Saxion introduces alcohol prevention policy
Saxion, together with the Netherlands Association of Universities of Applied Sciences, is committed through the National Prevention Agreement to reduce problematic alcohol use among students. To help achieve this Saxion introduced an alcohol prevention policy in March 2023, in addition to the existing national NIX18 alcohol policy.
About the alcohol prevention policy
Saxion’s alcohol prevention policy aims to reduce problematic alcohol use among students. It also forbids the bringing or drinking of alcoholic beverages purchased elsewhere into a Saxion building. It is only permitted to drink alcohol during special events (new year event, graduation for example) and at the catering facilities inside Saxion, such as Café Pafraet in Deventer and Grand Café in Enschede. An exception has been made for rooms used by student associations, where light alcoholic beverages (e.g. beer and wine) may be consumed after 16:00. Consuming alcoholic beverages in these rooms is tolerated but there are guidelines that apply which we have passed on to the student associations.
Follow-up steps
Saxion is taking new measures through the introduction of its alcohol prevention policy that will contribute to reducing and/or preventing problematic alcohol use among students, in line with the National Prevention Agreement. Among other initiatives, staff and students will receive relevant information on the subject and training sessions will be developed for specific groups such as student association boards. Saxion will be drawing up protocols for staff and student association boards about what to do in the event of excessive alcohol consumption. Efforts are being put into alcohol covenants with student associations and societies which set out how to prevent problematic alcohol use. This includes ‘De Generaal’ clubhouse in Enschede as well as association rooms in Saxion buildings. There is already a covenant with student association ‘De Pakkerij’ in Enschede. Saxion is going to provide a range of alcohol free beverages alongside the alcoholic and soft drinks that are currently available during special events and at Saxion catering facilities and there will be no advertising of alcoholic drinks.
Saxion calls for cooperation to help create a safe and healthy environment for everyone at Saxion and to work together on a responsible alcohol policy.