About the SEE Center
Research on the magnitude of college drinking* demonstrates that high-risk drinking contributes to:
- 1,700 Student deaths
- 600,000 injuries
- 97,000 cases of sexual assault
The SEE Center implements comprehensive programs to lower student consumption and negative consequences associated with high-risk drinking. We utilize and Environmental Management perspective which emphasizes collaboration between university departments and students, as well as, relationships with community stakeholders.
The reduction of risks is accomplished through:
- Empirical research to determine prevalence of high-risk behaviors and associated negative consequences
- Identification of environment and cultural influences of high-risk drinking
- Modification of prevention approaches through careful evaluation of campus and community needs
History
In 2001 the Princeton Review named the University of Tennessee as the number one party school in America. While this designation was not determined by research-based methods, the selection did spark concern on campus. In 2002, the University of Tennessee acknowledged the nature and scope of the issue and attempted to address it by organizing the Safety, Environment, and Education (SEE) Committee.
The formation of this campus task force demonstrated concern and desires to combat the issue. The SEE Committee was established under the suggestions of the Robert Wood Johnson Presidential Leadership Group, an assembly of administrators, students, researchers, and prevention specialists. Plans for the formation of the SEE Committee were presented and accepted by the UT Chancellor and his staff in December of 2003. The Chancellor and his staff agreed to fund and actively support the Safety, Environment, and Education (SEE) Center. The creation of the SEE Center afforded UT with a central department to address alcohol-related needs and services. Currently, the SEE Committee has grown to over 50 administrators, faculty,students, and community organization representatives.
Since it’s inception in 2004, the SEE Center has conducted annual prevalence surveys in order to assess the environmental and cultural influences associated with student safety, as well as the prevalence of high-risk behaviors and related negative consequences. The SEE Committee has also established several subcommittees addressing other safety issues on campus such as violence against women, suicide prevention, and healthy lifestyles.
The SEE Center collaborates with external constituents such as the Historic Fort Sander's Neighborhood Association, Cumberland Avenue Merchants Association, Metropolitan Drug Commission and Safe Haven Center in efforts to reduce risk and promote campus safety. Constituents such as local bar owners and residents from the community surrounding the UT campus also assist the SEE Center in the accomplishment of its goals.
Indications of success since the formation of the SEE Center include a 27% reduction in high-risk drinking (defined as consumption of five or more drinks for men and four or more drinks for women during one sitting in the past two weeks) and a 44% reduction in frequent high-risk drinking (defined as high-risk drinking three or more times in the past two weeks).
*Hingson, R., Heeren, T., Winter, M., & Wechsler, H. (2005). Magnitude of alcohol-related mortality and morbidity among U.S. college students ages 18-24: changes from 1998 to 2001. Annual Review of Public Health, 26, 259-279.