I.  Statement of Problem

Abuse of alcohol and other drugs (AOD) is contrary to the learning mission of the university. AOD abuse negatively affects not only those who engage in the behavior, but also others including students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents and the local community. AOD abuse contributes to poor academic performance, disruptive living and workplace conditions, interpersonal violence, property damage, as well as health problems and accidents that range from minor to deadly.

II. Rationale

Achieving significant reductions in AOD-related harm in the Cornell community will require a comprehensive, integrated, and sustained effort at multiple levels of the university and local community. Since cultural change involves shared responsibility of the entire university community, a central organizing group is needed to guide such an effort. In addition to the intrinsic need for an AOD organizational structure, federal guidelines call for the creation of such an entity.

III. Charge from the President

The Cornell University President's Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs is hereby established in response to the need for a campus and community-wide approach to preventing AOD-related problems. The President's Council and committees will comprise staff, faculty, students, and members of the external community. An Executive Committee on Alcohol and Other Drugs comprising university administrators has also been established and will provide the President's Council with administrative oversight. The Executive Committee will forward recommendations and updates from the council to the President.

The Vice President for Student and Academic Services shall serve as chair of the Executive Committee and the President's Council. The Executive Committee shall engage students in its deliberations as needed. The Director of Alcohol Policy Initiatives shall have responsibility and authority for guiding implementation of the university's AOD abuse prevention effort. University staff and faculty are to work cooperatively with the Director of Alcohol Policy Initiatives in this regard.

The President's Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs will be responsible for the design, implementation, and evaluation of the university's alcohol and other drug abuse prevention efforts. The council shall provide an annual progress report to the President. The framework for the council's activities is as follows:

A. Goals

The university seeks to foster fundamental change in the campus and community culture related to alcohol and other drugs. To this end, the university seeks significant change as reflected in the following goals:

• To reduce high-risk drinking and other drug use by Cornell community members 
• To reduce underage consumption of alcohol by Cornell students
• To reduce harm caused to Cornell community members who use alcohol and other drugs
• To reduce negative second-hand effects on others caused by Cornell community members who use alcohol and other drugs

B. Guiding principles 

• Learning is optimal when the environment is free of negative consequences related to AOD abuse.
• Alcohol is the most widely used and abused substance among Cornell students and is therefore the focus of the university's efforts to reduce AOD-related harm.
• While alcohol abuse is a significant problem among Cornell students, most students tend to drink in moderation or not at all.
• The university employs a public health approach to AOD that addresses factors related to individuals, substances, and dimensions of the environment that shape behavior.
• Environmental management promotes responsible decision-making by shaping the context in which individuals make choices about AOD.
• Changing the university culture related to AOD requires the shared leadership of students, staff, faculty, parents, alumni, and members of the local community.
• The university is committed to upholding local, state, and federal laws related to AOD.

C. Committees

• The Council will appoint committees to address and advance timely priorities.
• Examples of committees: Slope Day Steering, Policies and Behavioral Accountability, Fraternity and Sorority, Social Events, Campus-Community Relations, Educational Strategies

In addition to overseeing the efforts of the above committees, the President’s Council will be responsible for the following: assuring the adequacy of AOD counseling and support services on campus; conducting research and evaluation activities; and conducting the federally mandated biennial review of the university’s AOD programs and services.

November, 2001