SENATE RESOLUTION CALLS FOR COLLEGES TO WAGE WAR ON BINGE DRINKING

The Senate approved a resolution Tuesday urging college administrators to
take specific steps to combat binge drinking. The measure, sponsored by Sen.
Joseph R. Biden, Jr., calls for colleges and universities to appoint
committees to set alcohol regulations, provide alcohol-free social
activities, eliminate sponsorship by beverage companies of on-campus events,
and enforce a zero-tolerance policy against underage drinking.

Growing numbers of colleges have already taken such steps, in response to a
series of high-profile alcohol-related deaths on college campuses in recent
years.

"Last year alone, there were at least 18 college students who died in
binge-drinking incidents -- drinking so much so fast that it literally
killed them," said Mr. Biden, a Delaware Democrat. "They were not the only
kids who suffered from excessive drinking. You can bet that at the very
least, if a student lives in a dorm room next to a binge drinker, he or she
won't get many peaceful nights of sleep and study. It is time to get smart."

Mr. Biden cited the efforts of the University of Delaware, which has
recently stiffened its penalties and changed its judicial system.

The resolution was part of the bill to extend the Higher Education Act.

Copyright 1998 by The Chronicle of Higher Education

Checked-by: Rolf Ernst