Q1 - .Is the UACAI against drinking?
Q2 - Are community members allowed to attend meetings involving the University
Advisory Committee on Alcohol Issues (UACAI)?
Q3 - What are the primary functions of the UACAI.
Q4 - Why is the UACAI focusing their attention on a social norms marketing campaign?
Q5 - Is there a great deal of drinking at KSU?
Q6 - What are some of the examples of social norming messages from the “Thinking About Your Drinking?” campaign.
Q7 - When and where are UACAI meetings typically held?
Q8 - If I want to attend a meeting, do I need to contact the Co-Chairs of the UACAI?
Q9 - Does the UACAI focus just on alcohol issues?
Q10 - How do you become an appointed member to the UACAI?
Q11 - How can I become a UACAI listserve member?
Q12 - What role can students play on the UACAI?
Q13 - Is the UACAI the same group as the Coalition to Reduce Binge Drinking?

Q1 - Is the UACAI against drinking?

A1 – The UACAI is not against drinking and it does not advocate for so-called "zero tolerance" policies. The UACAI is a group of students, staff, faculty, and community members who are concerned about alcohol-related harm. The UACAI seeks to reduce harm through non-coercive means.


Q2 - Are community members allowed to attend meetings involving the University Advisory Committee on Alcohol Issues (UACAI)?


A2 - Yes! The UACAI meetings are open to anyone who has an interest in addressing issues related to the use and misuse of alcohol.


Q3 – What are the primary functions of the UACAI.

A3 – Two primary functions of the UACAI include: (1) Implementation and Assessment of a Campus-Wide Information Campaign (use survey data to document that most KSU students do not drink or they use alcohol sensibly) and (2) Alcohol Policy Development (assist various campus units with establishing or refining their policies related to the use of alcohol).

Q4 - Why is the UACAI focusing their attention on a social norms marketing campaign?

A4 – A determinant of alcohol misuse at KSU is the misperceived drinking norms that exist on campus. Consistent with published studies on college student drinking norms, KSU students grossly exaggerate the amount of drinking going on around them. Thus, even though the rates of alcohol misuse are somewhat high at KSU, a very large majority of students perceive the norm for these behaviors to be even greater. It is likely that many KSU students rely on this exaggerated or mistaken norm to make personal choices about drinking. Preliminary studies suggest that some students will restrain their drinking if they learn that it is “beyond the norm”. With this in mind, a social norms media campaign called “Thinking About Your Drinking?” is being implemented to educate students about the true rates of alcohol use at KSU.

Q5 - Is there a great deal of drinking at KSU?

A5 – We tend to pay a lot of attention to vivid and striking incidents involving relatively small numbers of intoxicated students. We tend to not notice the ordinary behavior of the majority who do not drink or drink lightly. These tendencies create grossly exaggerated perceptions of the “drinking norm” at KSU.

Q6– What are some of the examples of social norming messages from the “Thinking About Your Drinking?” campaign.

A6 - 59% OF KSU STUDENTS DRINK LESS THAN ONCE A WEEK
68% OF KSU STUDENTS HAVE 4 OR FEWER DRINKS WHEN THEY PARTY.
Based on survey data collected by the Office of Student Health Promotion (2000) from a representative sample of undergraduates on the Kent Campus.

Q7 - When and where are UACAI meetings typically held?

A7 – Meetings are typically held quarterly in the Kent Student Center. Meeting times vary throughout the semester. Contact Scott Dotterer (sdottere@kent.edu) for the date and time of the next UACAI meeting.

Q8 - If I want to attend a meeting, do I need to contact the Co-Chairs of the UACAI?

A8 – No. However, if you have never attended a meeting, it would be helpful to contact Scott Dotterer (sdottere@kent.edu) to review the upcoming agenda. Due to time limitations, the agenda for each meeting is followed closely.

Q9 - Does the UACAI focus just on alcohol issues?

A9 - The mission and goals of the UACAI are directed toward alcohol-related harm, but does not exclude issues related to other drug use.

Q10 - How do you become an appointed member to the UACAI?

A10 - The UACAI consists of 12-14 appointed members. UACAI members are nominated to serve on this committee for a one or two-year term. If you are interested in serving as an appointed member, contact Scott Dotterer (sdottere@kent.edu). Appointed members are limited to Kent State University students, faculty, and staff. Non-appointed members are always welcome.

Q11 - How can I become a UACAI listserve member?

A11 – You can become a listserve member by attending any UACAI meeting or contacting Scott Dotterer (sdottere@kent.edu).

Q12 - What role can students play on the UACAI?

A12 – Become articulate in the language of the Misperceived Norms Model. The normative messages displayed in the “Thinking About Your Drinking?” campaign can be shared with friends. This information will challenge students to think differently about their drinking and that of their peers. We encourage all students to think about their drinking and compare it to that of other KSU students. Be aware that most KSU students do not misuse alcohol.

Q13 - Is the UACAI the same group as the Coalition to Reduce Binge Drinking?

A13 - This new group is not the defunct “Coalition to Reduce Binge Drinking.”