Freshmen alcohol use in college living/learning communities vs. traditional housing: An advancement in binge drinking management?

From 2004 to 2005, a study was conducted at a large Mid Atlantic University to examine college health risk behaviors between incoming freshmen residing in specialized living/learning dormitories versus incoming freshmen residing in residential housing. Amongst the most significant findings is the difference in alcohol use in the beginning of the academic year and the end of the academic year. When arriving to campus, incoming freshmen in Living/Learning communities report lower levels of alcohol consumption than their traditionally housed peers. 62.2% of freshmen residing in specialized resident halls report having a history of absolute alcohol abstinence with a further 18.9% reporting not drinking or moderate consumption (one or two drinks) in the 30 days prior to the survey. In contrast, 7.7% of incoming freshmen in traditional dormitories report abstaining from alcohol in the 30 days prior to the survey. Based on the data collected from the Fall 2004 survey and the Spring 2005 survey, of all the students who have had alcohol, fewer students in the living/learning community report binge drinking, or having more than five drinks in a row (Fall χ² = 39.6, p<.001; Spring χ²= 39.6, p<.001).

Currently, a similar study examining the effects on Living/Learning Communities on the alcohol intake of college freshmen is taking place at a medium sized urban University of 12,000 undergraduate students in the mid Atlantic region. The researcher hopes to share these results, a brief analysis and learning outcomes with her prior results from 2004-2005.