York students spend £4m more on alcohol than groceries
Students at the University of York are spending more money per week on alcohol than on food, according to the findings of a recent survey.
The NatWest Student Living Index 2008 has revealed that those at York spend £11m a year on alcohol, whilst just £7m is spent on groceries.
Presented with the findings of the survey, YUSU Academic and Welfare Officer, Charlie Leyland, admitted that the results were concerning.
“The statistics are worrying,” Leyland said. “No one should feel they have to spend money on alcohol to have a good time.”
A number of students confirmed that alcohol consumes the largest percentage of their finances.
“It’s true,” admitted one second year History student who asked to remain anonymous. “I definitely spend more on alcohol than on food, but it’s part of the student lifestyle. Also, it’s much easier to eat cheaply than to drink cheaply. You can buy value brands of food, but you’re not going to drink value lager if you go out for a drink at night.”
Pro-Vice Chancellor for Students Jane Grenville said: “I’ve already made my views on binge drinking clear. Far be it for me to be a nanny Pro-Vice Chancellor, if students want to spend more than 10% of their money on alcohol, that’s really their choice. It probably is too much, but you know the risks.”
A survey at the end of the summer term revealed that many York students felt Freshers’ Week to be too “alcohol-orientated,’ thus efforts have been made to promote more ‘alcohol-free’ events this year.
The first week of the autumn term, renamed ‘Welcome Week’ due to the negative, alcohol-related connotations that ‘Freshers’ Week’ was believed to hold, is set to feature the first, alcohol-free Union fixture in Central Hall.
“I’m very excited,” said Leyland. ‘Unreel’, which will be on Wednesday of Week 1, is being run with the Internationl Students’ Assocation. Leyland said: “I’ve booked out Central Hall, and we will have two films playing in the Physics Building and international films in Central Hall, plus yoga, food and drink, Indian head massage, henna, arts and crafts, acoustic guitar and Wii games.”
The results of the Natwest survey also coincided with a move by the Student Union to ban society initiative rites. Under a new Social Policy launched by YUSU, any sports club or society found to be holding initiation ceremonies involving alcohol will be fines, and, in the case of sports clubs, possible expulsion from YorkSport.
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