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Background

The social and academic life on college campus can be enriched by a

college environment that supports and encourages students to make

choices conducive to positive health and well being. The National Working

Group on Alcohol in Higher Education, while addressing the specific issue

of alcohol, also recognised the need for a holistic and integrated approach

for student well being. The genesis for the College Lifestyle and Attitudinal

National (CLAN) survey came from implementing the Framework Document

for Developing a College Alcohol Policy and was in keeping with the Health

Promoting College Model. The concept underpinning the Health Promoting

College Model is that the university can support and facilitate healthy

choices for students and staff by creating a healthy working, learning and

living environment. 

The Higher Education Authority, the Department of Education and Science

and the Consultative Group on Health Promoting Colleges supported this

important initiative and encouraged college participation. The Health

Promotion Unit of the Department of Health and Children provided the

expertise to guide and co ordinate the process, the funding for the survey

development and questionnaire, central data input, data analysis and the

production of the final report.  The only cost to each college was the

distribution and collection of the questionnaire among their students. The

CLAN survey was conducted on the understanding that no college

comparisons would take place, as the purpose was to establish a national

student profile of lifestyle habits and to utilise this evidence in planning for

student needs.

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