The University Student Alcohol Policy is reviewed regularly. Major revisions were last made to the policy during spring 2001.

Were students involved in the drafting of policies?
Students at Wake Forest University have many opportunities to participate in the formation and development of policies and programs. The Student Alcoholic Beverage Policy was created by the Student Life Committee of the University. This committee is composed of three students, three staff members and three faculty members. All significant changes to the policy must also go through the Student Life Committee. During the most recent revision of the Alcohol Policy, student members of the Alcohol Task Force were active participants. Also, student focus groups helped to simplify complex and unnecessary language in the policy. At the same time, there are some areas where student involvement is not appropriate. The development of a policy related to as controversial and potentially divisive a topic as alcohol is one such area. It is the responsibility of the administration to develop and implement policies that protect students.

How is the policy communicated to students?
The University Student Alcohol Policy (without appendices) is communicated to students in the Student Handbook, which is provided to every student each year. Students are responsible for knowing all the information contained in the handbook. The remainder of the policy deals with expectations for student groups and organizations conducting programs and events where alcohol is present and/or provided. This information is shared at the beginning of each semester (before ANY parties are permitted) with each student club and organization that plans parties where alcohol is present. Organizations are required to attend and may not hold parties until or unless their leadership has been fully apprised of the rules, regulations and responsibilities. The Student Alcohol Policy is also available online.

Does the policy apply to faculty, staff and alumni?
Currently, there is no specific alcohol policy that applies to faculty, staff, and alumni. Employees of Wake Forest University must adhere to the Guidelines for a Drug-Free Workplace. It is the University's expectation that faculty and staff will remain conscientious in terms of responsible alcohol use.

CURRENT DATA ON ALCOHOL USE

Does Wake Forest administer its own routine, periodic studies of student alcohol and drug use? What percentage of its students would the institution say are heavy drinkers or "binge drinkers" (i.e. students who have five or more drinks at one sitting in the past two weeks)?
Wake Forest University administers the CORE Alcohol and Drug survey, which measures reported alcohol and drug use, as well as participants' perceptions of use, twice annually. The survey is administered to first-year students during orientation and in the spring semester to upperclass students. Results from the surveys indicate that approximately 52-60% of upperclass students and 38-44% of first-year students report binge drinking.

Did or does the institution participate in other studies (for example, the Weschler/Harvard School of Public Health Survey or the CORE Survey sponsored by the United States Department of Education?
Refer to the answer to the previous question.

What are the findings of these studies?

How does this institution compare with its peers (those it regularly compares itself to for other purposes)?
We have no specific data that tells us how Wake Forest compares with its peers.

PREVENTION EDUCATION

Does the institution offer prevention education targeted at reducing alcohol abuse?
Yes. There are a number of mandated programs for students including: orientation sessions on alcohol abuse, HIV, STD's, and rape; alcohol education sessions for students referred through the judicial system and student health service; alcohol education for student leaders (i.e. ö Resident Assistants, student organization leaders, peer health educators, Greeks); OCTAA (On Campus Talking About Alcohol); special awareness activities (i.e. ö awareness weeks, poster campaigns, Safe Break, newspaper articles); substance-free housing; and student organizations dedicated to promoting low-risk choices regarding substance use.

How are the issues of prevention and binge drinking addressed in the orientation program for incoming students and their parents?
Wake Forest University mandates attendance for all first-year students at programs regarding alcohol, STD's and rape prevention. The Alcohol Task Force offers a session for parents to candidly discuss alcohol use and abuse on campus.

Are prevention efforts integrated into academic offerings? How?
Yes, a portion of HES 100 (mandatory health class) is dedicated to alcohol and substance abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, and rape prevention.

Does Wake Forest evaluate the effectiveness of its prevention education programs? How?
Yes. Evaluations are completed by participants after educational and outreach programs. Usage patterns are tracked by following the results of the CORE Alcohol and Drug Survey.

Are students involved in the development, delivery and evaluation of the programs? How?
Yes. Students interested in promoting healthy living are trained to become Peer Health Educators through HES 201 and 202. These students provide workshops for student organizations on a variety of health issues including substance abuse. Other student organizations which focus on abstinence and/or low-risk drinking include EZ Rides (taxi service) and SHIFT (Students Housed in Substance Free Theme).

Do the programs include attention to other issues, including stress, sexual health, violence reduction and human dignity?
Yes. The University Counseling Center, Student Health Service, and Health Education office offer programs in these areas. Many student groups also address these issues (i.e. ö Peer Health Educators, PREPARE -- a rape awareness and education group, and fraternities and sororities).

What importance does Wake Forest attach to prevention? How much money does it spend on prevention education?
The University is committed to preventing abusive drinking by students. Funding for the prevention programs comes directly from the judicial fines students incur for violations of the alcohol policy.

CAMPUS CLIMATE

What percentage of all classes offered are offered on Fridays? What percentage of freshmen will be enrolled in classes that meet on Fridays?
In general, classes at Wake Forest are offered either on Monday-Wednesday- Friday (2/3) or Tuesday-Thursday (1/3). Classes offered on Tuesday-Thursday are often upper-level classes. Most freshmen take classes that are offered on Fridays. Classes that are scheduled for Fridays do meet on Fridays.

Are on-campus recreational and other activities offered on a regular basis to encourage students to stay on campus at night?
The Fitness Center in the Benson University Center has been open from Sunday öThursday until 10:00 p.m., Friday until 7:00 p.m. and Saturday until 6:00 p.m. This fitness center will close in the fall when a new fitness center will open -- for all students, faculty and staff ö in the Student Athlete Enhancement Center. Hours in the new fitness center have not yet been established, but they will be similar to hours in the old fitness center. There are a variety of activities offered throughout the year from films to athletic events to Student Union events, the events of over 130 clubs and organizations, Greek events, etc. Intramural sports activities run until after 11:00 pm several nights per week.

Is alcohol use promoted and/or permitted at any campus events? Which ones?
Alcohol use is permitted at campus events. Most parties where alcohol is served are sponsored by campus fraternities. Occasionally, other clubs and organizations sponsor events where alcohol is served.

How often does Wake Forest sponsor on-campus events (e.g., bands, comedians and movies; charity events; dances; poetry/fiction readings)? On average, how many students can be accommodated at these events?
Films are offered frequently in the 285-seat Pugh Auditorium. Monday night football and other sports events are also shown on the large screen TV in Shorty's. Student Union offers a variety of events throughout the year. Major events are periodic with smaller events occurring more frequently. On average, excluding films, Student Union produces two ö three events per week. Venue location determines capacity. On average, capacity at Student Union events is 200. Again, other clubs and organizations are active and regularly schedule events such as poetry readings, forums, and various get-togethers. There are many cultural activities and lectures on campus also.

Is there a bar on campus that is specifically dedicated to students and others over 21?
Yes. Shorty's opened in February 1997. During the day Shorty's serves Starbuck's coffee and related items. In the evening, Shorty's serves beer, in addition to coffee and soft drinks. Students are carefully carded before alcohol service is permitted. Shorty's, which is located in the Benson Center and named for a hang-out on the old Wake Forest campus, is operated by ARAMARK, the campus food service.

Is alcohol permitted and/or sold at athletic contests and events sponsored by the institution?
Alcohol is not sold at athletic contests and events sponsored by Wake Forest University. Alcohol is not permitted through the gates at Groves Stadium; however, tailgating, which includes the consumption of alcohol, commonly occurs in the parking lots just outside of the stadium gates. Tailgaters must be aware of city ordinances related to alcohol use. This information is made available on campus prior to the first football game in the fall semester. Alcohol is not sold or permitted at Wake Forest sports events held at the Joel Coliseum.

Is alcohol sold at on-campus sporting events?
Alcohol is not sold or permitted at on-campus sporting events.

Are there alcohol-free residences available as a housing option? How many students select this option?
Yes, Wake Forest has a substance-free residence hall option available for freshmen and upperclass students. Usually about 200 freshmen opt for this type of living environment. Approximately 60 - 90 upperclass students choose to live in substance-free housing. Students living in this environment must sign a special covenant. Freshmen apply for the substance-free option on a first come, first served basis, but they must also submit a statement of interest with their application. The upperclass option is available as a theme program. They are a self-initiated/self-selected group that applies via the theme house process during housing sign-up in the spring semester.

Is the Greek system (fraternities/sororities) an important aspect of campus life? What percentage of students are active members? Are first-year students permitted to rush? Are individual chapters evaluated periodically for safety, compliance with rules, etc. Are those reviews available for parents to see? What strategies are utilized to assure that Greek-sponsored social events do not relate in underage drinking or alcohol abuse?
Approximately 40% of Wake Forest students are members of Greek letter organizations. There are 13 fraternities and 9 sororities on campus. Many independent students believe that the University is dominated by the "Greek scene." A common student perception on campus is that it is difficult to find a social life for yourself if you are not Greek.

First-year students are permitted to participate in recruitment activities during second semester if they are full-time students and have a 2.0 GPA for fall semester (no exceptions permitted). [Note:
Campus sororities may require a 2.2 GPA or higher for spring 2002
recruitment.]

Individual chapters are evaluated by the Student Life Committee on a regular basis (three-year cycle). Groups with poor evaluations are given a period of time in which they must turn the situation around. Failure to make improvements may result in the loss of lounge space or other sanctions. Chapters are also evaluated during and after each party that they sponsor. Compliance advisors (graduate students) check parties 3 ö 5 times during the course of the event. In cases of failure to comply with rules and procedures, parties may be closed down immediately (serious health and safety violations) or the chapter may be given a limited amount of time to correct the problem.

These evaluations are not available to parents.

There are numerous strategies utilized to assure that student social events do not involve underage drinking and/or alcohol abuse. There is a student run, operated, and supervised party management program that includes compliance advisors, administrative oversight and sober party hosts. In some cases, alcohol is served by third-party bartenders. Unfortunately, all of these measures have not eliminated the problems of underage drinking and alcohol abuse. Alcohol abuse is compounded by the fact that many students "front-load" in their rooms prior to arriving at parties and events.

Is alcohol advertising featured in any campus publications? Does the institution permit alcohol-industry sponsorship of of campus activities and events?
Yes. The student newspaper accepts alcohol advertising. Local bars and other nightspots also advertise frequently on campus. Alcohol-industry sponsorship of campus events is not permitted unless the focus of the event/sponsorship is responsible drinking and/or against drunk driving.

What is the institution's reputation? Party school? Work hard/ play hard? What does the institution say about its own culture as it pertains to drinking?
Wake Forest is often referred to as "Work Forest" by students. Most students describe the culture at Wake Forest as very competitive academically during the week. Students say that they work hard during the week (Sunday - Thursday) and party hard on the weekend, in order to relax and unwind from the pressures of school.

POLICY ENFORCEMENT

How are formal disciplinary infractions handled? How many cases involving violations of the disciplinary policy were completed last year? What was the range of sanctions? Was rehabilitation included in case dispositions?
Incident reports are filed in the Office of the Dean of Student Services. A decision is made by the dean or his designee regarding charges and what jurisdiction each individual case will follow. The dean, the judicial advisor and the judicial administrator conduct administrative hearings involving cases of social misconduct. During the 2000 - 2001 academic year, there were approximately 311 judicial cases (25 additional cases are still pending). An additional 92 cases were heard and the charges were dropped. Over ninety percent of the cases heard were alcohol related. Last year sanctions included expulsion, suspension, off-campus alcohol assessment and treatment at the student's expense, fines, probation for the semester, apology letters, notification to parents, community service hours performed at non-profit organizations in the community and alcohol education (OCTAA - On Campus Talking About Alcohol).

Are there informal procedures for dealing with some alcohol-related policy infractions? What are these? How many were documented in the last year?
Yes. First-time charges of underage consumption and/or public display are dealt with administratively. Students charged with underage possession and/or consumption receive a $75.00 fine and are required to attend an alcohol education session. Students who are charged with public display receive 10 community service hours. A second infraction results in a letter of notification to parents. The majority of judicial cases are for underage consumption and/or public display. In 2000 ö 2001, there were 247 underage possession/consumption cases, 63 public display cases, and 31 alcohol abuse cases.

Does the campus have a security/police force? If so, what special training does it have to deal with alcohol issues?
Yes, Wake Forest has a University Police department. Officers are trained in ABC laws and policies on handling intoxicated persons.

Did the campus report any crime statistics for the past year? Did any of these crimes involve violations of laws or ordinances pertaining to alcohol?
Yes, the University is required to report yearly crime statistics. These statistics are included in the University Police Annual Crime Report (as required by the Title IV Higher Education Act of 1965) that is available to all. The University reports violations related to alcohol as required by law - including but not limited to ö transporting alcohol, possession (underage) and/or furnishing of alcohol to minors. A copy of this report can be found on the University Police website (www.wfu.edu/police).

Does Wake Forest conduct drunk driver checkpoints? If so, how many arrests have been made in the past year?
The University does not conduct drunk driver checkpoints.

Is the role of alcohol misuse examined in the cases of students who experience academic difficulty?
On an individual basis. Judicial records are filed with the Dean of the College and become part of a student's record.

As patrons enter the stadium for sporting or concert events, are they "checked" at the gate for beer cans or liquor bottles that they might be trying to bring in? Does security walk through the sections looking for those who might have brought liquor into the event?
Patrons entering the stadium for sporting events are checked at the gate for beer cans and liquor bottles. No alcoholic beverages are permitted in the stadium or the coliseum. At football games, Winston-Salem police and ALE officers patrol the parking lots and University police patrol within the stadium. University police do not patrol specifically for alcohol but do deal with violations of the alcohol policy, as appropriate.

COUNSELING AND REHABILITATION

Does Wake Forest offer (or arrange for access to off-campus providers) any special counseling program for students who may have alcohol problems? If so, how many students utilized this service last year? Is there a cost for this service?
Students who voluntarily request assistance at the University Counseling Center for alcohol-related problems may receive counseling services at UCC. In many cases, an off-campus referral is made and the student may or may not continue at UCC. Students who are involuntarily referred because of an alcohol violation by the Dean of Students or the Judicial Officer or Judicial Advisor will be referred off campus to any of a number of community assessment and treatment facilities (certified specialists). Approximately 30 students used this service last year. The cost for an off-campus assessment ranges from $50-125, while the cost of treatment on an out or in-patient basis is variable.

How does someone get referred to these services? Is the residence hall staff trained to identify students who may be in difficulty? How is the effectiveness of their performance evaluated?
Involuntary referrals are usually made by the Dean of Students or the Judicial Officer as a consequence of an alcohol violation, or by the Athletic Department. Other referrals may be made by the University Counseling Center when the individual voluntarily presents with an alcohol or substance abuse problem. Resident Advisors receive education on identifying alcohol policy violations along with training in "Alcohol Education Intervention" and "Responding to Drug Related Incidents."

Do the insurance plans offered by Wake Forest include services related to alcohol and other substance abuse?
Yes, once the $25 deductible per illness is met, the insurance plan will cover 100% of "usual and customary charges" for alcohol/substance abuse treatment up to $500 and 80% for treatment over $500 up to $100,000.

Are counseling services available to those who are affected by or suffer from someone else's abuse of alcohol (a roommate, relative, boyfriend or girlfriend)?
The University Counseling Center provides individual counseling and offers an "Adult Children of Alcoholics" support group. The Center also advises students of other community resources.

Does Wake Forest offer programs for students who are recovering from addictions? What kinds of services?
The University Counseling Center does not offer specific programs for students recovering from addictions, but does offer counseling, referral services, and follow-up to off-campus treatment.

Are there Alcoholics Anonymous meetings on campus? Are faculty, staff, and/or other student sponsors available for students who may need help?
Not at this time. An AA group was offered on campus for several years but was discontinued due to lack of participation.

Does Wake Forest maintain any special relationship with an in-patient treatment facility? Are special academic withdrawals and other arrangements made in connection with any medical leaves?
The University Counseling Center has a working relationship with some local in-patient treatment facilities. If a student needs to withdraw for medical reasons, depending on the circumstances, arrangements can be made for the student to withdraw without academic penalty.

Does Wake Forest train peer mediators or other students to help fellow students assess the possibility of their having an alcohol problem?
Peer Health Educators, a student organization designed to provide programs about health-related issues on campus, conducts many educational programs about alcohol use/abuse each year by request. Typically, peer health educators do not provide formal individual assessment assistance, but often refer other students to the Health Educator or the University Counseling Center for more information. TIPS training, which is offered to all student organizations that hold events where alcohol is served, helps students to more easily recognize when someone has had too much to drink and provides assistance in learning how to intervene effectively.

Does Wake Forest's health service do any routine screening for possible alcohol problems and make referrals when a possible problem is identified?
Student Health Service providers routinely ask about alcohol use when students present for treatment. When a potential alcohol problem is identified, students are given information about alcohol abuse and are strongly encouraged to contact the Counseling Center or an outside assessment center.

TOWN/GOWN ISSUES

What is the "drinking climate" of the local town or city in which the campus is located? Are bars the mainstay of the local night life? Are coffeehouses popular? Is there a movie theater or playhouse? What sort of student discounts are offered by local establishments or theaters?
Winston-Salem is not a city with a strong "drinking culture" and bars are not the mainstay of local nightlife. At the same time, there are several bars within a one mile radius of campus that cater particularly to Wake Forest students. Coffeehouses are very popular and several are patronized frequently by Wake Forest students. There are many movie theaters in town, including two within a short distance from the campus. Many local events and establishments offer discount prices to students (symphony, theater, for example).

Is there a campus ride service to help prevent students who have been drinking from driving?
Yes. We have a student initiated taxi service (EZ Rides) with a local cab company (Willards). Students are able to charge their ride to their student account by showing their WFU student I.D. card. Students may use this taxi service anytime.

Are there any joint town/college task forces or community-based efforts to reduce alcohol abuse?
Yes. Winston-Salem has a community-wide alcohol and substance abuse coalition. Representatives from the University are members of the group.

When you tour the campus, do you see evidence of local bars/
taverns/liquor stores who are targeting students through special drink promotions, happy hours, events?
Local bars, taverns, and liquor stores are not permitted to advertise on campus. When these groups post flyers on campus, we tear them down as quickly as possible. Some local institutions continue to try to promote their business on the campus.

Are there any special local ordinances concerning the public consumption of alcohol or the possession of "open" containers?
It is unlawful for any person to consume alcohol or to possess "open" containers on property owned, occupied or controlled by the city of Winston-Salem, including public streets and county parks.

Are there any specific measures taken to discourage off-campus underage drinking and/or excessive drinking by those who are 21?
No.