Cornell University President Hunter Rawlings announced the appointment of the President's Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs, an initiative aimed at improving the overall campus environment by reducing the harm associated with the misuse of alcohol and other drugs.

The council, which will be responsible for the design, implementation and evaluation of the university's alcohol and other drug abuse prevention efforts, will comprise students, faculty and staff. It will first convene Dec. 11.

"Abuse of alcohol and other drugs is problematic at Cornell among students and other members of the campus community, as it is nationwide," Rawlings said. "Too often this abuse undermines academic success and jeopardizes safety, both of the individual and of other members of the community. Because abuse of alcohol and other drugs is a community and family issue, as well as one of personal responsibility, we must work together to minimize it."

The newly established Executive Committee on Alcohol and Other Drugs, composed of key administrators and chaired by Susan H. Murphy, vice president for student and academic services, will provide oversight for the council, which will include six working committees.

"We're concerned about the significant harm that high-risk drinking causes for those who drink and those around them," said Murphy, who also is chair of the president's council. "Alcohol poisoning is a serious problem among students, and most cases of violence on campus involve drinking. But we also recognize that most Cornell students either do not drink or tend to drink in ways that do not lead to problems."

The executive committee will forward the council's recommendations and updates to the president, and the council will provide the president with an annual progress report. Tim Marchell, director of alcohol policy initiatives, will be responsible for overseeing implementation of the university's alcohol abuse prevention efforts.

Marchell said that alcohol is the most commonly used and problematic drug at Cornell and nationwide. Research shows that while a majority of Cornell students drink in moderation or not at all, a majority also experience negative second-hand effects of alcohol caused by those who drink more heavily. Among these consequences are disrupted sleep or study, vandalism, and assaults. One quarter of all referrals to the Office of the Judicial Administrator are alcohol-related.

"The establishment of the president's council is a proactive approach to reducing alcohol and other drug related-harm," Marchell said. "Reducing problem drinking requires changing the environment in which people make choices about alcohol. For that reason the council will work to increase late-night alcohol-free recreation, improve enforcement of policies and work with community leaders to address student drinking off campus. It will also develop new educational strategies and ensure that support services are in place for students and staff who need assistance."

The council's six working committees include:

• Slope Day Steering Committee;
• Policies and Behavioral Accountability Committee;
• Fraternity and Sorority Committee;
• Social Events Committee;
• Campus-Community Relations Committee;
• Educational Strategies Committee.

In addition to overseeing the efforts of the committees, the president's council will be responsible for assuring the adequacy of alcohol and other drug counseling and support services on campus; conducting research and evaluation activities; and conducting the federally mandated biennial review of the university's alcohol and other drug programs and services.

"There is no single solution to the problem," Marchell said. "Effective prevention requires a comprehensive approach – that is, multiple strategies and a commitment by the entire community to make changes in the drinking culture over the long term. The president's council and its committees is ready to work toward that end."

Student members of the president's council will include two students at-large as well as students nominated by Renaissance, the Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic Council, Multicultural Greek Letter Council, Student Assembly, Graduate and Professional Student Assembly, Residence Hall Association and the Student-Athlete Advisory Council. Three at-large faculty members are being recommended, along with two members of the Faculty Senate being recommended by Dean of the Faculty J. Robert Cooke. Staff members on the president's council represent a broad range of university units and departments.