3 presidents try to curb drinking

Michigan State University President Peter McPherson said it was time to redefine socially acceptable behavior among college students. McPherson said he wanted to make so-called celebration drinking, or excessive drinking on special occasions, as unacceptable in our culture as drunken driving.

"I think we can do something about excessive drinking," McPherson told the National Association of Attorneys General at their annual spring meeting. "There has been a shift and society is beginning to be willing to do this."

But he added, "It's going to take some time."

Last year, there were 20 alcohol-related deaths of students nationwide, said Indiana Attorney General Jeff Modisett. Michigan State student Bradley McCue died last fall after drinking 24 shots on his 21st birthday.

"Nearly one half of all college students engage in high-risk binge drinking," Modisett said. Excessive drinking leads to lower grades, fights, destruction of property and more sex crimes, he said.

Last year, students at Michigan State rioted in protesting a decision to make Munn Field alcohol-free.

"In the last few years, the level of attention given this problem by university presidents has accelerated," Penn State University President Graham Spanier said.

"Alcohol is a factor in 40 percent of all academic problems and 28 percent of all drop outs," Spanier said.

The presidents were invited to speak because they are trying innovative programs to combat alcohol abuse at their universities.

William Jenkins, the chancellor of Louisiana State University, said LSU is sponsoring more alcohol-free events. "I wish I could tell you this is an overwhelming success," he said. "We are striving to do better."

MSU is beefing up its message on alcohol abuse during student orientation, implementing a "safe ride" program for drunken students and tightening punishments for intoxicated students who commit crimes off campus.

At Penn State, campus personnel also are stepping up educational messages, especially at freshman orientation, and are encouraging some fraternities and dorms to remain "alcohol-free."

The objective, Jenkins said, was "not to eliminate alcohol but change the norms of behavior." And there are signs that is happening, he said. Sixty percent of the university's students now say drinking is a problem on campus compared to 44 percent three years ago, Jenkins said.

Also important, McPherson said, is the cooperation of bar owners and fraternities.

A group of bar owners in the Michigan State campus area has decided not to have "specials," events with very cheap alcohol, he said. And earlier this month, fraternities at the college imposed a month-long moratorium on parties at their houses to curb alcohol abuse.

The key to success in decreasing student alcohol abuse, McPherson said, is "a combination of education and enforcement."

"It appears that 10 percent of the students do 70 percent of the consumption. But periodically about 50 percent of students do excessive drinking," he said.

Michigan Attorney General Jennifer Granholm said the laws in Michigan appeared adequate but it was important to change student attitudes about excessive drinking through education and law enforcement.

"It's a question of elevating the level of education and what enforcement mechanisms are out there," Granholm said.

03-25-99