Partying on and off college campuses are just another part of college. Despite the rules and regulations for dorms and other on-campus student housing, drinking and party still happens. Not surprisingly, not as much as off campus though.

Parties on campus tend to involve less drinking than those held off campus, according to the USC Dept. of Public Safety and “Drinking at College Parties: Examining the Influence of Student Host-Status and Party-Location,” a recent study from Ohio State University.

The two sources found that hosts of parties on campus consume an average of 4.5 drinks while hosts of off-campus parties’ average 7.5 drinks.

The study also found that off-campus party hosts tend to engage in alcohol-related behavior, such as verbal arguments, physical assault, public urination and spontaneous rioting. Researchers interviewed 3,796 students over the course of two academic years.

This is probably due to the fact that on campus housing is typically smaller than off-campus, think dorm suite verses house, and on campus housing is monitored by school security and RA’s. So dorm parties typically have to be smaller and quieter than on off campus house party.

USC owns or manages several student housing properties located off-campus and a majority of the university’s students are 21 years old or older. Their dorms are closely monitored and alcohol possession by those under 21 living there is prohibited.

Some students feel that hosts of both on and off campus parties generally drink less because they feel responsible for the attendees or the property. And of course, just because RA’s aren’t there to look after them, the cops can still be called for noise complaints and bad behavior, which could effect a student even if they were off campus.