Senate Resolution subject: "Resolution Endorsing Senate Student Affairs Committee Report on Alcohol Policy Committee Recommendations" requests a report of progress made in implementation of those recommendations by February 2000.  Accordingly, I have the honor to forward to you the attached progress report. It is our intention to provide the Senate with periodic reports of this dynamic process.

The Senate is to be congratulated for its pro-active role in the development and implementation of our alcohol policy.  We welcome and look forward to a continuous involvement of the Senate in helping us to ensure a wholesome environment for all of our students.
 

This update is provided in accordance with the terms of the University Senate’s November 19,999 Resolution, entitled: "Senate Prioritization of Alcohol Policy Recommendations," endorsing the November 1, 1999 Report of the Student Affairs Committee. The Student Affairs Committee prioritized the recommendations made in the Report of the Alcohol Policy.

Policy Statement 1.   The University should maintain its ongoing commitment to assess alcohol use and related problems, and enhance its commitment to responsive programmatic activities.

Specific Recommendations:   Establishment of a permanent alcohol policy committee with presidential authority to review and implement policy; development of a University Community Action Plan to coordinate policy and programmatic implementation; identification of special populations and implementation of appropriate programming; and providing for systematic evaluations of all program activities.

Current Status:   The Acting Vice President for Student Affairs is compiling nominations for the establishment of a permanent alcohol policy committee. In the meantime, he has established a three-persons steering committee to:  a. formulate a draft charge for the permanent alcohol committee, b. account for all existing University resources and programs dedicated to alcohol issues, c. make recommendations as to those members of the University community who should be appointed.

The original alcohol policy committee deferred to the implementation committee the issue of developing a university response to the recent Amendments of 1998 that President Clinton signed into law involving campus alcohol policy. However, the Acting Vice President for Student Affairs has initiated deliberations on one of the Amendments regarding  parental notification.  Following discussions on the issue of parental notification in a meeting of the University wide Student Affairs Council (deans of students/associate provost), the AVPSA appointed subcommittee of the Student Affairs Council to further discuss the issue and draft a policy. The subcommittee has met and is in the process of drafting a policy which will be sent forward as a recommendation from this group.

Policy Statement 6.   The University should explore methods for enhancing campus-centered activities that would heighten the sense of "local community." Specific recommendations include: assess community interests for campus events; more closely tailor campus services and special events to match student interests, needs, and schedules; and increase formal and informal venues for social activities.

Current Status:   While the permanent alcohol committee will pursue more fully implementation of all of the policies, discussions with the presidents of student government associations and other student groups on campus wide events, such as concerts, are ongoing. A Rutgers in Washington Student Advocacy group is being planned for this summer. A concert is being planned for after the first football game intending to welcome the first year class. An Asian Cultural Center is being established. The Greek community of students are developing programs that would improve their productivity.

Policy Statement 2.   The university should ensure that prevention efforts extend to the entire campus community.

Current Status:   The Attorney General’s office formed a Community Group comprising both Rutgers University and New Brunswick residents and tavern owners to discuss mutual concerns. The "We Check for 21" program is part of this collaboration. Richard Powell, from the Department of Health Education, represents the University on the community group.

Current Substance Free Housing and Recovering Housing options available to students are being maintained. Future plans include expansion or development of new options.

Policy Statement 4.   The University should enhance current education and training opportunities for all members of the community. Specific recommendations include: integrate appropriate and comprehensive education and training efforts as part of the University Community Action Plan.

Current Status:   Several recent interventions reach more broadly or deeper into the university community which enhances educational opportunities. The Communications and Health Issues Research and Education Partnership (CHI) between the Communications Dept. of SCILS and the RUHS has focused specifically on first-year students and influencing the misperceptions about drinking on campus. This work continues through a variety of internal support and external funds.

RUHS has collaborated with Intercollegiate Athletics through a specific health education course for student athlete mentors. This semester-long experience and CASE course allows athletes to better understand health, behavior change processes, social influence and drinking behavior. Their partnership with the student athlete social marketers has resulted in additional programs and diffusion of key alcohol messages and modeling of safer drinking practices.

Policy Statement 5.   The University should continue and enhance its existing system of intervention services. Specific recommendations include: develop methods to reach and engage individuals in needing of treatment services; and expand support programs (including special living situations) for students in recovery.

Current Status:   As discussed in the Policy Committee Report, prevention, education, intervention and counseling/treatment activities provided by the Alcohol and Other Drug Assistance Program for Students and the Department of Health Education under the Rutgers University Health Services are continuing to be provided to all Rutgers students. The Director of the Rutgers University Health Services, authorized the hiring of additional counseling staff for the alcohol and other drug assistance program for students.

The Alcohol and Other Drug Assistance Program for Students (ADAPS) continues to offer assessment, intervention, counseling, prevention groups for high-risk students, support groups for students in recovery from alcohol/drug dependencies, on-campus housing for recovering students.