Data and Reports | Alcohol Resources

AlcoholEdu for College is an online, two-hour, customized alcohol educational course required for all incoming first-year students. Used by over 500 institutions around the country, AlcoholEdu applies science-based research to educate students about alcohol and its effects.

Data in this report are based on responses from 3,278 students at Miami University who completed all three AlcoholEdu for College surveys in the fall 2016. Where available, data is benchmarked against the national aggregate (N=340,510). 

Profile of Students' Drinking Behavior

• 21% of students reported drinking in a high risk way, when measured midway through the fall term of their first year. 
• 17% of students reported not drinking in the past two weeks, with 29% indicating not drinking in the past year.
• 81% of students, after completing AlcoholEdu, reported that the course prepared them to make responsible decisions about drinking. 

Drinking-Related Risk Behaviors

Measured midway through the fall term of first year, the most common drinking-related risk behaviors that Miami students engage in are Pregaming and Doing Shots. 

Two of the most frequently reported negative consequences of drinking are Had a Hangover (55%, compared to 47% national average) and Blacked Out (44%, compared to 34% national average). 

Students reported that some of the most important reasons not to drink are because I'm going to drive and that I don't want to spend the money. 

Peak Drinking Days

In the survey about midway through first semester, data from 1,812 first year students demonstrates that the average number of drinks consumed is highest on Saturdays first, Fridays second, and Thursdays third over the three week period measured. This trend is consistent with national data from first year students (n=155,125). However, the average number of drinks consumed by Miami first year students shows a weekly increase on Tuesdays of 1-2 drinks, not seen in the national data.

Where Students Drink

The most common locations where Miami first year students report consuming alcohol in the past two weeks (n=1,812) include: 

• Bar or nightclub: 50% (compared with 11% national average)
• Off-campus residence or fraternity/sorority: 27% (compared with 41% national average)
• On-campus residence: 8% (compared with 17% national average)

Impact of AlcoholEdu

Students reported, after completing the AlcoholEdu course, that the program: 

• Prepared them to prevent an alcohol overdose (80%)
• Prepared them to help someone who may have alcohol poisoning (85%)
• Helped them establish a plan ahead of time to make responsible decisions about drinking (81%)
• Changed their perceptions of others' drinking behavior (54%)

They also reported an increase in several positive behavioral intentions, including:

• Reduce the number of drinks
• Reduce drinking frequency
• Alternate drink type
• Pace drinks
• Set a limit

Among the 59% of high risk drinkers (456 students) who saw "no need to change the way they drink" before taking the AlcholEdu course, 66% of those students (300 students) indicated their readiness to change after completing the course. 

Sexual Misconduct

• Since entering Miami, over 31% of women and about 15% of men report being a victim/survivor of some form of sexual misconduct on or away from campus (ranging from unwanted sexual contact to rape)
• Victim/survivors report to campus authorities about 7% of the time, with the most common reason being that they “did not think that the incident was serious enough," with the next most common being "did not want any action taken," and "did not need any assistance." Of those giving a reason for not reporting, less than 6% indicated they "did not know how to contact" or report the incident.
• Over 92% of respondents report being at least a “little” knowledgeable about where to make a report of sexual misconduct, and almost 94% report knowing where to get help if needed
• Students (87%) indicate they have received training on the prevention of sexual misconduct, and almost 64% believe the training was at least "somewhat useful"
• About 90% believe that Miami is at least "somewhat likely" to take seriously reports received about sexual assault

Alcohol Use

• About 30% of students indicate that they are non-drinkers (abstain and/or have not had a drink in the last month)
• About half of Miami students report that they “binged” on alcohol in the last 30 days
• About 42% of those taking the survey report that they have attended Late Night Miami (alcohol-free) programming, and those attending rate the programs highly (4.0+ on a five-point scale)

Mental Health

• 23.6% of respondents report that they have used Miami’s student counseling service
• Almost all students (>95%) responding to the survey indicate that they at least "somewhat agree" that they would willingly accept someone as a friend who has received mental health treatment
• Most students (~78%) report knowing where to go on campus for professional help for mental or emotional health
• Although ~28% of respondents disagree that they feel a sense of belonging at Miami, most (88%) agree that they have a group of friends with whom they feel connected, accepted, and supported