FACT SHEET
For immediate useNov. 20, 1997 -- No. 871
The following is a summary of UNC-CH efforts currently underway to address alcohol use and misuse:
- Last spring, the Chancellor's Task Force on Substance Abuse, chaired by Dr. William Jordan of Fayetteville, issued a
sweeping report suggesting that the university take steps including holding alcohol-free social events; lengthening
freshman orientation to stress negative aspects of substance abuse; beefing up discipline for persistent substance
abusers; encouraging students to seek counseling for substance-abuse problems; increasing the number of
substance-free floors in residence halls; and banning alcohol advertising during Tar Heel Sports Network radio
broadcasts of Carolina games. Most of the panel's suggestions have been implemented.
- Fall Fest, held the first weekend of school, attracted an estimated 5,000 students to an alcohol-free block party
featuring free food, music, games, a pep rally and information about getting involved with student groups. Student
participation helped make the event fun and attractive, especially for freshmen vulnerable to misconceptions that they
must drink to fit in. Students and administrators said the new campus tradition posed formidable competition for what
had been one of the biggest alcohol party nights of the year off campus.
- UNC-CH fraternities advertised and enforced an alcohol-free rush policy for the first time this fall, and the number of
pledges increased by 8 percent.
- UNC-CH this fall teamed up with Tar Heel Sports Marketing to support “Don't Get Wasted,” a public awareness
campaign that asks people choosing to drink alcohol to do so responsibly. Tar Heel coaches, athletes and town officials
have appeared in public service announcements promoting the campaign, which is aimed at people of legal drinking age
who attend campus-based sporting events. The campaign encourages people to drink responsibly for the safety of
themselves and others.
- This fall, the UNC Highway Safety Research Center began a first-of-its-kind study to assess the nature and extent of
alcohol use among students. Researchers are gathering voluntary breath-alcohol measurements from students as they
return to residence halls, fraternities, sororities and off-campus housing at night. Results will be shared with the
university to use in future educational programs. The N.C. Governor's Highway Safety Program awarded an $80,000
grant to start the project. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration contributed $200,000 to expand the
study.
- Thousands of alumni and football fans have flocked to Tar Heel Town, a new alcohol-free and family oriented pep rally
featuring music and entertainment before home games.
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News Services print contacts: Mike McFarland, Karen Stinneford
News Services broadcast contact: Karen Moon