Colorado State Leads National Discussion on Alcohol Awareness on College Campuses at Â??act Now’ Conference Oct. 16-18

The national Alcohol in College Towns Conference, or ACT Now, Oct. 16-18 on the Colorado State University campus is being led by the university in partnership with the city of Fort Collins to address issues of alcohol awareness on college campuses across the state and throughout the nation. ACT Now will coincide with National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week.

In response to the alcohol-related problems Colorado State and other universities throughout the nation faced in the fall of 2004, the Colorado State University Alcohol Task Force was established. The task force was formed on the belief that the university, in partnership with the community, owes students and their families a careful examination of the social dynamics and misuse behind alcohol and its tragic impacts on lives and communities. The university, under the leadership of President Larry Edward Penley, will present findings, recommendations and successes from the task force at the ACT Now conference and explain how accomplishments from this process can benefit campuses and communities nationwide.

The ACT Now conference is one part of Colorado State’s commitment to leading a national dialogue on the issue of alcohol awareness on university campuses across the country.

Over the course of the conference, workshop tracks will be focused on prevention, education and treatment; laws, legislation and policies; and alcohol management at athletic and special events. Conference participants also will have the opportunity to attend sessions on the Greek Seal of Approval, Alcohol Use Trends, Law Enforcement Panel, Sustainability, Community Coalition Development, Transitions, Liquor Retailers Panel and many more topics.

"Alcohol in college towns is a critical issue to the entire community," said Darin Atteberry, Fort Collins city manager. "Together, cities and campuses need to create an environment that supports young adults as they learn and develop their lives as responsible citizens. The city of Fort Collins and Colorado State University collaborate in every possible way just for this reason. The ACT conference is an excellent venue to bring together community and campus professionals to talk about alcohol and how it affects our quality of life."

ACT Now leaders and panelists will provide insight, experience, research, case studies and practical next steps to alcohol education and awareness programs that can be implemented in communities and campuses across the nation. ACT speakers and panelists include Colorado Lt. Gov. Jane Norton; Corkie Odell from Odell Brewing Company; Linda Majors from the University of Nebraska; Troy Evatt, an ADAD business analyst and researcher; Bill Young from Coors; Dr. Paul Oliaro from California State University-Fresno; Julie Rosenbluth from Phoenix House in New York; and Colorado State Representative Angie Paccione.

James Surowiecki, a financial columnist for the New Yorker and author of "The Wisdom of the Crowds," is the conference’s keynote speaker. He will discuss how the best decisions will emerge from organizations that value independent judgment by individuals and "the wisdom of crowds."

Registration for the three-day conference is $145 for individuals. Groups are encouraged to attend the conference. Registration for teams with two to three people is $125 each, and for groups with four or more, the cost is $100 each. The student rate is $100. Registration deadline is Sept. 30, 2005.

For additional information and to register, visit www.actnow.colostate.edu.

Schedule of events:

Oct. 16

3-5:30 p.m.          Registration

6 p.m.               The Colorado State University Experience

Oct. 17

8-9 a.m.          Keynote address by James Surowiecki

9:15 a.m.-noon             Breakout sessions

Noon-1 p.m.          Lunch with student panel

1-5 p.m.          Community Readiness Model

Oct. 18

8-8:45 a.m.          Round table discussions

9 a.m.-noon          Breakout sessions

Noon-1 p.m.          Lunch with legislative panel and Lt.Gov. Jane Norton

1-4 p.m.          Putting the Plan into Play

4-4:30 p.m.          Closing remarks

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