The Policy Formulation Process

Almost without exception, individual policy documents contained little or no

detail on how these policies had been produced. Just one document described

the policy formulation process as having gone  through  a number of different

phases. Generally, these documents mentioned the policy formulation process

in a rather cursory way,  with only four of the 18 documents analysed

commenting specifically on the work which had been done to create

partnerships,  either within campuses or with external groups. 

Just four of the policy documents gave an explicit commitment to carrying out

research on the drinking habits of their students so as to develop a profile

against which policy success might be evaluated, while a fifth presented the

findings from a completed qualitative study of staff and student attitudes

towards  alcohol.  Other documents contained somewhat less definitive

suggestions as to  how student  drinking habits might be monitored. 

Policy Content

Analysis of the content of these 18 documents clearly demonstrates the extent

to which they were influenced by the guidelines laid down in the national

framework document.  All contained measures aimed at controlling the

advertisement and marketing of alcohol on campus, and at curbing the role of

the drinks industry in sponsoring student societies or specific student events.

Most contained references to the importance of alcohol education and

awareness but, with the exception of seven colleges which listed specific

educational initiatives, these references seemed vague and aspirational.

Amongst the specific  educational proposals were the following:  

  publicising of the college alcohol policy and promotion of low risk drinking

through  student handbooks, the student press or student radio stations,

email, poster campaigns and notice boards; 

  advertising of the alcohol policy during  orientation / freshers' week  or

during welfare week; 

  provision of study skills and alcohol awareness programmes for students; 

  training college tutors in alcohol awareness. 

Although 14 of the 18 documents reviewed contained reference to the provision

of alcohol free alternatives for students, again just a few had concrete proposals

for how this might be done; these included proposals to arrange lunchtime,

evening  or  late night entertainment in alcohol free venues such as juice bars,

or simply the provision of television to allow for viewing of major sporting

events outside a pub setting. 

Finally, most policies reiterated the importance of providing support services for

students who are beginning to experience difficulties with their alcohol

consumption, and allocated primary responsibility for this function to student

health and counselling services, and to chaplaincies. 

62