A resolution to implement strategies of combating alcohol abuse at the University passed Full Senate last night.

The alcohol subcommittee charged to analyze the problem created the report, which contained multiple recommendations for encouraging responsible drinking habits. Chairwoman Emily Williams, Overland Park graduate student, said although most of the recommendations came from investigations and studies observed by the subcommittee throughout the semester, the alcohol survey, which asked students about their own drinking habits and current knowledge of University alcohol policy, provided a great deal of insight. This survey was separate from AlcoholEdu and was not required for enrollment.

So far, 1,962 people have responded. Williams said the survey had one important flaw: Because all responses were anonymous, it was possible for people to take it more than once. For this reason, the survey was not the only resource for the recommendations. Tom Cox, Chairman of Student Rights Standing Committee, supervised the resolution as it passed through the Rights Committee two weeks ago.

“It was reviewing what they could, what they could change, if any change was necessary,” he said.

Now that the resolution has passed Full Senate, Vice Provost Marlesa Roney and the Office of Student Success will begin implementing the recommendations.

“I’m so pleased about the work that has been done,” she said. “We’ve got lots of new information and some good recommendations and it gives the opportunity to think about how we can move forward.”

Williams said the open-ended questions would be especially helpful to the vice provost and office of student success. Most of the questions explored students’ opinions on specific policy, but some were more broad, such as this: “Do you have any ideas for combating alcohol abuse at the University of Kansas?”

“Not many students have the opportunity or take the time to walk into the office of the Vice Provost and Student Success and say ‘This is what I think about the issue,’” Williams said.

The survey also tended to support a lot of ideas discussed in the subcommittee during the last three months.

“There was a lot of data that seemed to kind of confirm what the subcommittee was thinking — and the line of thinking we’ve been following — all semester,” she said. “I was really pleased with how many people responded to the open-ended questions.”

Williams said she was surprised by how heavily people relied on University alcohol-related resources. For instance, more than 1,100 people knew how to use Saferide, Safebus, and Watkins. Fewer than 150 people knew of community resources such as the Bert Nash Center, the Alcohol Education Sanction Program and Headquarters.

“There are a lot more resources out there,” she said. “It seems that the University students that responded tend to focus on cheaper University services that have a very immediate gratification.”

Williams said the survey also confirmed that most people started drinking alcohol before they went to college. This strengthened the committee’s recommendation to implement alcohol education in high school rather than wait until people go to college.

The survey also enlightened the committee of the student population’s general ignorance of city and state laws concerning alcohol. According to the survey, 44 percent of students did not know being caught hosting a minor who consumed alcohol was a minimum fine of $1,000.

The survey also exposed potential weaknesses of current University policy. For instance, 56 percent of surveyors said the parental notification policy did not affect their drinking. However, seniors had the highest response rate, representing 27 percent of the entire response from all age groups. Those who are at the legal drinking age are less likely to be affected by such a policy.

Roney said the implementation of the recommendations would be investigated and analyzed as soon as possible.

— Edited by Sarah Kelly