Student alcohol consumption in university residences: An institutional ethnographic inquiry

The study explores the influence of alcohol culture on first-year students living in residences across five Canadian universities. High rates of heavy episodic drinking, driven by social norms and the desire for integration, remain a pressing issue. Using institutional ethnography, researchers analyzed interviews with 51 students and 26 residence staff, along with 30 policies on drinking and wellness. The study emphasizes that cultural influences on drinking are often overlooked in harm reduction strategies. By fostering inclusive, supportive policies and small cultural shifts, institutions can encourage safer and more responsible drinking practices, promoting a healthier campus environment. Study funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)