STARR is an alcohol misuse and abuse prevention program based on the social norms theory. Social norms theory is a "state the facts" policy. When most student-athletes enter college, they have the misperception that the majority of their peers are drinking frequently and heavily. In reality, this is not the case. To discover actual behaviors, student-athletes are surveyed to reveal their true behavior or "norm." Statistics collected from the survey are used to educate the student-athlets, through print or electronic media, about what they and their peers are really doing. Print media might include posters, newspaper advertisements, trinkets and other items bearing social norms messages. Electronic media might include screen savers on campus computers or e-mails to student-athletes posting social norms messages. Institutions can also use social norms to promote positive campus culture by producing messages related to topics that build community. Alcohol abuse continues to be a major concern on most college campuses and within intercollegiate athletics departments. However, there are many student-athletes making healthy, safe and responsible decisions. STARR is an innovative approach to addressing the issue of alcohol abuse by highlighting the responsible behavior of the majority.
Eight institutions received a $15,000 grant to participate in the two-year STARR pilot from fall 2001 through spring 2003. Each institution was responsible for forming a team and creating a social norms campaign reflecting it unique norms and campus culture.
Institutions began by attending a two-day orientation to learn about social norms theory, key elements to implementing a successful campaign, how to administer the student-athlete survey and an overview of the electronic media software. Institutions surveyed their student-athlete population in fall 2001 to determine their normative behavior. Between January and March 2002 they received their statistics from consultants Wes Perkins and David Craig. In spring 2002, institutions developed print media from their survey results to be posted in spring or fall 2002 when the student-athletes returned to campus. The consultants traveled to each institution in summer 2002 to conduct electronic media software instruction. Starting August 2002 all institutions implemented a print media campaign. In November 2002 institutions administered their second survey to determine if their efforts showed a change in student-athlete misperceptions or behaviors regarding alcohol use.
At the time of the second survey, student-athletes had only three to six months of program exposure, from late spring 2002 to November 2002. Five of the eight institutions felt this was not enough time to produce measurable change and proposed the STARR program continue for a third year. The Division III Initiatives Task Force approved funding for 2003-04 for five institutions. Five of the eight institutions were awarded a $7,500 grant in September 2003 to continue their prevention efforts through May 2004. The findings presented reflect the change measured only from Survey 1 to Survey 2, or the three to six month period the institutions were able to expose their student-athletes to social norms messages.
Congratulations to the eight Division III institutions who participated in the pilot STARR program. They have completed the 2 year pilot. Click on the links below for examples of their print media.
STUDENT-ATHLETE IMPACT (Full-time, Undergraduate)
Note: All statistics reported from the NCAA Membership Database.
Total Student-Athletes | |||
Institutions | 2001-02 | 2002-03 | 2003-04 |
| 680 | 433 | N/A |
| 380 | 298 | N/A |
Eastern | 300 | 290 | N/A |
| 200 | 200 | N/A |
| 460 | 442 | N/A |
| 201 | 187 | N/A |
SUNY | 600 | 600 | N/A |
| 661 | 679 | N/A |
TOTAL STUDENT-ATHLETES Impacted: | 3,482 | 3,129 | Available May |
POTENTIAL STUDENT IMPACT (Full-time, Undergraduate)
Note: All statistics reported from the NCAA Membership Database.
Total Student Enrollment | |||
Institutions | 2001-02 | 2002-03 | 2003-04 |
| 3005 | 2964 | N/A |
| 2902 | 2009 | N/A |
Eastern | 3479 | 3479 | N/A |
| 1187 | 1187 | N/A |
| 1579 | 1579 | N/A |
| 880 | 819 | N/A |
SUNY | 5603 | 5603 | N/A |
| 2973 | 2973 | N/A |
TOTAL POTENTIAL STUDENTS Impacted: | 21,608 | 20,613 | Available May |
In summary, the STARR pilot shows the following positive trends:
1. Corrected inflated misperceptions: Six of eight institutions showed measurable change toward
correcting inflated misperceptions that most student-athletes abuse alcohol or participate in other risky
behaviors (e.g., tobacco use).
2. Decreased personal use: Half of the institutions showed a decrease in personal alcohol use or
frequency of use.
3. Decreased negative consequences and increased positive behaviors: Half of the institutions showed an
increase in other healthy behaviors (e.g., more time studying, meeting with faculty, volunteering).
4. Success of social norms to make change: Analysis indicates that the above goals were accomplished
through social norms campaigns. Click here to view specific data.
5. Division III implementation capabilities: All eight Division III institutions successfully implemented a
print media campaign. Seven of the eight institutions successfully implemented an electronic media
campaign.
The STARR pilot social norms campaigns have shown measurable change toward correcting misperceptions, decreasing personal use, decreasing negative consequences and increasing positive behaviors in just three to six months. Additionally, the pilot added an additional year (2003-04) for five of the eight institutions to determine if more than three to six months was needed to produce significant positive results. The results of Survey 3 and further evaluation of the third year will be available at a later date.
Sarah MacInnis
Assistant Director of Education Outreach
317/917-6222
smacinnis@ncaa.org
© The National Collegiate Athletic Association