News releases

June 21, 2000

TO: Editors, news directors
FROM: Office of News and Public Affairs, 608/262-3571
RE: UW-Madison acts to curb binge drinking

In a study released this week, researchers involved with the Harvard School of Public Health College Alcohol Study, in addition to recommending stricter enforcement of the drinking-age law at bars, suggest targeting happy hours, alcohol promotions, and the sale of beer in kegs.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is already at the forefront in all of these areas as part of the RWJ Project, a six-year grant project (through 2002) to change the campus and community norms that result in high-risk drinking. This project focuses primarily on changing culture of high-risk drinking, not individual behavior. As a result, the university is:

-- Pursuing changes in policy. University officials regard recent negotiations with the Luther's Blues club owner over drink specials and other matters to be a model of what can be accomplished when tavern owners and the university work together to encourage responsible alcohol consumption. In addition, RWJ Project organizers have continued to forge collaborations between the campus and the community, meeting with campus-area property owners, area high schools and Tavern League members to identify common issues and discuss roles in changing the culture that supports high-risk drinking.

As part of this initiative, the university also participates in the Mayor's Work Group on Downtown Alcohol Issues, and the university intends to take an active role in the future in deliberations over alcohol licenses, including renewals, for the campus area.

University officials plan to back a beer keg registration bill in the Legislature and seek a reduction in drink specials at bars in the campus neighborhood.

-- Fostering better awareness of high-risk drinking's consequences. RWJ staff and volunteers present many alcohol awareness, safety and community building programs to student groups, and RWJ recently held an open student forum on the subject open to all students.

-- Sponsoring alternative activities. To help steer underage students away from the bar scene, a grants program now in its second year helps support late-night, alcohol-free activities at recreational facilities and the unions.

The Club 770 music and dance events, organized by and for students, have proven to be a particularly big draw, with 200 to 400 students attending each Friday and Saturday night.

As to the campus beer pricing issue, the university has surveyed 13 campus-area establishments that offer beer as a major part of their sales mix. Results show that Wisconsin Union tap prices match or exceed prices in the surrounding area. Prices on comparable kinds of bottled beer are virtually identical across the board. And unlike campus-area establishments, the unions do not offer drink-price specials at any time.

For more information, contact Provost John D. Wiley, (608) 262-1304; or Rob Adsit, RWJ Project Coordinator, (608) 265-5231

For detailed information on RWJ activities visit: http://www.uhs.wisc.edu/rwj/

###