Colorado State’s Alcohol Task Force Invites Public Comment; Posts Web Site with Feedback Form, Meeting Times, Information

Colorado State University’s Alcohol Task Force is seeking public feedback and has posted a Web site accessible from www.colostate.edu that includes an online form where students, parents, community members and anyone concerned with student-related alcohol issues can make comments and suggestions to the committee.

"The key to the success of this task force will be to hear comments and suggestions from students, parents and all of those concerned with alcohol use at Colorado State and on campuses throughout the nation," said Colorado Lt. Gov. Jane Norton, chair of the Alcohol Task Force. "The task force welcomes, encourages and values all public comment and involvement. In addition to the online comment form, the task force also invites the public to all committee and subcommittee meetings."

The Alcohol Task Force Web site allows individuals to send comments to the main task force committee or to a specific subcommittee. The site also lists general information about the goals of the task force as well as meeting times, agendas and minutes of the main committee and subcommittees, and a growing list of additional resources.

All task force meetings, including subcommittee meetings, are open to the public. Time for public comment is provided at the end of each meeting.

The four subcommittees include the following.

– The subcommittee on Colorado State University alcohol-related policies, protocols and enforcement practices.

– The subcommittee on student behavior and educational and intervention programs.

– The subcommittee on alcohol related legislation, distribution and advertising.

– The subcommittee on the use of alcohol at Hughes Stadium, which will review polices, protocols and practices associated with alcohol use and abuse at Hughes Stadium.

Details about the charge of the task force and each subcommittee are available on the task force Web site.

Led by Norton, the Alcohol Task Force was appointed by Colorado State President Larry Edward Penley to examine a wide range of issues including binge drinking and underage drinking among students, as well as the fraternity and sorority systems and the overall culture of the institution as it relates to alcohol and substance abuse issues.

Linda Kuk, vice president for student affairs at Colorado State, and Cheryl Olson, a local community leader, are serving as operational co-chairs of the task force. Additional task force membership, listed on the Web site, includes state and community leaders, students, faculty, staff and substance and alcohol abuse experts.

Written comments to the Alcohol Task Force can also be mailed to Colorado State University, Attention: Alcohol Task Force, 201 Administration, Fort Collins, CO 80523, or e-mailed to vpsa@exchange.colostate.edu.

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