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CWU Wellness - Annual Report 2011-2012
Policy Development Efforts – Social Host Policy The Campus-Community Coalition continued to be a key player with the Consequences Committee. A meeting was held in December 2011 to present information about social host policies and get feedback. The meeting was televised on KIMA news; participants included the city attorney and representatives from the county prosecuting attorney’s office, city police, probation, and the Kittitas County Community Network Coalition. Subsequent to that meeting, two surveys were conducted, one of CWU students and one of local law enforcement officers. The surveys were administered by the Campus-Community Coalition in partnership with the Law & Justice Department, to compile data regarding underage drinking parties and to see if the data supports moving forward with a proposal for a social host ordinance. The Alcohol Consumption and Social Hosting Survey of CWU students asked questions regarding where students get alcohol, where and how much they typically consume alcohol, and both negative and positive behaviors observed at parties. It was completed by 527 students; 55% were age 21 or older, and the rest were 18-20. Of those surveyed, 84% said that they drink alcoholic beverages. Of those who drink, most do not drink on campus. The majority drink off campus at small gatherings with friends or at parties. The most common negative observations at parties included people getting drunk, underage drinking, loud music and noise, and some uninvited people. The most common positive behavior observed at parties is friends taking care of each other. The law enforcement survey was sent to 20 officers at CWU PD, EPD, Sheriff’s 24% of students under the age of 21 said they Office, and the State Patrol, asking questions about their calls to underage do not consume alcoholic beverages drinking parties and their perception of the effectiveness of current laws in stopping underage drinking parties. Of the 18 surveys returned, 78% said they have stopped at a party because of noise, and 2/3 said they have shut down a party. Observations at parties include loud music, complaining neighbors, and trash in the yard. The majority (94%) believe that minors are getting alcohol from their friends. The results of these surveys were presented at a Campus-Community Coalition meeting on February 27, 2012. The CCC, in partnership with the Kittitas County Community Network Coalition, has been looking at the issue of underage drinking parties, to see if the data supports proposing a Social Host Ordinance to the Ellensburg City Council. Meetings have also been held with the Consequences Committee to continue the discussion among law enforcement, probation, and treatment and prevention professionals.