Lana Oconnell
Alcohol consumption among students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) has been a topic of discussion and concern for the university and the wider community. While the university has implemented various initiatives to address high-risk drinking and binge drinking on campus, the prevalence of alcohol consumption among students remains an issue. In this discussion, we will explore the extent of alcohol use among UNL students, the university's efforts to mitigate risks associated with alcohol consumption, and the impact of alcohol culture on the campus community.
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What You'll Learn
Binge drinking rates
Binge drinking has been a concern at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). In 1997, the university began a concerted effort to lower the binge drinking rate among students, which at the time was at 62%. This effort was supported by a prestigious grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, which led to the development of NU Directions—a campus and community partnership designed to influence change through environmental policy, enforcement, and education. By 2015, the prevalence of students who binged on at least one occasion in the past two weeks had decreased to 38%. However, in the fall of 2016, there was an uptick in the number of students requiring medical attention due to acute alcohol intoxication, indicating an increased need for campus and community intervention.
According to a 2024 report, binge drinking rates among all ages of students at UNL had fallen from a high of 62.5% in 1997 to 20% in 2024. Additionally, 92% of first-year students reported either abstaining from alcohol or drinking without binging. This positive trend can be attributed to various factors, such as students' personal beliefs, values, and awareness of the negative consequences of high-risk drinking. In the same year, 66% of UNL students reported not using marijuana in any form in the past year.
Despite these improvements, high-risk drinking remains a challenge at UNL. The university has implemented various measures to address this issue, such as the Campus-Community Alcohol Partnership, which aims to provide practical tips for planning and hosting safe and responsible parties, increase opportunities for socialising without alcohol, and explore partnerships to strengthen the consistency of messages around alcohol expectations and policies.
The university also has specific policies and procedures regarding the service of alcohol on campus. Alcoholic beverages are generally allowed at private university events, university or non-university private events, public events, and academic courses or research where alcohol is part of the curriculum. However, there are strict guidelines regarding the service and consumption of alcohol, including distinct containers for alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, maximum occupancy limits, and restricted service hours. These policies aim to promote responsible drinking and ensure the safety and well-being of the university community.
Furthermore, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has designated certain campus buildings for event rentals, encouraging campus departments to use only approved venues for serving alcohol. The university also requires an application and permit for serving alcohol on campus, with specific regulations for different categories of events. These regulations extend to athletic events, with the University of Nebraska Board of Regents approving alcohol sales at all athletic events across the NU system, including Memorial Stadium and university sporting events. While some have raised concerns about binge drinking on game days, the university aims to balance economic considerations with student safety and responsible drinking habits.
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Underage drinking
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) has a long history of alcohol consumption on its campus. In fact, the university's decision to relocate to the outskirts of Lincoln in the past was influenced by the belief that it would make it less convenient for students to access alcohol in the downtown area. Despite this intention, the university has continued to face challenges related to alcohol consumption, especially among underage students.
In recent years, UNL has made significant efforts to address the issue of underage drinking. The university recognises that students, especially those in their first year, face challenges in navigating alcohol use. To promote responsible drinking and reduce high-risk behaviour, UNL implemented the Campus-Community Alcohol Partnership. This initiative aims to provide students with practical tips for planning and hosting safe parties, increase opportunities for socialising without alcohol, and enhance collaboration between various campus departments and security services to ensure consistent messaging and enforcement of alcohol-related policies.
The results of these efforts have been promising. In 2024, 92% of first-year students at UNL reported that they either abstained from alcohol or drank responsibly without binge drinking. Binge drinking rates among all students have also decreased significantly, falling from a high of 62.5% in 1997 to 20% in 2024. Additionally, 50.6% of students reported adopting protective behaviours, such as avoiding drinking games and setting a limit on the number of drinks in advance.
However, despite these improvements, high-risk drinking remains a concern. In 2016, there was an increase in the number of students requiring medical attention due to acute alcohol intoxication. Additionally, the approval of alcohol sales at Memorial Stadium and university sporting events has sparked discussions about the potential impact on binge drinking. While some argue that it will increase safety on game days, others worry about the potential for excessive consumption.
UNL continues to work towards creating a culture of responsible drinking. The university provides resources and education to help students make informed choices, and it collaborates with local retailers and Greek organisations to implement contracts and diversion programs related to alcohol sales and service. These comprehensive approaches aim to foster a safer and healthier campus environment for all students, regardless of their age or drinking habits.
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Student beliefs and values
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) has a long history of alcohol consumption on its campus. In fact, the school's football program played its first game in 1890, and the team's nickname, the "Cornhuskers," was adopted in 1900. While the university has taken steps to address high-risk drinking and binge drinking among its students, alcohol remains a prominent part of the campus culture.
In 2024, 92% of first-year students at UNL reported that they either abstained from alcohol or did not binge drink. This is a significant improvement from 1997, when the binge drinking rate among all ages of students at UNL was 62.5%. However, high-risk drinking is still a concern, and the university has implemented various policies and programs to address this issue.
The beliefs and values of UNL students play a crucial role in shaping their drinking habits. In 2024, 65% of students reported that their personal beliefs and values influenced their decision not to drink or to drink responsibly. This reflects a growing awareness of the consequences of high-risk and binge drinking among the student body.
UNL students are increasingly prioritizing their health and well-being, academic responsibilities, and personal values over the peer pressure to engage in risky drinking behaviors. For example, 62% of students cited avoiding negative consequences as a factor in their choice to abstain from alcohol or drink in moderation. Additionally, 50% of students mentioned their academic responsibilities as a reason for not drinking or for limiting their alcohol consumption.
The university's efforts to provide accurate information and education about the risks of alcohol use have likely contributed to this shift in student beliefs and values. For instance, students are encouraged to adopt protective behaviors, such as avoiding drinking games, setting a number of drinks in advance, and eating before/during drinking to slow the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream.
Furthermore, UNL has implemented programs such as NU Directions, which aims to influence change through environmental policy, enforcement, and education. The university also offers a Campus-Community Alcohol Partnership that provides resources and support to students, including practical tips for planning and hosting safe and responsible parties.
In addition to individual beliefs and values, the cultural and social norms around alcohol at UNL are also evolving. The university's decision to approve alcohol sales at Memorial Stadium and university sporting events sparked discussions about binge drinking and the importance of educating students on responsible drinking habits. While some students and faculty expressed concerns about increasing alcohol availability, others argued that it would improve safety on game days by reducing binge drinking outside the stadium.
Overall, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln is committed to fostering a culture that respects and promotes the health and well-being of its students. By encouraging students to reflect on their beliefs and values and providing them with the resources to make informed choices, the university is helping to shape a generation that prioritizes responsible decision-making when it comes to alcohol consumption.
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Academic responsibilities
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) has a long history of alcohol consumption on its campus. In 1899, the university's football team was nicknamed the Cornhuskers, and the sale of alcohol at university sporting events was approved in 2023. Despite this, Nebraska remains a dry campus in principle.
In recent years, there has been a concerted effort to lower the binge drinking rate among students. Binge drinking rates among all ages of students at UNL have fallen from a high of 62.5% in 1997 to 20% in 2024. In 2024, 92% of first-year students at UNL reported that they either abstained from alcohol or did not binge drink. Additionally, 50% of students cited academic responsibilities as a reason for not drinking.
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln has implemented various measures to address alcohol consumption on campus. These include the development of NU Directions, a campus and community partnership designed to influence change through environmental policy, enforcement, and education. The university also has an Alcohol Services Permit policy, which outlines the rules for serving alcohol on campus. For example, alcoholic drinks must be served in distinct containers from non-alcoholic drinks, and alcohol may not be served before noon on weekdays or before 10:00 am on Saturdays.
The university also offers resources for students to make responsible choices regarding alcohol consumption. For example, the Campus-Community Alcohol Partnership provides practical tips for planning and hosting safe parties and encourages Greek new member classes to socialize without alcohol. The university also collaborates with local alcohol retailers to implement third-party contracts for Greek groups and student organizations.
Overall, while alcohol consumption remains a concern at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the university has made significant progress in reducing binge drinking rates and promoting responsible drinking among its students. The university's efforts to address this issue through policy changes, education, and partnerships demonstrate its commitment to creating a safe and healthy campus environment.
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Drinking locations
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) has a strict alcohol policy, and the campus is dry in principle. However, alcohol is served at events that fall into three categories. Firstly, private university events where attendees are not charged for the alcohol, and the alcohol is brought on campus by the event sponsor. Secondly, university or non-university private events or public events where alcohol is purchased from and served by an approved caterer. And thirdly, an academic course or research where alcohol consumption is part of the curriculum. All three categories require an application for approval, and the second category requires a Special Designated License (SDL).
Category 2 events are held at locations with a standing liquor license, including the AKRS Nebraska Champions Club, NIC Conference Center, and Wick Alumni Center. These events must be served by an experienced bartender hired through an approved caterer. Alcoholic drinks must be served in distinct containers from non-alcoholic drinks, and the number of attendees may not exceed maximum occupancy. Alcohol may not be served before noon on weekdays and 10 am on Saturdays, and service must end by midnight on weekdays and 12:30 am on weekends.
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln's third campus, Nebraska Innovation Campus, is the only NU campus that allows alcohol.
There are various restaurants and hotels near the university that serve alcohol, including Miller Time in the Cornhusker Hotel, which offers a "Date Night" special.
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Frequently asked questions
Although exact figures are not available, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) has a history of alcohol consumption among its students. In 1997, 62% of students reported binge drinking at least once in the past two weeks, which decreased to 38% in 2015. By 2024, 20% of students reported binge drinking, and 92% of first-year students reported abstaining from alcohol or not binge drinking.
UNL has specific policies and guidelines regarding the service and consumption of alcohol on campus. Alcohol is generally permitted at private university events, university or non-university private events, public events, and academic courses or research where alcohol is part of the curriculum. However, certain conditions and approvals are required for each category. Alcoholic drinks must be served in distinct containers, and there are restrictions on service hours and venue occupancy.
Yes, UNL has made concerted efforts to lower binge drinking rates among students. The Campus-Community Alcohol Partnership initiative aims to promote safe and responsible partying, increase social opportunities without alcohol, and improve communication about alcohol expectations and policies. The university also received a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to develop NU Directions, a program to influence change through environmental policy, enforcement, and education.
The University of Nebraska Board of Regents has approved alcohol sales at Memorial Stadium and other university sporting events. However, there are concerns about binge drinking, and the university is working on security and infrastructure plans to address these issues. Beer sales are already present at Husker basketball, baseball, and University of Nebraska-Omaha hockey games.
