Memorandum by Universities UK (AL 83)
1. Universities UK welcomes the opportunity
to make an input into the Committee's work. Universities UK is
the representative organisation for the heads of universities,
As requested, this submission focuses on the topic of "student
binge drinking", and it has been prepared on the basis that
the Committee will also be considering evidence from the NUS.
2. The key issues are: wider societal trends
in alcohol consumption; the status of students as adults responsible
for their own choices; how best to manage the aggressive marketing
by drinks suppliers targeting young consumers; the wider issue
of promoting healthy choices among students and staff.
3. A report prepared for the Joseph Rowntree
Foundation[101]
in May 2009 explored trends in alcohol consumption over the
last 20-30 years. It identified a possible recent decrease
in drinking among 16-24 year olds, and an increase amongst
very young adolescents. Binge drinking levels in the wider population
have changed little between 1998 and 2006, although there
has been an increase among women over 25 years of age. Binge
drinking levels in this research were defined as twice the recommended
daily limit—this is the definition we will use for this
submission.
4. The small amounts of research undertaken
about student alcohol consumption suggest that levels of dangerous
drinking are no worse (and possibly less problematic) than that
found in the general population (Alcohol Concern point to around
25% of the UK population drinking at a dangerous or risky level).
Work at Leeds University in 2004-05 (Institute of Alcohol
Studies research project) suggested levels of dangerous drinking
of between 17% and 30% among the student population.
5. Although universities do not have a duty
of care for their students on the same basis as that of schools,
they obviously have a significant interest in their welfare, particularly
in their first year of study, when they are settling into a new
environment and social milieu. For this reason, many universities
have policies on alcohol (and also drugs) consumption, and make
use of existing campaigning materials about the risks of excessive
consumption. This is often in conjunction with their Student Union
(SU), as universities generally do not run bars for students,
but contract with their Student Unions to do this. The changing
nature of the student population means that social facilities
on campus must meet the needs of wide range of cultures and nationalities,
including those who do not consume alcohol, or do not wish to
be with students who are consuming it.
6. Ongoing research in the South West of
England is looking at sensible drinking amongst students in Higher
Education Institutions (HEIs) in the region. The report is due
for publication by the end of November and is likely to conclude
that although most HEIs have a commitment towards promoting sensible
drinking amongst their students, activities and policies are sporadic,
and a fully coordinated approach across the region is desirable.
7. There is clearly a problem in some parts
of the country with aggressive external promoters targeting young
people, not just university students. This makes influencing and
managing student bars and entertainment venues particularly important,
and ensuring that normal university social activities, clubs and
societies are not used to embed irresponsible consumption. Most
universities have agreements with their clubs and societies precluding
excessive/irresponsible use of drugs and alcohol. The more proactive
require individual students to commit to responsible behaviour
when joining. For health and medical students, expectations around
professional behaviours and regulatory bodies' requirements can
be used to help promote a responsible approach to alcohol consumption.
8. The "Healthy Universities"
project has been running since 2006, and has recently secured
funding from the Higher Education Funding Council (HEFCE) for
a two year project to embed its activities more widely. This latest
stage, "Developing Leadership and Governance for Healthy
Universities" is a collaboration with the Leadership Foundation
for Higher Education and the Royal Society for Public Health.
It is concerned with strengthening and expanding the "English
National Healthy Universities Network", a group of universities
committed to: creating healthy working, learning and living environments;
increasing the profile of health in teaching and research; and
developing healthy alliances in the community. Issues such as
diet and alcohol consumption will be picked up in its work around
whole university approaches to health and well-being for staff
and students.
November 2009
101 "Drinking in the UK: An exploration of trends",
Lesley Smith and David Foxcroft. Joseph Rowntree Foundation (www.jrf.org.uk)
2009. Back
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