CAMPUS-COMMUNITY ALCOHOL COALITION SENDS MESSAGE TO STUDENTS

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - As we enter our second week of Fall classes at the University of Arkansas, Chancellor John A. White and Mayor Fred Hanna want to reiterate their commitment to curb excessive use of alcohol by students and others in the Fayetteville community.

Last year Chancellor White and Mayor Hanna joined forces to establish a campus-community coalition to deal with serious issues related to student use of alcohol and other drugs.

"The University of Arkansas is concerned with education first and foremost. Students are here to focus on high achievement and preparations for life," said White.

White emphasized that these preparations for life should not include the excessive use of alcohol, a practice that merged into the "binge drinking" culture of the 1990's.

"Very good news is that current campus surveys indicate that less than half of U of A students include alcohol in their social situations," White said. "Indicators lead us also to believe that students partaking in binge drinking are becoming fewer in number and thereby showing us that the social culture of the campus is de-emphasizing the use of alcohol.

"However, we cannot drop our guard. We must continue to work at reducing risks associated with the use of alcohol and, with the partnership the city of Fayetteville is providing, I believe we are making great progress," White said.

Chancellor White and Mayor Hanna want to remind all students and others under the age of 21 that underage drinking is not tolerated on campus or in the off-campus community, just as violation of any law is not tolerated on or off campus.

Mayor Hanna has taken a strong leadership role in reducing underage drinking in bars and restaurants as well as other social gathering places.

"I have tremendous respect for Chancellor White and the stand he has taken on the issue of underage and binge drinking among our young people," Hanna said.

"It is a very significant relationship the city has with the University in that we have formed one of few if any other such coalitions in the state to develop solutions to youth-alcohol problems. I am particularly proud that we are working together to find solutions," Hanna said.

Two events sponsored by the city of Fayetteville that are alcohol free are First Night, a New Year’s Eve celebration, and the free concerts in park during the summer months.

"I feel that these city-sponsored events work to reinforce the goals of the whole coalition and, from the great attendance, are a testament to the desire of many, many of our residents to participate in events without the use of alcohol," Hanna said.

Law enforcement is intent on maintaining close partnerships with establishments that sell liquor and have consistently identified and stopped individuals driving under the influence of alcohol.

U of A students have taken the lead with a program called Safe Ride, which provides free taxi service to students wishing to return to their residence late at night. Not only does this program reduce the possibility of students drinking and then driving, Safe Ride also offers safe passage for men and women who should not risk walking or taking a late night ride with a stranger to return home.

Programs initiated on campus this fall include alternative late-night entertainment and extended hours at the HPER building for athletic and exercise activities.

The University is aware of the fact that many students come to the University with prior use of alcohol and may expect college to be a continuum of social experiences where alcohol is available. Most students find comfort in discovering other students with similar anxieties and enjoy meeting people from very different and not so different backgrounds.

Chancellor White challenges each student to seek a balance, putting academic challenges first and having social activities without alcohol. "The culture at the University is changing and we need everyone's help to make this a safe and healthy community," White said.

# # # #