2008 Woodie Awards
ISU receives grant to prevent underage drinking
Matt Spialek
Issue date: 11/8/07 Section: News
ISU recently received a $7,500 grant to prevent underage drinking in student organizations.
"The grant comes from the Illinois Higher Education Center," Michelle Janisz, coordinator for Greek Affairs, said.
"The grant is actually looking at specific environmental factors affecting underage drinking," Suzette Zompetti, senior specialist for SGA advisement and community rights and responsibilities in the Dean of Students Office, said.
Both Zompetti and Janisz described the initiative as a proactive approach.
With the money, Zompetti said ISU plans to provide a resource training guide for those that host social functions with alcohol as well as offer standardized sober monitor training.
"The money would also go toward outlining the Town of Normal ordinance and the ISU alcohol policy…we would make it clearer for everyone involved," Zompetti added.
These projects are currently being developed, but Zompetti said, "We will have program delivery beginning in the spring semester and through the calendar year of 2008."
Zompetti believed the grant would be useful, especially after significant data from the CORE survey.
"We do have issues with students drinking underage," Zompetti said.
According to the 2006 ISU CORE data, "74.4 percent of students surveyed under the age of 21 had consumed alcohol in the past 30 days."
The data also provided students' perceptions of drinking and Greek Life.
"97.9 percent of ISU students surveyed said that drinking is an integral part of fraternity life, and 93.5 percent of ISU students surveyed said drinking is an integral part of sorority life," Zompetti said.
With such a high number of students drinking underage, as well as perceiving drinking as a key aspect of Greek organizations, the grant is an opportunity to address these issues.
Although fraternities and sororities are mentioned in the survey, these organizations will not be the only ones participating in the program.
"They are only one small piece of Registered Student Organizations. It is not just a fraternity or sorority initiative by any form," Janisz said.
"The grant comes from the Illinois Higher Education Center," Michelle Janisz, coordinator for Greek Affairs, said.
"The grant is actually looking at specific environmental factors affecting underage drinking," Suzette Zompetti, senior specialist for SGA advisement and community rights and responsibilities in the Dean of Students Office, said.
Both Zompetti and Janisz described the initiative as a proactive approach.
With the money, Zompetti said ISU plans to provide a resource training guide for those that host social functions with alcohol as well as offer standardized sober monitor training.
"The money would also go toward outlining the Town of Normal ordinance and the ISU alcohol policy…we would make it clearer for everyone involved," Zompetti added.
These projects are currently being developed, but Zompetti said, "We will have program delivery beginning in the spring semester and through the calendar year of 2008."
Zompetti believed the grant would be useful, especially after significant data from the CORE survey.
"We do have issues with students drinking underage," Zompetti said.
According to the 2006 ISU CORE data, "74.4 percent of students surveyed under the age of 21 had consumed alcohol in the past 30 days."
The data also provided students' perceptions of drinking and Greek Life.
"97.9 percent of ISU students surveyed said that drinking is an integral part of fraternity life, and 93.5 percent of ISU students surveyed said drinking is an integral part of sorority life," Zompetti said.
With such a high number of students drinking underage, as well as perceiving drinking as a key aspect of Greek organizations, the grant is an opportunity to address these issues.
Although fraternities and sororities are mentioned in the survey, these organizations will not be the only ones participating in the program.
"They are only one small piece of Registered Student Organizations. It is not just a fraternity or sorority initiative by any form," Janisz said.
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