However, these results clearly indicate that universities have some special work to do. There is a more significant problem among the university population than the non-university population, and we have a special responsibility to act on this information. Leaving the security of their home environment may make some students more susceptible to negative peer pressures. We need to help students build a sense of community on campus. One of the difficulties faced by university officials is that most of the drinking by college students is done off campus, leaving little recourse for discipline.
Universities can, however, offer more non-alcoholic events and activities.
President Sederburg, a former chair of the Health Policy Committee, feels state government must also act on the lessons of the survey. The legislature needs to step in by tightening regulations governing alcohol use and abuse. Margaret Avritt, interim vice president for University Advancement and Marketing, explains why Ferris commissioned the survey. We wanted to measure whether we are dealing with a special population regarding alcohol abuse, and obviously we are. We are extremely concerned over these findings.