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Our City Is Our Campus: Alcohol in the Collegiate Environment

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Long Island University, et al.
Brooklyn, New York

INTRODUCTION
New York City’s colleges, universities, and prevention partners have been addressing underage drinking for more than 10 years. With past support from the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services and the Network Addressing Collegiate Alcohol Use, representatives have been meeting regularly to enhance evidence-based alcohol and other drug prevention strategies. Beginning in 2012, with support from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH), the stakeholder groups expanded the dialogue around student alcohol use through large informational networking events and exploratory projects. A 2014 Town Hall Meeting sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offered a perfect opportunity for stakeholders to continue this work.

EVENT DESCRIPTION
After 6 months of planning by a multidisciplinary team representing government, community partners, and college/university administrators, “Our City Is Our Campus: Alcohol in the Collegiate Environment” was born. The planning committee included staff from St. John’s University, City University of New York (CUNY) School of Public Health, Long Island University, NYC DOHMH, Partnership for a Healthier New York City, Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Cooperation, New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, and New York City Prevention Center.

The main goals of the Town Hall Meeting were to provide evidence-based strategies that could be implemented in and around campuses in New York City and to foster continuing discussions about ways to address student alcohol use. More than 60 representatives from 29 collegiate institutions, eight city agencies, and community prevention partners took part in the 4-hour event. The keynote address by Dr. Nicholas Freudenberg of CUNY outlined statistics about underage and excessive drinking on campuses and recommended best practices. A panel then addressed barriers to implementing specific best practices: universal screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment; comprehensive and consistent alcohol policy; and maintaining a coalition to address alcohol issues off campus. Participants then broke into groups to discuss environmental and individual evidence-based interventions that have shown success in reducing the levels of, and secondhand effects of, underage and excessive alcohol use. Participants were urged to look beyond conventional methods of alcohol education toward more comprehensive policies and environmental strategies. Everyone reconvened for the balance of the meeting to share information and discuss next steps.

MEASURES OF SUCCESS
The extent of participation by individuals representing such a large and diverse group of institutions of higher education constitutes a significant measure of this event’s success. Evaluations noted that attendees appreciated the opportunity to discuss best practices and hear about their colleagues’ experiences with implementation. Almost all respondents felt the event was useful, met their expectations, and helped them create a better understanding of how to address the issue of alcohol in the collegiate environment. They also noted the value of networking with colleagues who represent different disciplines and expertise.

LESSONS LEARNED/NEXT STEPS
Organizers report that the multidisciplinary approach helped the group develop themes and topics they might not have otherwise addressed. Next steps inspired by the event include speaking to institutional upper management, having better screening processes for students, increasing quantity and quality of environmental and system-change work, and addressing gaps among departments. Attendees also were eager to reconvene semi-regularly to have structured conversations about specific best practices on underage drinking prevention and other topics of shared interest.

CONTACT
Ruth DeRosa
derosar@stjohns.edu


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