The flawed study of college students’ drinking habits that got such an ugly writeup in yesterday’s USA Today was produced in conjunction with NASPA, a professional association of campus student affairs administrators. 

The USA Today article described Outside the Classroom, “a Boston-based company that offers alcohol-prevention programs to colleges,” as the study’s sponsor. It said the study’s lead researcher had been “William DeJong, a professor at Boston University School of Public Health.” The study’s findings, it reported, had been presented that day at NASPA’s annual meeting.

The article prominently quoted Gwendolyn Jordan Dungy, NASPA’s executive director, as hoping that the study would prompt others to work with her group “as we redouble our efforts to de-emphasize the role of alcohol in college life.” 

Here’s what the article didn’t say: Outside the Classroom is a major donor to NASPA. NASPA grants its donors time to make infomercial-style presentations at its conferences. DeJong is an employee of Outside the Classroom, and his “study” is a glorified press release for the company’s products. 

USA Today and NASPA are promoting a for-profit educational services company, and they’re arguably doing it by mischaracterizing student culture. In two upcoming posts we’ll explore the relationship between NASPA and Outside the Classroom, and the ways that their partnership may be compromising the interests of America’s students.

Update: Follow-up posts: 

NASPA and Outside the Classroom.

What’s Wrong With the NASPA Student Drinking Study.