There is much information available on student drinking but, to the best of
my knowledge, little historical study of the topic.  To pique interest, I
enclose a contemporary story re my own campus.

>Article from <http://newsinfo.muohio.edu>Miami University News and Public
>Information (http://newsinfo.muohio.edu)
>FROM: [log in to unmask]
>_______________________________________________________________
>This article is available online at:
>http://newsinfo.muohio.edu/news_display.cfm?mu_un_id=30150255
>_______________________________________________________________
>
>August 6, 2004
>
>What I did on vacation: AlcoholEdu
>
>All 3,500 entering freshmen at Miami will be required to complete a 2-3
>hour online alcohol prevention program before classes start Aug. 24.
>
>AlcoholEdu is used nationally at some 350 campuses, but company
>representatives say Miami is among the first 25 public universities to
>require all first-year students to participate.
>
>The program provides detailed information about alcohol and its effects
>and features interactive exercises and case studies. It is designed to be
>taken in 15-20 minute increments over a two-week period.
>
>Each student's online experience is customized based on gender and
>individual drinking patterns. For example, students who don't drink will
>find that behavior reinforced while those who may be coming to campus as
>heavy drinkers will receive information about the physical and
>psychological dangers of alcohol as well as the academic risks.
>
>(Note: AlcoholEdu for College maintains a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week
>technical hot line for students with questions about accessing the course.
>Call 866-384-9062.)
>
>Reaction from parents and students has been positive, says Karen Murray,
>director of health education at Miami.
>
>"Parents appreciate that the university is being proactive and not
>ignoring problem drinking. They're surprised at the comprehensive nature
>of our alcohol education efforts," she said.
>
>The university also promotes late night non-alcohol events and is involved
>in a "social norms" marketing campaign to encourage wise decisions about
>drinking, she explained.
>
>Miami's contract for the AlcoholEdu for College program totals $29,600.
>All costs are covered through a $300,000 grant from the U.S. Department of
>Education that Miami successfully competed for.
>
>Researchers from Miami's physical education, health and sport studies
>department will be evaluating the success of the program in changing
>attitudes, behaviors and knowledge about alcohol among first-year students.
>
>Nationally, many college presidents define alcohol abuse as one of the
>most serious problems on campus. College officials point out that student
>drinking has documented consequences:
>
>--About 25 percent of college students report academic consequences of
>their drinking, including missing class, doing poorly on exams and
>receiving lowers grades overall (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and
>Alcoholism).
>
>--One in 20 college women reported being raped during the school year and
>75 percent of them said they were intoxicated when the assault occurred
>(Harvard School of Public Health College Alcohol Study).
>
>--At least 1,400 college students between the ages of 18 and 24 die each
>year from alcohol-related injuries such as auto accidents, falls, etc.
>(National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism).
>
>For additional information click
><http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/facts/snapshot.aspx>here.