Preventing alcohol-related problems at the University of Arizona's homecoming: An environmental management case study

In 1995, the University of Arizona installed and publicized new policies to provide better alcohol control during its annual home-coming event. System atic observation at pregame tents revealed that, compared to 1994, these po licies led to a lower percentage of tents selling alcohol, elimination of b eer kegs, greater availability of food and nonalcoholic beverages, the pres ence of hired bartenders to serve alcohol, and systems for identification c hecks. These changes were still in evidence through 1998. In 1995, campus p olice also saw a downward shift in the number of neighborhood calls for com plaints related to homecoming activities, which was maintained through 1998 . Statistics on law enforcement actions were inconsistent. There was a shar p drop in 1995, but 1996 and 1998 saw enforcement levels similar to what wa s seen prior to the new policies. This case study underscores the importanc e of environmental management strategies for campus-based alcohol and other drug prevention.