We polled and…Spartans take care of each other if they choose to drink.
At Michigan State University, most students who choose to drink do so moderately. If someone chooses not to drink, that decision is supported by the majority of their fellow students. If a student has too much to drink and needs medical attention, fellow students are prepared to make the call to make sure they are okay.
How do we know?
MSU participates in the National College Health Assessment (NCHA) survey through our membership in the American College Health Association (ACHA). The NCHA was first conducted at MSU in the year 2000 and has been repeated every two years since then, with the most recent survey being conducted in 2024.
The NCHA survey covers a wide range of health-related topics including perceived health status, sexual behaviors and beliefs, alcohol-tobacco-drug behavior and beliefs, injury prevention, disease prevention and screening, victimization, exercise and rest, emotional and mental health, incidents of disease or injury, incidents of stressors, sources and credibility of health information, and background questions.
In addition to the NCHA survey, MSU collects in-depth data around student celebratory behavior through the annual UCelebrate survey, conducted by the National Social Norms Center.
The Office for Survey Research, through the MSU Institute for Public Policy and Social Research (IPPSR) manages the sampling, respondent contacts, follow-ups, incentives, data weighting, analysis and reporting for both surveys.
So what does the data tell us?
We polled, and we heard from a representative sample of Spartans*:
- 9 out of 10 of Spartans stick with their friends while drinking.
- 96% of MSU students approve of choosing not to drink any alcohol at all.
- 64% of Spartans keep track of how many drinks they have to make sure they do not drink too much.
- 97% of MSU students approve of getting medical help for a friend who had too much to drink.
- 9 out of 10 of Spartans plan ahead to get home safely when they drink.
- 75% of Spartans cut themselves off before they have too much to drink.
- 92% of Spartans look out for their friends to keep them safe when they drink.
*Data: 2024 MSU NSNC U Celebrate Survey, N=786
Medical Amnesty: See. Call. Stay.
Make the call. In Michigan, students who are under the legal drinking age may now reasonably expect that if they seek medical assistance for themselves or a friend when there are health care concerns related to alcohol use, they will not face criminal prosecution.
In addition, MSU's medical amnesty policy supports students seeking medical care for themselves or others in case of intoxication or injury. With medical amnesty, there is no reason not to call 911 if you are worried about a friend you think might need medical care. If you see a friend in trouble, make the call, then stay with them until help arrives. Learn more about MSU's medical amnesty policy.