2008 Woodie Awards
Drinking posters around campus causes reactions
Kathleen Vissichelli
Issue date: 2/14/08 Section: News
Students have noticed posters with slogans about drinking on college campuses. These are the first in a series of "social norming" posters and they have been greeted with mixed reactions by the student body.
"Social norming comes from the theory which is based on studies that show that most college students misinterpret their peers drinking habits, which they tend to exaggerate. We then conducted a survey which provided us with the real statistics that are featured on the posters," said Janice Kessler, program coordinator and alcohol and drug counselor.
This semester, a few posters have debuted in hallways and classrooms. The posters feature statistics that are meant to show the truth about Sacred Heart students and drinking.
Jeff Linkenbach from Montana State University first created the project. Since then the strategy of social norming campaigns have been used at over 30 campuses nation wide.
Kessler and her team approached the State Department of Transportation for a grant to fund the project.
"The counseling center wanted to take on this type of campaign and get rid of the negative approach towards college drinking and start gearing more towards the positive, with the students here at SHU," said senior Alex Volpe, a Peer Educator.
Kessler explains what is different about social norming campaigns as opposed to other anti-alcohol ones.
"We're used to health terrorism, to mock accidents; the reality is that most SHU students don't drink and drive. Most students know you're not supposed to drink and drive. Instead of scaring people, we're taking positive responses," said Kessler.
The results that are featured on the posters were compiled from a survey of approximately 500 students in random classrooms.
"I've had mixed reactions from students and staff; some don't believe it. The results have been very positive, but most people on the campus like that it's a positive approach rather than fear based information," said Kessler.
"Social norming comes from the theory which is based on studies that show that most college students misinterpret their peers drinking habits, which they tend to exaggerate. We then conducted a survey which provided us with the real statistics that are featured on the posters," said Janice Kessler, program coordinator and alcohol and drug counselor.
This semester, a few posters have debuted in hallways and classrooms. The posters feature statistics that are meant to show the truth about Sacred Heart students and drinking.
Jeff Linkenbach from Montana State University first created the project. Since then the strategy of social norming campaigns have been used at over 30 campuses nation wide.
Kessler and her team approached the State Department of Transportation for a grant to fund the project.
"The counseling center wanted to take on this type of campaign and get rid of the negative approach towards college drinking and start gearing more towards the positive, with the students here at SHU," said senior Alex Volpe, a Peer Educator.
Kessler explains what is different about social norming campaigns as opposed to other anti-alcohol ones.
"We're used to health terrorism, to mock accidents; the reality is that most SHU students don't drink and drive. Most students know you're not supposed to drink and drive. Instead of scaring people, we're taking positive responses," said Kessler.
The results that are featured on the posters were compiled from a survey of approximately 500 students in random classrooms.
"I've had mixed reactions from students and staff; some don't believe it. The results have been very positive, but most people on the campus like that it's a positive approach rather than fear based information," said Kessler.
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