

UUK, in collaboration with Newcastle University, has launched Initiations at UK universities to raise awareness of the dangers of initiations and excessive alcohol consumption among students.
The briefing includes a consensus statement on the best way forward from stakeholders across the university and health sectors, examples of emerging good practice, and recommendations for universities including the following:
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Adopt a clear definition of what constitutes an initiation which focuses on prohibited behaviours
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Foster cross-working and a whole university approach. This means including work to prevent initiations as part of strategies to tackle harassment and promote good wellbeing and mental health
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Evaluate new initiatives and share knowledge and good practice, continuously assessing progress being made
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Update or develop policies and practices to explicitly refer to initiation events and the problems that arise from them
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Ensure proportionate disciplinary processes and sanctions are in place, noting that a “zero tolerance approach” is unhelpful as it implies initiations do not happen
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Provide clear reporting systems and advertise support available to students
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Raise awareness of initiations and their risks among students and staff
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Organise appropriate staff training, identifying the levels of training needed for different staff. First responders will need the most training, for example.
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Work with the local council, licensees and partners to ensure the campus environment promotes responsible behaviours towards drinking
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Work with alumni to encourage an increased sense of responsibility for the safety of student groups and societies of which they were a part