Slovak university student perception s of alcohol policy on their campuses.

1. Slovak university student perceptions of alcohol policy on their campuses. Ferdinand Salonna1, Natália Sedlák Vendelová1, Bart Vriesacker2, Guido Van Hal2 1 Department of Educational Psychology and Health Psychology, Faculty of Arts, Safarik University, Kosice, Slovakia 2 Research Group Medical Sociology and Health Policy, Department of Epidemiology and Social Medicine, University of Antwerp.

2. BACKGROUND Initiative “on Campus Alcohol Policy (oCAP) “ University of Antwerp University of Miskolc University Hospital in Rouen Univerityof PJ Safarik in Košice

3. BACKGROUND There are formal alcohol policies at universities in Slovakia. Mostly non-systematic and often not implemented in practice. 

4. OBJECTIVE To explore student attitudes towards alcohol policy on their campus.

5. KEY QUESTIONS • “Is there a policy concerning alcohol on your campus and what are the consequences hereof?” • “How should an on campus alcohol policy be developed and what should be the content?”

6. METHODS • 8 focus group discussions, winter 2011, • 64 participants (8 per group; 38 females), • university students, 6 faculties at 2 universities in Košice, Slovakia, • No abstainers • Fewer than 15% problem drinkers (CAGE). 

7. Should the  universities / colleges engage in the prevention of alcohol consumption?

8. Should the  universities / colleges engage in the prevention of alcohol consumption?

9. Should the  universities / colleges engage in the prevention of alcohol consumption?

10. Type of academic environment and alcohol consumption HallsofResidence • perceived as „home“; • private space where it is not suitable to restrict the alcohol consumption with regulations, • Matter of individual personal freedom "Like, of course, when I go to exercise, or to a lecture, so of course there should not be (alcohol), but at the halls itis not possible to prohibit it..." 5/40

11. Type of academic environment and alcohol consumption University premises where education itself is carried out • In contrast to halls, it is perceived as a placewhere you do your „job“, • Professional environment, public space, • It was implicitly clear that alcohol absolutely doesnotbelongbelongs here.

12. FORMAL RULES Ignorance/lack of information about formal rules/banning alcohol on university premises.

13. FORMAL RULES • Existing rules are perceived as in conflict with the experiences "It is  forbidden, but it's tolerated.” • Ignoring the rules " So I think that the situation, as it is now is bad. If someone violates a rule, e.g. comes in drunk for a lecture, and it isn't dealt with then no-one else is afraid to come in drunk. Because after all, nothing will come of it, no problem /consequences.The fact that those students are not obeying the rules, is wrong."

14. INFORMAL RULES • informal rules "apply" and also have a control system and its specific informants; • particular forms are associated with general social rules. "That if you drink, do it in silence, and afterwards clean up all the mess, the empty bottles must be taken to the containers outside the building. It was a rule. It was the cleaning lady, who pointed this out if by chance we would like to drink."2/20 " No bottles, no problem. "

15. In between formal and informal rules Student police Informal/formal system of control and assistance in situations associated with alcohol drinking, disturbance of night silent hours or damaging theuniversityproperty; Only at some halls of residence(mostly attheTechnical unieversity in Košice) Part of students' union, different extent of institutionalization Motivation - freeaccommodationpoints, free internet or gym, discount on accommodation

16. In between formal and informal rules “After ten in the evening you have to be quiet. When an event is announced, it may be tolerated until midnight. But if there's a big mess, they will finish it earlier. Those student cops. And it is dealt with by taking the accommodation points. "5/18 “ They have enough respect. They come to the room and no one dares to run away, because you have nowhere to escape. When they catch youwhile you are running, you will have a much bigger problem. They take your accommodation card and the next day you go to the student council. About 12 people sit there and they wonder what you did. “ 3/231

17. In between formal and informal rules Student police • Respected as formal and also informal authority • Sometimes you can negotiate the rules • Main complaint aboutcorruption or abuse of their position “ But those in the Student Council, or the police they do not respect them (the rules). There is nobody to punish them. They can also have a party until 1 AM, it does not matter to anyone. They disturb others, making noise, at any time they want, even after 2AM or later. “ 5/308 “Cleaningup “

18. In between formal and informal rules

19. Possible actions of universities in prevention of alcohol consumption – according students

20. Possible actions of universities in prevention of alcohol consumption – according students

21. Possible actions of universities in prevention of alcohol consumption – according students

22. CONCLUSION

23. “COPS“

24. “COPS“

25. Thankyouforyourattention! Aknowledgement Withfinancialsupport fromthe Government Office of Slovak republicunder the grant program forinitiatives and activities in the national drug strategy for 2011.