Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, August 12, 1993 TAG: 9308120164
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: From staff and wire reports
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Fraternity and sorority members report drinking more alcohol and suffering more academic and health problems than other college students, according to a new nationwide survey.
Drinking on campus is widespread, but excesses were more pronounced among fraternity members, the unscientific survey found. The "Greeks" reported drinking an average of 20.3 drinks a week while all college men reported an average of 7.5 drinks.
"The difference is astounding," said Cheryl A. Presley, director of the Core Institute for Alcohol and Other Drug Studies at Southern Illinois University, which conducted the study.
"This study makes it clear that we need to work more closely with fraternities and sororities in preventing substance abuse," said Philip W. Meilman, co-author of the report and director of the College of William and Mary's counseling center.
The survey results were not surprising to Larry Hincker, a Virginia Tech spokesman.
"We believe that this mirrors what takes place here at Virginia Tech," Hincker said.
At Radford University, Leah Payne, coordinator for Greek affairs, said the university's own surveys show there are some differences between alcohol consumption by Greeks and non-Greeks, but not nearly the numbers cited by this national study.
At Radford, 98 percent of Greek members reported using alcohol sometime, as opposed to 93 percent of non-Greeks. Fifty-five percent of Greeks report heavy or binge drinking compared to 47 percent of non-Greeks.
Nationwide, some students and groups criticized the questionnaire survey, calling it outdated and biased against fraternity and sorority members.
"It's an image we've been trying to beat for five or six years," said Jamey Mitchell, an Alpha Tau Omega member who graduated from Washington State University in December with a business management degree. "It's one of those things that are hanging with us. People are not seeing the changes being made."
Results are based on responses from 53,644 students at 78 colleges, including 1,006 students who belonged to fraternities or sororities. The survey was funded by the U.S. Department of Education.
Researchers conducted the survey between 1989 and 1991. The identities of the respondents and their institutions were kept confidential.
Seventy percent of fraternity and sorority members responding reported missing classes because of drinking problems, compared with 33 percent of all students responding.
Also, 57 percent of Greeks said they suffered blackouts because of drinking or drugs, compared to 31 percent of all students. And 50 percent of Greeks said they did poorly on a test because of drinking or drugs, compared to 25 percent of all students.
Sorority house residents said they drank an average of almost two times more alcohol per week (6.2 drinks) than all college women (3.2 drinks).
The study had a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
Several fraternities, including Alpha Tau Omega, have outlawed house keg parties and ban the use of chapter funds to buy alcohol.
At Radford this fall, the university will emphasize alcohol awareness issues, "starting with educating the new members [of Greek organizations]. I think that's where we need to begin," Payne said.
The university is planning workshops for fraternity and sorority members, including a mock trial about legal aspects of alcohol responsibility and consequences of bad behaviors.
Sororities and fraternities at Radford University have received a letter from the university urging them to develop self-regulation initiatives that outline alcohol policies, grade requirements and other membership requirements.
All rushes at Radford are alcohol free, Payne said, and freshmen students cannot rush until spring semester.
About 12 percent of Radford students belong to a Greek organization, Payne said. About 16 percent of Tech's undergraduates belong to a Greek organization.
At Tech, Hincker said alcohol education programs are targeted to the entire campus population, beginning at orientation programs that include a video addressing alcohol awareness and dealing with peer pressure.
Betty Jones, substance abuse and sexual assault educator at Radford, said the fact that Radford recently established her position shows the university's commitment to addressing the problem of alcohol abuse.
Beyond concern about the level of drinking by fraternity and sorority members, Jones said, there is a statewide concern about binge-drinking - drinking five or more drinks on any one occasion.
Jones said her awareness programs will use peer educators - students who will present programs to other students about identifying problems, empowering students to make responsible choices and spotting intoxicated persons.
Some programs will be aimed at the college's nondrinkers to bolster their decision to be alcohol-free.
Carolyn Penn, a health educator at Tech, said the university helps Greek organizations with programs about alcohol issues and use. Like Radford, Tech also makes use of a peer-educator system. This fall, Penn is working toward establishing a program that addresses alcohol-related health issues, emphasizing responsible drinking choices.
by CNB