BACKGROUND INFORMATION ABOUT
BALL STATE’S POLICY CONCERNING ALCOHOLIC CONSUMPTION

Contact:

Maksym Samadov Public Relations Officer 765/214-3108

Even though Indiana University headed Ball State last year, having become the nation’s top party school, the college drinking remains the hot issue on campus.

Binge drinking has been defined as drinking five or more drinks in a single setting or as drinking five or more drinks in a single setting for men and four or more drinks in a single setting for women. Such drinking behavior increases the risk for a host of negative consequences, including hangovers, fights, driving while intoxicated, vandalism, and being the victim or perpetrator of sexual violence.

College students who drink heavily are 10 times more likely than their peers to get behind the wheel after drinking, according to The National Commission Against Drunk Driving. After five or more drinks, that number rockets to 74 times more likely.

Students who were most likely to drink and drive were men who frequently binge drank. Although women engaged in less overall driving after drinking, there was a positive relationship between binge frequency and driving after drinking. The importance of both risk assessment and prevention is obvious.

Background information about Ball State’s policy concerning alcohol consumption
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Health Education * Health Center Rm. 201 * Muncie, Indiana 47306
Phone: (765) 285-3775 * Fax: (765) 285-9063

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) Fatal Accident Reporting System, there were over 16,000 deaths caused by alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes in the United States in 2002. The relative risk for being involved in a motor vehicle crash is greater for younger than older drivers (Centers for Disease Control, 1995).

Of the 337 people who died in alcohol related auto accidents in Indiana last year, 157 were age 15-20 according to Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Nationally, a 15-20 year old is more likely to die in a car accident than in any other manner, according to Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD).

Alcohol is the number one drug-of-choice for the American college student as reported by the 2002 Core Institute Report. The Core Institute Report and Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System agreed that more than a quarter of college students surveyed drive after drinking. Driving after drinking among college students has also increased from 1997 to 2001.
In order to reduce underage drinking, Ball State introduced such policy as parents’ notification since fall 2002. The university notifies parents if a student under 21 violates Ball State's alcohol or drug policies.

Parents or guardians of students under 21 are notified of delinquency for a first violation of the drug policy, a second violation of the alcohol policy, or a first violation of the alcohol policy if a student compromises the health and safety of himself or herself and/or the that of other students. The new action stems from an amendment in 1998 to a federal law governing privacy of student records. Family Education Rights and Privacy Act permit colleges and universities to inform parents or guardians of illegal activity.

Earlier Ball State secured several federal grants to support enforcement of "driving under the influence" laws. Additionally, the university has secured federal grants to pay salaries to increase the number of officers. The incidence of DUI and minors consuming in the university community has decreased significantly.

Ball State’s policy concerning alcohol consumption on campus is following:
Residents who are of legal age to possess or consume alcoholic beverages and who reside in university-operated employee units or University Apartments may possess and consume such alcoholic beverages in the privacy of their residences.

Background information about Ball State’s policy concerning alcohol consumption
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Health Education * Health Center Rm. 201 * Muncie, Indiana 47306
Phone: (765) 285-3775 * Fax: (765) 285-9063

Consumption and possession of alcohol may be permitted in residence halls where all are residents of legal age to possess or consume alcoholic beverages. Such use of alcoholic beverages will not be permitted in the public lounges, study lounges, recreation areas, dining rooms, or any area other than the student rooms, with the following exceptions:

The possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages will be permitted in these areas only at officially sponsored and supervised social functions, provided that the area is closed to all but residents and their guests of legal age in accordance with procedures developed by the Housing and Residence Life Office.
The possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages will be permitted in suites (except sorority suites); residents are responsible for ensuring that all guests possessing or consuming alcoholic beverages in their residences are of legal age.

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Background information about Ball State’s policy concerning alcohol consumption
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Health Education * Health Center Rm. 201 * Muncie, Indiana 47306
Phone: (765) 285-3775 * Fax: (765) 285-9063

BALL STATE’S ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION POLICY
QUICK FACTS

Legal age to consume alcohol in Indiana: 21 years of age
Legal age to pour alcohol: 21 to mix and serve; 18 to take an order
Limit for driving while intoxicated: BAC is .08% limit for illegally drinking and driving.
Acceptable Forms of Identification to purchase alcohol:

Any State Driver's License
State-issued ID card
Military ID
Passport

Percent of all traffic fatalities that are alcohol-related: 40%
Percent of all campus rapes occur when either the assailant and/or the victim have used alcohol: 90%
The national number of college students who will eventually die of alcohol-related causes such as drunk driving accidents, cirrhosis of the liver, various cancers and heart disease: 300,000
The average student annual spends on alcohol: $900.00
The average student annual spends on books: $450.00

Background information about Ball State’s policy concerning alcohol consumption
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Health Education * Health Center Rm. 201 * Muncie, Indiana 47306
Phone: (765) 285-3775 * Fax: (765) 285-9063