The Center for College Health and Safety congratulates
David Roselle of University of Delaware and Robert Carothers of University
of Rhode Island
for being the 2003 award recipients.
University
of Rhode Island President Robert Carothers has
been a vocal advocate for college AOD prevention efforts on his campus, in
Rhode Island, and on a national level. He was a member of the NIAAA college
alcohol panel and offered testimony at the RI state legislature in favor of
a .08 BAC law.
University of Rhode Island has adopted a comprehensive approach to prevention, with policy and enforcement programs, a stringent ban of alcohol on campus including Greek facilities, a “3 strikes and you’re out” policy, and parental notification, and also a campaign to address perceptions of norms on campus. 8 fraternities have been closed over the last decade. To implement policies and practices, the President’s Alcohol Health Promotion Partnership Team was formed. As a result of his efforts, there has been a marked increase in the quality of incoming students, with the average SAT scores increasing 200 points.
Carothers has been successful in garnering faculty support, and has involved them in prevention efforts, with their enforcing more stringent class attendance policies and vocalizing to students the need to not only simply attend class, but to come alert and prepared to learn. See his letter to faculty at www.edc.org/hec/pubs/catalst9.htm#carothers. Carothers has also worked to develop alumni support for his prevention activities and has engaged in concerted efforts around particular events such as Homecoming.
The URI-Narragansett Community Coalition was formed so that the problem of substance abuse would be comprehensively addressed, and not just pushed off of campus. In the first year of operation, the Coalition achieved a 39% decline in alcohol and party-related complaints.
For more information on President Carothers, visit his PLG member page.