When many people think of college, drinking and alcohol quickly come to mind. These stereotypes are supported by a national study by a 1999 Harvard School of Public Health which found that two out of five college students (44 percent) were binge or risky drinkers.

“Drinking on campus is a national problem,” Counseling Services Director P.J. Kennedy said. “Many college students have problems taking a look at it and seeing if they need to make some adjustments.”

In an effort to raise awareness of the effects alcohol can have on a student’s life, on Thursday students can get their “drinking score” – a brief self-assessment about their drinking habits. Screening will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the west lobby of Davies, on the first floor of Hibbard and in the Haas Fine Arts building.

“National Alcohol Screening Day teaches students how to recognize a drinking problem, where you can go for help if you’re concerned about yourself or a friend and how abusing alcohol can affect your mind and body,” Kennedy said.

Free and open to the public, the anonymous, written self-test will be administered by peer counselors. Members of the campus social Greek organizations, who are sponsoring the event, will also help with the booths.

“This opportunity allows each organization to continue their commitment to giving back to the community and the campus,” said senior Erika Hiscox, member of Inter-Greek Council and Alpha Xi Delta.

“Six out of the 10 fraternities on campus are dry houses, which goes hand-in-hand with combating the stereotypes that you get nationally,” said junior Brian Gausman, president of Delta Sigma Phi.

Inter-Greek Council is also funding a program to allow UW-Eau Claire students to take an online customized alcohol screening test. The screening can be accessed at www.uwec.edu/counsel.

This opportunity helps students while they are in a safe place, and not forced to do anything, Kennedy said.

At each of the three booths, students will hear an educational presentation on the effects and dangers of alcohol abuse, have the opportunity to talk one-on-one with trained peer counselors and professional counseling staff, and if needed, be directed to support or treatment services on campus.

“If it helps one person, then it’s worthwhile,” Hiscox said.