A Report
from the
Inter-Association
Task Force
on Alcohol
and Other
Substance
Abuse Issues


What Can You Do?


Despite progress, concerns still exist for the health and safety of students and other members of university communities. During the symposium more than 100 college presidents, administrators and students discussed how to rebuild campus culture; provide comprehensive health education; foster community and life-enhancing values in a safe environment; address legal liability; and initiate or modify legislation. Task Force leaders have revised the model policy and affirmed the role of parents as active partners.

While respecting the appropriateness of each college and university to make individual decisions about campus life, the Task Force offers recommendations that are relevant, inclusive and applicable to the present culture on most campuses. To address alcohol abuse, colleges and universities should:

  • Define binge drinking precisely.
  • Determine the causes and results of alcohol abuse.
  • Develop policies about alcohol use and enforce them consistently.
  • Hold policy violators accountable for their behavior.
  • Include in those policies prevention and other appropriate responses.
  • Pay particular attention to all new students, first-year and transfers.
  • Enlist the direct support of the chief executive and members of the governing board.
  • Commit funds to address alcohol abuse through education, enforcement, treatment and related activities.
  • Use available resources and technologies to increase the campus community’s understanding of the institution’s “duty to care.”
  • Develop mechanisms to communicate with parents and guardians about their children’s involvement in situations of alcohol abuse.
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Collegiate Alcohol Abuse: Recommendations and Guidelines