Research and best practices indicate that the most effective programs are campus wide efforts that involve as many parts of the college as possible, including administrators, staff, faculty, and students. Building coalitions with local community leaders is also critical.
UW Eau Claire has a long history of bringing campus and community stakeholders together to work on issues related to high-risk drinking by its students. Groups past and present that have worked together include:
- Alcohol Education Advisory Committee 1996-1998
- Alcohol Task Force 1999-2000
- Alcohol Education Committee 2003-2005
- The Bridge: Campus Community Coalition on Alcohol Issues in Eau Claire: 2005-present
- Alcohol Prevention Program Advisory Committee: 2005-2008
- Alcohol Safety Team: 2008-present
Today, the UW-Eau Claire continues to support two groups, the Alcohol Safety Team, a campus group dedicated to identifying and acting on areas of concern related to student alcohol and other drug use, and the Bridge: Campus-Community Coalition on Alcohol Issues in Eau Claire, which aims to address these issues throughout the greater Eau Claire community.
Alcohol Safety Team
Mission
The role of the Alcohol Safety Team is to develop and implement the UW Eau Claire Campus Alcohol Education and Prevention Plan, which is updated annually. The AST reviews campus survey and other data to assess alcohol use patterns and identify areas that require action. AST members are representatives of different campus offices and departments who are charged with keeping their own department informed and up to date on the work of the AST, and who work together to implement strategies identified in the campus alcohol education and prevention plan.
Structure
Members
The Bridge
Mission
The Bridge is a partnership between the UW-Eau Claire campus and the greater Eau Claire community to address and reduce underage and high risk drinking behaviors and associated negative experiences through education, enforcement, and environmental changes.
Structure
The Bridge meets two times a year. Individuals representing several campus offices, and community representatives interested in reducing underage and high risk drinking for college students come together to report on progress, trends, and to identify areas of concern that require joint action.
The Bridge is co-chaired by UW Eau Claire Chancellor Brian Levin-Stankevich, Eau Claire City Police Chief Jerry Matysik, and Eau Claire City/County Health Department Director Richard Thoune. Other Bridge participants include local officials, concerned citizens, business owners, health care providers, and UW Eau Claire faculty, staff, and students. Bridge meetings and activities are coordinated through the CASE office.
Meetings and events
Bridge Summit March 3, 2011 agenda
