Core Survey Shows Promise
Lunden Gillespie
Issue date: 12/9/09 Section: News
The core survey for Alcohol and Other Drug use at Frostburg State University has been released. By the looks of the survey, the students at FSU are not abusing alcohol and other drugs as much as they have in previous years. Conducted by the Director of the Counseling Center, Dr. Spencer Keakin, the survey is given every three years "to a representative sample of the FSU student population," according to the document. In March, 423 undergraduate and graduate students completed the survey which produced the results released.
In 2006, the percentage of FSU students consuming alcohol was 76%, now it has dropped more than 10% at 69.5%. To some, these numbers may be questionable because of Frostburg's reputation of being a party school, where unrecognized fraternities and sororities drink to their hearts content. But, President Gibralter feels that the numbers are "pretty accurate," and that when he took over as president the campus was facing a problem with students being involved in binge drinking.
The data found from this survey is used for "prevention activities, including its social norms marketing campaign" on campus. The flyers posted around campus, stating supposed facts about the alcohol and drug abuse on campus, are a part of eleven strategies identified nationally to help with the problem of alcohol and drug abuse on college campuses.
FSU uses nine out of the eleven strategies, including the Alcohol Education course that entering freshmen are required to take, FSU's policy of notifying parents of underage citations that occur, peer engagement such as the 'BURG program, among others.
Student Laura Shelley, "[doesn't] understand why people lie on anonymous surveys." She doesn't believe that the numbers are accurate; she thinks people are not telling the truth for one reason or another. As far as the survey goes, 423 students out of the 4,204 students enrolled does not seem to be much of a sample, which could be the reason why numerous students some even approaching their Senior year have yet to be asked the survey questions.
In 2006, the percentage of FSU students consuming alcohol was 76%, now it has dropped more than 10% at 69.5%. To some, these numbers may be questionable because of Frostburg's reputation of being a party school, where unrecognized fraternities and sororities drink to their hearts content. But, President Gibralter feels that the numbers are "pretty accurate," and that when he took over as president the campus was facing a problem with students being involved in binge drinking.
The data found from this survey is used for "prevention activities, including its social norms marketing campaign" on campus. The flyers posted around campus, stating supposed facts about the alcohol and drug abuse on campus, are a part of eleven strategies identified nationally to help with the problem of alcohol and drug abuse on college campuses.
FSU uses nine out of the eleven strategies, including the Alcohol Education course that entering freshmen are required to take, FSU's policy of notifying parents of underage citations that occur, peer engagement such as the 'BURG program, among others.
Student Laura Shelley, "[doesn't] understand why people lie on anonymous surveys." She doesn't believe that the numbers are accurate; she thinks people are not telling the truth for one reason or another. As far as the survey goes, 423 students out of the 4,204 students enrolled does not seem to be much of a sample, which could be the reason why numerous students some even approaching their Senior year have yet to be asked the survey questions.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Customer Survey Software
posted 1/15/10 @ 12:32 PM EST
I agree, this is a very small sample. In fact 10% or less as respondants barely leaves any room for an accurate conclusion. Good luck in improving the take up rate. (Continued…)
samueljaxon
Research Papers
posted 2/04/10 @ 5:42 AM EST
423 students out of the 4,204 students enrolled is great!
Post a Comment