University of Reading providing more alcohol-free events for start of new term

READ ALSO: PC Harper: Abingdon Town FC to host fundraising football match with army in honour of officer.

A report by student accommodation provider Unite suggests that more than one in five students do not drink alcohol.

In addition, the University of Reading and Reading University Students’ Union (RUSU) are responding to a growing demand for alcohol-free events from all of their students, with events ranging from roller discos to a mocktail lounge.

The University has also committed to only hold official events on its campuses, rather than in the town centre, in an effort to limit the effect of noise and disruption on the surrounding community.

READ ALSO: Unique 'tribute' to climate change campaigner Greta Thunberg placed on Reading's Broad Street.

The University of Reading is currently working with Reading Borough Council on a new partnership to promote responsible drinking for the entire community across Reading through a Community Alcohol Partnership.

The collaboration includes the sharing of best practices to promote responsible drinking and signposting to leading external support providers.

Professor Robert Van De Noort, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading said: “A rich and enjoyable student social life doesn’t need to depend on alcohol and we are expanding our range of student social events to include a greater number of no-alcohol social activities.

“As we welcome several thousand new students to our community in Reading, we know that it is important to provide an environment in which students can enjoy themselves responsibly, and we are mindful of the impact that students and others can have on our neighbours.”

This year, the only official University and RUSU-organised events during Welcome Week that involve alcohol are all taking place on University premises, to allow better management of events, support for students, and to limit the impact on neighbouring residential areas.