FAQs
- What is alcohol use like at Loyola?
- Why is Loyola concerned about student drinking?
- What is Loyola University Chicago doing about student drinking?
- What is alcohol harm reduction?
- Does Loyola's harm reduction goal mean that the university places less emphasis on the law?
- Who is responsible for Loyola's "Choice. Control. Character." alcohol initiative?
- What resources does "Choice. Control. Character." provide to students?
What is alcohol use like at Loyola?
Each year, Loyola University Chicago's Wellness Center administers the National College Health Assessment and/or the Core Alcohol and Other Drug Survey to a random sample of Loyola undergraduate students to learn about their attitudes, perceptions and behaviors concerning alcohol. Participation in the surveys is voluntary and anonymous. Survey results indicate that most students at Loyola use alcohol in moderation or not at all; however many students report consuming alcohol in ways that put them and others at greater risk for alcohol-related harm. The most recent survey results are presented here.
- Most students (82%) drink two or fewer times per week.
- Most students' (64%) blood-alcohol concentration was less than .08% the last time they partied.
- Most students (61%) have four or fewer drinks on a night out.
- Two-thirds of the students who drink have less than six drinks per week.
- Most students (98%) usually use protective strategies when they party (e.g., set limits, avoid drinking games, etc.)
Why is Loyola concerned about student drinking?
Loyola University Chicago is committed to helping students succeed. To this end, Loyola works with and for students to address issues that might negatively affect learning, academic success, health and safety. As the following statistics indicate, the misuse of alcohol affects all college students, whether or not they drink.
Percentages of Loyola students reporting negative consequences as a result of personal alcohol or other drug use in the past year:
| Nausea and vomiting | 58% |
| In trouble for public misconduct | 38% |
| Blackouts/memory loss | 38% |
| Done something regretful | 36% |
| Got in argument or fight | 31% |
| Missed a class | 30% |
| Performed poorly on a test/project | 21% |
| Injury to self | 16% |
| Unprotected sex | 12% |
| Thought I might have a drinking or other drug problem | 11% |
| Been taken advantage of sexually | 9% |
Secondhand effects, or the impact of someone else's alcohol use on others, are also of concern. Loyola students report that other students' drinking has negatively affected them in the following ways:
| Interrupts studying | 32% |
| Messes up living space | 27% |
| Makes me feel unsafe | 14% |
| Prevents me from enjoying events | 13% |
| Interferes in other ways | 29% |
For more information, see Consequences of Drinking at Colleges and Universities Nationwide.
What is Loyola University Chicago doing about students drinking?
"Choice. Control. Character. Making decisions about drinking" is Loyola's initiative to prevent or reduce harm from alcohol use—physical, academic, emotional, social or legal—to the individual user and the community. The university's prevention strategy, which includes prevention education, interventions and environmental modifications, acknowledges that students face many choices about drinking and supports them in making decisions that put them in control of their well-being and build character.
What is alcohol harm reduction?
Harm reduction consists of programs and policies that aim to prevent or reduce adverse consequences associated with the use of alcohol to the individual users and their communities. Harm reduction accepts that some use of alcohol is not an uncommon feature of the college experience. From a community perspective, efforts to reduce alcohol-related harms may be more practical than efforts to eliminate alcohol use entirely.
Does Loyola's harm reduction goal mean that the university places less emphasis on the law?
The university expects students to follow Illinois state law and Loyola's alcohol policy, and we enforce those policies. However, students are young adults who have the freedom and responsibility to make their own decisions, and they often consume alcohol even when it conflicts with the law. Our goal is to reduce alcohol-related harms by creating an environment that promotes responsibility, healthy choices, self-control and good character when making decisions regarding alcohol use.
Who is responsible for Loyola's "Choice. Control. Character." alcohol initiative?
Loyola’s Wellness Center is responsible for coordinating the university's alcohol initiative. The Wellness Center is a part of, and works closely with, the university's Safety Net Coalition, a group of students, staff, faculty, and Loyola neighbors whose mission is to contribute to the building of a safer and healthier campus-community environment. The members of this multidisciplinary group bring valuable perspectives and expertise to the work of reducing harm from alcohol.
What resources does "Choice. Control. Character." provide to students?
"Choice. Control. Character." provides students with a variety of alcohol-related program and resources, including:
Prevention education programs (e.g., AlcoholEdu for College* and peer-led programs) that help prepare students to make safe and responsible decisions in situations involving alcohol
Interventions for students who want fewer downsides of drinking (e.g., BASICS)
Referrals to connect students with alcohol-related treatment, self-help groups, on-line resources, etc.
Media campaigns with safety tips to reduce drinking-related harm
To learn more about these resources for students, visit www.luc.edu/wellness/alcohol_drugs.shtml.
*To view a demonstration of AlcoholEdu® for College, click on this link. Under 'New User' enter the following login ID: 9C146719DEMO. Click 'sign-up' and follow the on-screen prompts.