The University of Colorado at Boulder is deeply concerned about the health and safety of its students, including alcohol abuse and underage drinking. Both are long-term societal problems that require long-term educational and social initiatives to curb.
For universities, each year is a challenge with a new wave of students coming to campus 聳 many of them already struggling with alcohol problems. Another challenge for all universities is the enormous investment by the alcohol industry in marketing and promotion.
CU-Boulder was one of the first universities to begin addressing the alcohol problem in a systematic way. The university has taken a number of steps, listed below, to deal with this problem. CU-Boulder and other American universities clearly have a long way to go in reversing the trend. Nevertheless, we remain committed to vigilance in enforcement, educational programming, and communication.
Campus personnel cooperated with, but did not invite, Dateline because we had important information to share and we wanted to make sure Dateline heard various perspectives on this issue. The university provided extensive printed material on its programs, encouraged its staff and administrators to be available for interviews, and answered many questions on the issue.
University Initiatives
Beer ban. In 1996, CU-Boulder banned the sale of beer at Folsom Field during football games.
Matter of Degree program. The university established an alcohol education and awareness program called 聯A Matter of Degree,聰 funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation at nearly $1 million. CU-Boulder's program is one of 10 such programs at college campuses across the country. The program is designed to reduce the harmful effects of high-risk drinking on college campuses through:
changing policies related to alcohol promotion, accessibility, and second-hand effects
educational programs
promotion of alcohol-free events for students
major publicity and advertising campaigns that seek to communicate social norms in support of responsible use of alcohol
promotion of good relations between permanent residents and student residents in Boulder.
Enforcement and sanctions. If a student is cited for an alcohol-related violation, whether on- or off-campus, he or she is reported to the Office of Judicial Affairs, which will review the case. The university takes appropriate action if it is determined that the student violated the student code of conduct and threatened the health and safety of others.
Three-strikes policy. CU-Boulder has a strict three-strikes policy though which a student, after the first offense, is put on probation for one year, must take a mandatory alcohol awareness class and must perform community service. If there聮s a second offense, the punishment is more severe and the student聮s parents are notified. If there聮s a third offense, the student is suspended for one semester.
Restorative Justice program. The university also has a program called "restorative justice,聰 which is an alternative to the student Judicial Affairs process. This is a collaborative project involving the Ombuds Office, Office of Judicial Affairs, the University Police Department, Housing and the Office of Victim Assistance. The university uses this approach when students who commit nonviolent crimes admit wrongdoing and both the perpetrator and victim are willing to meet. The university brings together offenders, harmed parties, supporters of offenders, supporters of harmed parties, and affected community members to have a discussion.
Diversion programs. CU-Boulder provides education on alcohol and other drug problems and works to clarify values of CU-Boulder students around alcohol use and abuse. An example is the Diversion Program, an educational alternative to appearing in court, when a student has been issued a ticket for a Minor In Possession (M.I.P.) of alcohol.
Alternative programs. The university offers alternative alcohol-free programs during orientation and back-to-school week as well as finals week. The Student Recreation Center stays open until 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights as a substance-free alternative.
Substance-free housing options. The university offers living areas in residence halls for students who agree not to use alcohol or other drugs.
Greek commitment. All the fraternities and sororities at CU-Boulder have pledged to have alcohol-free events and activities.
Neighborhood outreach. To counter drinking problems and disturbances in neighborhoods near campus, a special action group was formed with representatives from a number of concerned groups. Many new and formal links have been formed between the university and the community.
For more information on what the university is doing to reduce the use and abuse of alcohol contact the 聯A Matter of Degree" Office at (303) 492-7956.