Alcohol Task Force to Present Recommendations to President Penley on Feb. 1; Hear Responses from Campus, Community Leaders

Note to Editors: Media are welcomed to attend. Interviews with President Penley, Lt. Gov. Norton and committee leadership will be available following the event. A multiple box will be provided.

The Colorado State University Alcohol Task Force will present its final report to President Larry Edward Penley at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 1 in Ammons Hall on the main Colorado State campus in Fort Collins.

Lt. Gov. Jane Norton, chair of the task force, will present the committee’s final recommendations to Penley, who will provide comments about the work of the task force and next steps for the university. Fort Collins Mayor Ray Martinez also will address the city’s roles and responsibilities regarding the task force and its recommendations.

The public is welcome to attend the event.

     "My hope is that the work of all of these concerned people coming together will have a powerful impact on a generation of students as they wrestle with the social dynamics of campus-college life," said Norton.

The Alcohol Task Force was appointed by 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. All task force meetings, including subcommittee meetings, were open to the public.

Linda Kuk, vice president for student affairs, and Cheryl Olson, a local community leader, serve as operational co-chairs of the task force. Additional task force membership includes state and community leaders, students, faculty, staff, and substance and alcohol abuse experts.

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 policies, protocols and practices associated with alcohol use and abuse at Hughes Stadium.

A Web site is accessible at www.colostate.edu that includes the charge of the task force and each subcommittee and lists meeting times, agendas, minutes and additional information.

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