What is the influence of an alkyl-hydroxy group on a benzene ring?
According to Hansch, Leo, and Hoekman (Exploring QSAR: Hydrophobic, Electronic and Steric Constants 1995) the Hammet sigma value for $-CH_2-OH$ is 0 (zero) in both either the meta or para position.  Positive values indicate deactivators or electron withdrawing (+.778 for nitro in para position) and negative values are activators or electron donating (-0.268 for methoxy group).  The Hammett relationship gives a way to compare electronic effects of substituents on a benzene ring.  Further info on Wikipedia.