Fraternity & Sorority Programs

Gordie CASE is working with student leaders to implement a three year, $675,600 grant from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism to reduce negative consequences of drinking among fraternity and sorority members. The project focuses on individual and chapter-wide programs to correct misperceptions of peers’ drinking levels and protective behaviors.

 

Research has shown that students consistently misperceive the drinking habits of their peers, often overestimating how much alcohol their peers consume which may increase their own alcohol consumption. Studies also show that students underestimate their peers’ protective behaviors (taking away a drunk friend’s car keys, for example) when alcohol is being consumed. When students’ misperceptions are corrected, their negative behaviors decrease.

 

UVA’s four Greek governing councils were involved in the grant planning process and continue to play an essential role in the execution of the intervention strategies by promoting active student involvement, leadership, and participation within the Greek system. The four governing councils include the National Pan-Hellenic Council, the Inter-Fraternity Council, the Inter-Sorority Council, and the Multicultural Greek Council.

 

Gordie CASE received grant funding for this project in January of 2005. The year one progress report submitted to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on November 1, 2005 is available if you would like additional information. View Progress Report

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