MSU student from Meridian will have research presented at SEPA conference

By By Steve Gillespie / staff writer
March 13, 2002
Daniel R. Webster's psychological research shows no difference in the drinking habits of college students at Mississippi State University, which prohibits alcohol, and other campuses that do not prohibit alcohol.
Webster, 20, is a 2000 graduate of West Lauderdale High School and a junior psychology major. He is one of seven MSU students whose findings will be presented March 21-24 at a meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association, which is affiliated with the American Psychological Association.
The latest investigations in a variety of psychological fields will be presented at the SEPA conference in Orlando, Fla.
The research projects were part of an experimental psychology class at MSU, taught by visiting professor Carl A. Escoto.
Webster's research was done last semester by comparing existing data from universities in the South that do allow alcohol on its campuses, to a survey of 225 students at MSU.
Webster said he found no differences in the frequency of drinking among students, their preferences of what to drink or where, the amount of class time missed due to drinking, or the frequency of risk-taking behaviors under the influence such as driving, binge drinking, arrests, or having unprotected sex.
Webster, one of only two juniors at MSU invited to present their research at the conference, said Escoto helped him determine his research because there were no such studies to be found for students at "dry" universities. For that reason, Webster said he wasn't "too surprised," when he learned his research was selected to be presented.
The SEPA professional organization's region includes 12 states and Puerto Rico.
Webster is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Toney Roberts of Batesville and Mr. and Mrs. Steve Webster of Meridian.