CHARGE TO THE COMMISSION ON THE PREVENTION OF ALCOHOL ABUSE

February 2, 2007

Alcohol abuse is one of the most critical issues facing colleges and universities today—and The College of New Jersey is no exception. Alcohol abuse and the consequences of excessive drinking compromise the health and safety of individuals within our campus community, damage our relationships with each other, and undermine our efforts to sustain a vibrant intellectual community that supports academic excellence and personal success.

As a follow-up to last year’s alcohol summits, we have both an opportunity and a responsibility to more closely examine the influence alcohol has on our campus community and to recommend goals, objectives, and actions that will reduce underage and high-risk drinking among students. We recognize that quick-fixes and simple solutions fail, and that the complexity of alcohol issues and concerns requires an ongoing and well-planned comprehensive approach that evolves over time. While it is difficult to effect and sustain behavioral change and cultural change, we are confident that the goal of making our campus a healthier, safer living and learning environment is attainable and merits our most thoughtful consideration and action.

In light of this, we charge the Commission on the Prevention of Alcohol Abuse to recommend specific goals, objectives, and actions for addressing issues of underage and high-risk drinking on our campus. In defining such goals, objectives, and action plans, we expect that the Commission will:

• Involve and consult with students and other members of the campus community in a variety of forums to obtain the broadest possible perspective on the issue.
• Examine the literature to identify best practices in the field of alcohol and other drug abuse prevention as they pertain to adolescents and young adults and to colleges and universities.
• Focus on alcohol but include abuse of other substances as a focus where similar initiatives may be appropriate.

We also ask that the Commission analyze our current progress by:

• Identifying those forces, activities, messages, structures, and perceptions within our campus culture that impede our progress toward our campus goals and, perhaps even inadvertently, serve to promote the acceptance of underage and high-risk drinking among students.
• Studying existing educational and support programs on campus and in our community in terms of their fit with and effectiveness in working toward our campus goals and determining how we might improve, better promote, and/or build upon these efforts.
• Reviewing current TCNJ policies and practices in light of our campus goals and federal, state, and local laws. In examining the College’s alcohol and other drugs policies, the Commission should work closely with the Committee on Student and Campus Community to inform the committee’s biennial review of the College’s alcohol policy, which will be conducted in the spring of 2008.

We ask the Commission to provide a final report to us by May 1, 2007. This report should include the Commission’s recommendations for campus goals, objectives, and actions that will nurture a campus culture in which the values of mutual responsibility, moderation, self-care, and respect for self and others are the norm. If the Commission deems it necessary to continue its work beyond the spring semester, it should submit a preliminary report by May 1 and provide a target date by which its final report will be delivered.
 
We thank Commission members in advance for their service and would particularly like to thank Professor Mark Woodford for his commitment to leading this important effort on behalf of the College. 

James M. Norfleet                                                                                      

Vice President for Student Life    

Elizabeth Paul                                                                          

Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs