ATHENS, Ohio -- Presidents of 42 Ohio four-year colleges and universities recently pledged their support toward addressing an issue of deep concern on college campuses: Student alcohol abuse. The presidents committed to supporting the collaboration of campus and community in approaching the issue of high-risk drinking and to continuing their institutions' partnerships with Ohio Parents for Drug Free Youth's Ohio College Initiative to Reduce High Risk Drinking.

The Ohio College Initiative is a statewide coalition that promotes the environmental management approach to change campus cultures. "College presidents know their positions are critical in influencing the social atmosphere on the campuses," said Patricia Harmon, executive director, Ohio Parents for Drug Free Youth. "Their commitment to this issue represents a pledge to personally and institutionally work together with their local communities to find ways to change their campus environments for the health and safety of all students."

Ohio University President Robert Glidden, chairperson for the Ohio College Initiative, led the signature campaign. Glidden challenged his fellow college and university presidents to adopt the Initiative's environmental change approach during meetings of the Inter University Council and the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Ohio. In a letter sent to them last week, he urged presidents to vocally and visibly support their campus/community coalitions if present, or to initiate a task force or other group prevention effort. "There is a need for a coordinated effort to change the physical, social, economic and legal environment in order to influence the decisions that students make about alcohol use and we must be leaders not only on our campuses, but also in our communities," said Glidden.

Each president signed a letter of commitment documenting his or her support. A composite "Letter of Commitment" containing all the presidents' signatures can be viewed online at www.ohioparents.org/Programs/CollegeInitiative.htm. The signatures of many of the presidents signify a renewal of an initial commitment made upon joining the Ohio College Initiative: 19 institutions originally joined the statewide Initiative when it began in the fall of 1996, 12 more came on board the following year and the remainder during succeeding years.

Ohio University was a founding member of the Ohio College Initiative and Terry Hogan, dean of students; Judy Piercy, director of judiciaries; Char Kopchick, director of health education and wellness; and other staff are active participants in all statewide efforts. President Glidden became chair of the Initiative in 2002, succeeding President James Garland of Miami University.

The Ohio College Initiative to Reduce High Risk Drinking is a nationally recognized model that promotes long-term environmental change in the campus culture. The vision is of campus cultures that no longer are synonymous with drinking. This program of Ohio Parents for Drug Free Youth is supported by the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services and the Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention. The specific focus of the Ohio College Initiative for this academic year is on reducing problems associated with off-campus drinking through emphasis on alcohol policies and on the enforcement of campus policies and community laws.

Ohio Parents for Drug Free Youth is a catalyst for bringing people, groups and resources together to prevent substance abuse. This not-for-profit organization provides leadership and fosters networks in order to promote safe and drug-free communities throughout Ohio.

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Media Contact: Marvin Mitchell, (614) 540-9985, or Media Specialist George Mauzy, (740) 597-1794 or mauzy@ohio.edu

Related Links: Letter of Commitment