Aug. 25, 1998 A VIRTUAL PARTY, PILOT COURSE, NEW EVENTS U.VA. LAUNCHES MEASURES TO CURB STUDENTS' DRINKING Across the University of Virginia Grounds, faculty and students are working together to sow the seeds of cultural change. In the wake of five alcohol-related deaths among the state's college students last year and as follow-up to the attorney general's and University's alcohol task forces as well as discussions in the Faculty Senate, the new academic year brings a rededication to stimulating an intellectual environment at U.Va. Faculty, staff and students are working hard to create new events, new entertainment venues and enhanced communication -- all representing a fertile mix that together may help to dispel a decades-old perception that alcohol use among students is a rite of passage. "Our work is cut out for us. Changing a social culture that tolerates underage and abusive drinking will not happen overnight, nor without repeated efforts and diverse strategies," noted William W. Harmon, Vice President for Student Affairs. The following describes the breadth of new events and strategies designed to reduce risky drinking behaviors and contribute to a cultural change at U.Va.: New Programming/Events A Sunset Concert Series will be held every Thursday night outdoors under a newly erected tent adjacent to Newcomb Hall. A variety of musical acts will begin performing Sept. 3. A coffee house in the Tuttle House residence hall will offer late-night entertainment. An initiative of the First-Year Council, the coffee house will feature performances by small musical groups, a pool table and darts. Students elected to the First-Year Council will plan performances at the coffee house, expected to open by early October. Class trustees and students elected to the Second- and Third-Year Councils also are expected to launch programs and events, such as concerts in the amphitheater and pool parties. A new Programming Advisory Board also plans events. Composed of administrators and students, the board is considering numerous possibilities, such as showing films outdoors. For follow-up, contact: Dean of Students Robert Canevari , (804) 924-7429 The Department of Intramural-Recreational Sports is extending the hours of two of its facilities. The Aquatic and Fitness Center and Slaughter Recreation Facility will remain open late on Friday and Saturday nights. In addition, the department is planning new courses and programming options, such as fly fishing and outdoor treks. It also will offer intramural competitions on weekend evenings and programs, planned with class councils, on weekends. Contact: Mark Fletcher, Director of Intramural-Recreational Sports, (804) 924-3791 MORE 2 New Course To help new students gain an appreciation of their options and responsibilities of living in an academic community, the University is launching a pilot course, "UVA 2002." The seven-week course will help students set personal and academic goals, spend time and money wisely, handle stress, become aware of the richness of diversity, and deal successfully with relationships. Faculty and administrators will serve as volunteer teachers during the hour-and-a-half-long sessions. Contact: Pat Lampkin, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, (804) 924-7984 Spreading The Word In an initiative planned by Dean of Students Robert Canevari, deans of students will be assigned to first-year residence halls. The deans will be responsible for getting to know students and their needs, facilitating meetings with faculty and serving as resources. Canevari believes the deans will provide additional support to the resident staff and help establish personal relationships with first-year students to promote awareness of the diverse options for enriching their intellectual, cultural and social experiences. Contact: Robert Canevari, (804) 924-7429 To help students gain an appreciation of the variety of University events available, U.Va. is launching a comprehensive electronic calendar. People will be able to search the calendar by current and future dates, interests and types of activities. Available to anyone with a University computer account, the site will be located at www.virginia.edu/Calendar and is expected to be online by Monday, Aug. 31. The Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs is planning on distributing weekly mass e-mails to undergraduates to describe upcoming events. "I think people are going to be surprised to see the number and variety of events," said Sam Miller, assistant to the Vice President of Student Affairs. Contact: Sam Miller, (804) 924-7984 Encouraging Responsible Behavior The Dean of Students Office and the Inter-Fraternity Council will distribute to all incoming first-year male students a letter describing behaviors anticipated in an intellectual environment. Supported by the Black Fraternal Council, Inter-Fraternity Council, Inter-Sorority Council and the resident staff in the residence-life program, the "Open Letter to First-Year Men" will also be available to parents on Move-In Day, Aug. 29, when new students arrive on Grounds. In the letter IFC President Al Park and Aaron Laushway, Assistant Dean of Students, address issues raised by the Faculty Senate and the University-Wide Task Force on Alcohol. "Whatever else you have heard or continue to hear, fraternity life is NOT about unlawful and detrimental drinking. We want you to consider fraternity life thoughtfully when it is offered to you in the spring semester," the letter reads in part. (In a controversial move at the end of the school year, Canevari moved fraternity rush from the fall semester to spring semester in the hope that first-year students would have more time to become familiar with what the University offers.) "The letter represents a combined commitment to help first-year students enjoy a successful transition to the University," said Laushway. Contact: Aaron Laushway, (804) 924-7429 The Department of Student Health has hired a new health educator, whose primary responsibility will be a social marketing program, with an emphasis on alcohol education. MORE 3 Reflecting the department's comprehensive approach to alcohol education, social marketing uses well-established health behavior theories to promote change. Successfully employed at Northern Illinois and Arizona universities, social marketing focuses on involving students in programs designed to meet their needs and interests. Although social marketing usually takes two to five years to produce measurable results, Susan Tate, associate director for health promotion, is optimistic that it will make a positive difference. "It's a proactive prevention program developed in tandem with students -- a good approach given the tradition of strong student leadership here. In other words, we will not be marketing to students, but with students," Tate said. The Health Promotion Office is sending faculty a letter describing ways they can help reduce high-risk drinking behaviors. It gives faculty suggestions on how they can encourage safer student behaviors and avoid reinforcing the perception of a drinking culture at U.Va. Contact: Susan Tate, (804) 924-1509 The Institute for Substance Abuse Studies is placing a new emphasis in its training programs this year. It is increasing its efforts to educate the University community about the dangers of alcohol abuse, and it is emphasizing to faculty and students that they can stop enabling risky drinking behaviors. "A central focus of our efforts is to make sure students and faculty know about the dangers of alcohol abuse and learn how to intervene if necessary to keep students safe," said Susan Grossman, director of prevention programs and services. Alcohol 101 Among the institute's new efforts this year will be the distribution of "Alcohol 101," an interactive computer simulation that allows students to attend a "virtual party." Produced on CD ROM by an association of American distillers, the training program allows students to learn their blood alcohol levels after simulated drinking at the virtual party. The institute also will help the student-run Judiciary Committee examine its responses pertaining to alcohol-related cases -- another task force recommendation. Because it has often taken the committee several weeks in the past to respond, students may not have been given information and referral services that could help them understand and reduce risky drinking behaviors, the University task force found. In addition, students often were given light sanctions, such as community service, that had no educational value related to alcohol abuse. Grossman and other institute educators will work with the Judiciary Committee to ensure that alcohol-related cases are handled expediently, that sanctions are appropriate and that cases are referred for education and/or clinical assessment and evaluation. Contact: Susan Grossman, (804) 924-5276 New Student IDs New students entering the university this fall will have identification cards with their dates of birth displayed on them -- a recommendation of the University's task force. Contact: Ann Antrobus, registrar, (804) 924-4124 Keeping The Issue Alive Monitoring the development and implementation of efforts being undertaken to reduce risky behaviors will be the Vice President's Advisory Committee on Alcohol and Substance Abuse - another key task force recommendation. Members are expected to be appointed to the committee this semester. Contact: William Harmon, Vice President for Student Affairs, (804) 924-7984 MORE 4 Curbing the Drinking Culture at Football Games Following up on a controversial task force recommendation, the Virginia Student Aid Foundation (VSAF) and U.Va. officials are working out details of a plan to reduce the amount of drinking associated with "tailgating" (setting up picnics with beverages on the backs of vehicles) at football games. For the 1998 football season VSAF is applying for Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) licenses that would allow the legal consumption of alcoholic beverages in some of the reserved parking areas VSAF leases from the University. The license the VSAF has received for the opening home game will permit people of legal drinking age to consume alcoholic beverages in designated parking lots. The lots where alcohol may be consumed will be clearly marked and police officers will patrol the areas. In keeping with Virginia state law prohibiting public consumption of alcohol, no alcoholic beverages can be consumed outside the licensed areas. The VSAF has notified members of the changes in its monthly newsletter, and information about the new restrictions will be included in mailings to season ticket holders. The ABC licenses will be issued on a game-by-game basis and will be subject to weekly review to insure proper enforcement of Virginia state law. Contact: Michael Sheffield, chief of U.Va. police, (804) 924-8837 ### Television reporters should contact the TV News Office at (804) 924-7550.