Monday, May 12, 2003

Wilmington -- As college students prepare for their summer off, staff at 10 North Carolina colleges and universities are already looking ahead to the fall semester and preparing to address alcohol challenges when the students return.

Ten campuses, including UNC Wilmington, were recently awarded grants through the Collaborative Alcohol Management Project for University Success, otherwise known as CAMPUS. CAMPUS is supported by funds from the Substance Abuse Services Section of the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services and the federal Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

Other campuses receiving grants include Appalachian State University, Catawba College, Elizabeth City State University, Elon University, Johnson C. Smith University, Mars Hill College, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, North Carolina State University, and Wake Forest University. Project Director Ferris Morrison said, “The response we received lets us know that this issue is a hot topic on North Carolina campuses and is a challenge that needs to be addressed.”

UNCW submitted a competitive proposal in February and received a grant of $12,000 to enhance the institution’s current alcohol prevention efforts. The school implemented a plan to address problems associated with high-risk drinking, including the development of a campus/community coalition. By May 2004, the coalition will complete its project plans. Strategies are based on the Environmental Management Model which asks communities to examine the question of “How can we expect our students to say ‘no’ in an environment that only says ‘yes’?”

Students are defined as those enrolled to enter higher education and those already enrolled. The key strategic interventions are alcohol availability, alcohol-free alternatives, policy development and enforcement, a normative environment and marketing and promotions.

The campus/community coalition of UNC Wilmington is made up of community civic leaders, law enforcement officials, health care professionals, public school personnel, UNCW students, staff and faculty, and interested citizens. The coalition was instrumental in conducting the regional “Be A Responsible Server” training and in educating students to local, state and campus alcohol laws.

You are invited to join the coalition and help address this important issue. Contact Jessica Burtt at UNCW CROSSROADS (910-962-4136; burttj@uncw.edu) or come to the next scheduled meeting at 4 p.m. May 22 in Canterbury Annex. The annex is located at the intersection of 16th Street and Glen Meade, across from New Hanover Regional Medical Center.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Ferris Morrison, 919.990.9559 ext. 228 or Jessica Burtt, UNCW, 910/962-7432.