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Final Report of the Alcohol Task Force

The full report was presented to CSU President Larry Edward Penley on Feb. 1.

Final Report (PDF - requires Adobe Reader)
Appendices of the report (PDF - requires Adobe Reader)
Executive Summary

Executive Summary

The Colorado State University Alcohol Task Force was charged with:

Reviewing University policies, protocols and enforcement procedures related to alcohol use and abuse on campus and in the greater Fort Collins community;
Examining student behavior related to alcohol use and abuse and how Colorado State's education, prevention and intervention programs and practices compared with best practices nationally;
Examining existing state and federal legislation regarding alcohol provisions and consumption, specific ordinances, distribution laws and practices used within the Fort Collins community;
Reviewing advertising practices and standards that are used on campus and within the greater Fort Collins community that directly impact the consumption and abuse of alcohol among college students;
Outlining the impact of the existing societal cultures around such use and abuse; and
Reviewing policies, protocols and practices associated with alcohol use and abuse at Hughes Stadium.

The Task Force was asked to make recommendations to Colorado State University President Larry Edward Penley by February 1, 2005, to improve the campus and the surrounding community regarding these issues. Specifically, these recommendations should be focused on reducing alcohol abuse and negative consequences this abuse may have on student behavior, life safety, and the quality of life for students and the greater community.

We trust that these recommendations offer useful insights and actions that can be adopted by other college campuses and their respective communities regarding problems associated with alcohol use and abuse that plagues universities throughout the nation.

The Alcohol Task Force consisted of the full Task Force and four subcommittees, which addressed specific charges. The four subcommittees included:

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; and
The subcommittee on the use of alcohol at Hughes Stadium, which is reviewing polices, protocols and practices associated with alcohol use and abuse at Hughes Stadium.

The Alcohol Task Force recommends the following to President Penley.

Recommendation 1.1: Enhance and strengthen Colorado State University's alcohol and drug information available to the public on the University's Web site.
Recommendation 1.2: Review all written materials with references related to alcohol policies (e.g. general catalog, Residence Hall handbook, parent handbook, etc.) to ensure that information is easy to find. The key terms of "alcohol and/or drug" should be included in the index or in the table of contents.
Recommendation 1.3: Establish a committee charged with monitoring and reviewing progress of the 2004-2005 Alcohol Task Force. This committee replaces the current committee on drug and alcohol use.
Recommendation 1.4: Strengthen the partnership between Colorado State University and the City of Fort Collins in addressing off-campus housing issues related to student behavior.
Recommendation 1.5: Review and recommend changes to alcohol policies to ensure consistency across campus for students and staff.
Recommendation 1.6: Initiate a campus education program for students and parents regarding city, county and state alcohol-related ordinances.
Recommendation 2.1: Transform current DAY (Drugs, Alcohol and You) programs into a comprehensive program to address prevention, education, intervention and treatment needs across the continuum of alcohol and drug use among Colorado State University students.
Recommendation 2.2: Provide a substance-free housing alternative.
Recommendation 2.3: Engage Colorado State University (ASCSU, CRSCS, Athletics, Department of Alcohol and Drug Prevention, Collegian, University Relations, SLCE, CASA, Housing and Dining Services), TEAM Fort Collins, Poudre School District, and the Fort Collins Most of Us© Project in a comprehensive social norms campaign. The aforementioned team will serve as the over-arching coordinating body for all social norms activities. The recommended approach will follow the model established by the Most of Us© Montana Social Norms Project.
Recommendation 2.4: Take the next steps in fulfillment of Greek Life Statement of Expectations which addresses values, practices, social and academic behavior.
Recommendation 2.5: Research and assess transitions into College for incoming undergraduate students, including the risk and protective factors involved. The results would assist in creating a "success" contract for these students. The contract idea includes contracting for positive involvement and academic success behaviors, use of University resources in strengthening areas of risk, and regular updates related to how well the student is staying on track. Possible implementation could include a yearly mentoring/recitation/class with facilitation from trained peer facilitators for each academic level.
Recommendation 2.6: Colorado State University will collaborate with Fort Collins Police Services and TEAM Fort Collins in the implementation of the Colorado Department of Transportation Grant (awarded 11/23/04) to create a comprehensive program to reduce underage drinking.
Recommendation 2.7: Increase communication and contact with parents and families.
Recommendation 2.8: Develop, fund and support a student-led organization focusing primarily on alcohol-poisoning prevention.
Recommendation 2.9: Begin planning for a conference in the spring to share results of Task Force work with other regional schools. Partner with the Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE) to provide an annual conference.
Recommendation 2.10: Create a comprehensive education program to raise student awareness about city, county, state, and local ordinances, and to prepare students to live off campus.
Recommendation 3.1: Support RAMRide policy changes in order to append and enhance the service for Colorado State students and to secure it long-term.
Recommendation 3.2: Evaluate night use of Transfort, and encourage the City of Fort Collins to partner in creating a solution for providing safe transportation for students in the evening hours.
Recommendation 3.3: Identify a mechanism to develop an alcohol and drugs awareness course to be permitted for credit within the Health and Wellness curriculum.
Recommendation 3.4: Continue to review the Collegian's advertising policies related to alcohol, liquor stores, bars and restaurants that serve alcohol.
Recommendation 3.5: Initiate a national dialogue related to personal responsibility, social responsibility, education and appropriate socialization of young people related to alcohol.
Recommendation 3.6: Explore with the City of Fort Collins and fund a two-year pilot program titled Neighborhood Resource Coordinator Program, and evaluate its effectiveness after a one-year period.
Recommendation 3.7: Establish a City-Colorado State collaborative effort to educate landlords about best practices to create leases and lease addendums that encourage responsible alcohol-related tenant behavior. The Community Liaison Program works closely with landlords creating a set of standards and lease addendums to encourage responsible alcohol-related tenant behavior. This includes creating templates for lease addendums that distinctly describe responsible alcohol-related behavior including but not limited to noise, number of people attending a party, trash and public urination. Create workshops for landlords to educate them about developing positive and responsible relationships with tenants. Develop a recognition program for responsible landlords and tenants.
Recommendation 3.8: Encourage retailers to adopt a code of ethics for responsible retailing related to promotions, advertising and business practices through collaboration between Colorado State University, City of Fort Collins, Larimer County officials and local alcohol retailers.
Recommendation 3.9: Establish a coalition comprised of representatives from alcohol retailers, Team Fort Collins, the Colorado State Student Affairs office, the Colorado State Department of Alcohol and Drug Prevention, City of Fort Collins Neighborhood Resources Office, and Colorado State and local law enforcement agencies - meet at least quarterly to monitor progress on the code of ethics issues.
Recommendation 3.10: Support the creation of a detoxification service in Fort Collins.
Recommendation 3.11: Recommend that the City of Fort Collins staff review, strengthen enforcement and/or expand penalties for violations of existing ordinances related to alcohol abuse, especially those related to minors in possession of alcohol, fake IDs, noise violations and penalties for those in the supply chain who provide alcohol illegally to those under the legal age of 21.
Recommendation 3.12: Encourage members of the Colorado General Assembly to develop a statute that makes it possible for individuals to report alcohol-related medical problems to authorities and for this appropriate action to be considered in any possible legal consequences resulting from the behavior leading to the medical emergency.
Recommendation 3.13: Recommend the State Legislature review existing alcohol regulations and legislation related to minor in possession, fake IDs and providing alcohol to minors. We also recommend that the state support legislative resolutions that would encourage warning signs to be placed in liquor stores.
Recommendation 3.14: Support legislative efforts to ban Alcohol Without Liquid (AWOL) in the State of Colorado until such time that it can be shown to be a safe method of ingesting alcohol.
Recommendation 3.15: Recommend that the State Legislature consider making alcohol server training mandatory vs. existing responsible vendor act provisions.
Recommendation 3.16: Recommend that the State Legislature oppose proposed legislation to sell hard liquor on Sundays.
Recommendation 4.1: CSUPD will work with the Athletics Department to implement most effective and efficient way to screen for contraband entering the stadium and for visibly intoxicated fans.
Recommendation 4.2: Implement a limited pat down of fans at the entrances to Hughes Stadium. Many venues have implemented limited pat downs, successfully decreasing the number of items entering the stadiums that might be used as projectiles causing potential injury to fans.
Recommendation 4.3: Eliminate all drinking games and related paraphernalia (including but not limited to quarters, beer bongs and beer pong set ups).
Recommendation 4.4: Provide stricter enforcement of underage drinking by requiring wristbands for of-age fans in tailgate areas.
Recommendation 4.5: Prohibit spirituous (hard) liquors in tailgate areas at Hughes Stadium. (See Subcommittee 4 Appendix A-9 for definition.)
Recommendation 4.6: Increase the number of Positive Impact volunteers to assist with regulation of aforementioned recommendations.
Recommendation 4.7: Impose stricter consequences for violations of aforementioned policy recommendations, and minimize repeat offenders by imposing appropriate consequences.
Recommendation 4.8: Investigate alternative programming in tailgate areas prior to the game and special incentives to encourage fans to enter the stadium earlier.
Recommendation 4.9: Consider one of the following two options recommended by the Alcohol Task Force as the strategy for addressing alcohol-related issues and problems at Hughes Stadium.
1. In conjunction with the full implementation of recommendations 4.1 through 4.8, lift the suspension of beer sales at Hughes Stadium. Stop sales at the end of halftime. Reinstate beer sales policies and practices already in place.
2. Eliminate the sale and consumption of all alcohol at Hughes Stadium and its surrounding property, including parking areas.
Recommendation 4.10: Investigate increasing safety and enhancing fan experience by improving the lighting and signage in the parking lot at Hughes Stadium.
Recommendation 4.11: Improve stadium entryways by replacing stairs with walkup ramps when future improvements are planned for Hughes Stadium and surrounding areas.

Colorado State University

Colorado State University is a world-class higher education system renowned for quality faculty and sophisticated programs. Students remain Colorado State's highest priority, and the University's core focus is to ensure academic excellence and student success. This definition of student success highlights the importance of developing people of character who understand their roles and responsibilities in a civil society.

The University is committed to taking all necessary steps to help students succeed outside of the classroom as well as in the academic environment. This commitment includes working to educate and positively influence students about alcohol use, abuse, prevention and treatment to help ensure their academic and personal success.

Alcohol Task Force

In fall 2004, Colorado State witnessed the tragic results of alcohol abuse. President Larry Edward Penley immediately embraced a responsibility and opportunity to take a bold and unprecedented look at the influence of alcohol on campuses, and to develop specific actions that can create a healthier, safer and more responsible environment for young people to study, learn, live and thrive.

The principal goal of the Alcohol Task Force is to make positive strides in creating a safe, healthy campus and community that supports academic excellence and the personal success of students.

The Colorado State University Alcohol Task Force was established on the continued belief that the University, in partnership with the community and society at large, owes it to our young people and their families to carefully examine the social dynamics and misuse behind alcohol and its tragic impacts on lives and communities. We commend Colorado State President Penley for taking the bold initiative to create the Alcohol Task Force to both look seriously at the underlying issues that lead to irresponsible drinking and to find solutions that can make a real difference on this campus and throughout the nation.

President Penley assembled a dedicated group of people from diverse backgrounds, bringing vast experiences, expertise and interests to this vital endeavor. But, the one thing all Task Force members have in common is a strong desire to join forces in changing the culture that underlies alcohol misuse and its consequences, and further do what is necessary to create a learning environment that promotes academic excellence and personal success.

The Task Force has focused on more than simply reducing the number of negative alcohol-related incidents that occur each year: we are attempting to provide ideas to begin changing the attitudes and perceptions of alcohol that underlie its misuse and its consequences on campus. Our efforts focus not on any type of blanket prohibition of drinking, but on changing the culture of drinking on campuses and in surrounding communities.

In addressing this problem, we recognize that alcohol abuse is a nationwide, longstanding problem with no quick fixes.

We acknowledge the importance of basing decisions and recommendations on evidence-based research and not emotion.

We acknowledge that students' drinking habits are influenced by a variety of personal and environmental factors, including family influences, personality and a person's biological or genetic susceptibility to alcohol abuse.

We additionally realize that although the consequences of excessive drinking are widespread and destructive, there are larger numbers of students who either abstain from drinking all together or who drink responsibly.

We recognize that Colorado State University is regarded a national leader on alcohol policies, practices, prevention strategies and intervention. We applaud the University's efforts, but as with any system, it can improve. And that is what the Task Force is striving to do - examine how to best build on the foundation that already exists.

We also strongly believe that the struggle against alcohol abuse is a campus-community problem. This endeavor has taken, and will continue to require, our best team effort to ensure long-term success.

We have operated openly and have continually encouraged and embraced public input. We hope that we have conducted our deliberations in a way that will inspire public confidence in our process, and that the public will view our efforts as having integrity.

Collectively we are offering the following report and recommendations for real solutions to the problem of alcohol abuse, not only for our University, but also for campus communities throughout the nation.

Creating the Task Force - Sequence of Events

The fall 2004 semester began with two nights of destructive, alcohol-fueled riots involving University students, and was closely followed with the tragic death of Colorado State sophomore Samantha Spady who was found dead in a fraternity house from alcohol poisoning.

Colorado State President Penley commissioned the University's Alcohol Task Force. Made up of University and community leaders, the Task Force was established to more closely examine a wide range of issues, including binge drinking and underage drinking among students, and the culture of fraternity and sorority systems and the institution. In addition to reviewing current Colorado State programs and policies to ensure the University's efforts are effective, the committee was instructed to analyze best practices around the nation and to provide a report and recommendations to President Penley by February 1, 2005.

The University has a history of taking quick and decisive action with students regarding alcohol-related issues and conduct and safety concerns. The decision to create a Task Force reinforced Colorado State's commitment to its students, their parents and the Fort Collins community.

In creating the Alcohol Task Force and in involving members who truly care about the University and the young people of Colorado, President Penley, University and community leaders are seeking real solutions that will work in the Fort Collins community and also provide a national model for others to emulate at campuses throughout the country.

On September 14, 2004, Lt. Gov. Jane Norton, a Colorado State University graduate with a background in public health, agreed to lead the Task Force. Lt. Gov. Norton, who served as executive director of the state's Department of Public Health and Environment prior to being elected to her current post, served as chair of the committee. Prior to joining Gov. Bill Owens' administration, Norton was tapped by Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush to serve as the six-state (Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming) regional director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She has also served as a member of the Colorado House of Representatives.

In addition to Norton, Linda Kuk, Colorado State vice president for Student Affairs and dean of Admissions, and Cheryl Olson, a community leader with experience in mental health and substance abuse issues, also agreed to serve as working chairs for the committee.

On September 16, 2004, President Penley announced the full membership of the Alcohol Task Force including state and community leaders, students, faculty, staff and substance and alcohol abuse experts.

Background

Colorado State University has long been considered a nationwide collegiate leader in alcohol and collegiate-based substance abuse education and prevention efforts. For example, Colorado State is nationally renowned for effective substance abuse treatment programs through its Department of Alcohol and Drug Prevention. The center offers a wide range of volunteer and mandatory alcohol and substance-related programs for students. Colorado State is home to the nation's first collegiate drug court, a proactive method to effectively addressing repeat alcohol and drug users by reducing high-risk drinking behavior and recidivism while increasing student retention. Known as Day IV, the program has a 72 percent success rate and is being modeled by the National Association of Drug Court Professionals and a coalition of leaders in higher education to develop a nationwide collegiate drug court program.

The members of the Alcohol Task Force recognize the existing programs and efforts of Colorado State University to address alcohol abuse and the dedication of faculty, staff and students to these programs. The recommendations included in this report are not meant to minimize what is currently in existence, rather that these programs continue to be supported and expanded wherever possible, including:

Department of Alcohol and Drug Prevention;
The Alcohol Standing Committee;
Drugs, Alcohol and You;
Peer Education Program;
Live Life Late alternative activities; and
Partnership between Colorado State Off-Campus Housing and the City of Fort Collins Neighborhood Resource Office.

However, University leaders realize that while much effort has been made and success achieved in this area, more needs to be done. Alcohol use and abuse is a major, national drug problem on college campuses, and Colorado State is no exception. According to the National Advisory Council on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, national consequences of collegian alcohol abuse include 1,400 deaths, 500,000 injuries, 600,000 assaults, 2.1 million drunk-driving incidents and a multitude of additional problems each year. According to the Journal of American College Health, a recent study found that one in three college students qualified for formal diagnoses of alcohol abuse, and one in 17 could be diagnosed as alcohol dependent.

Alcohol Task Force Charge, Members and Subcommittees

Alcohol Task Force Charge

The Colorado State University Alcohol Task Force was charged with reviewing current Colorado State policies, protocols and enforcement procedures related to alcohol use and abuse on the Colorado State campus and in the greater Fort Collins community; examining the continuum of college student behavior related to alcohol use and abuse and how Colorado State's education, prevention, and intervention programs and practices compared with best practices nationally; and examining existing state and federal legislation surrounding alcohol provisions and consumption, specific ordinances, distribution laws and practices used within the Fort Collins community, reviewing advertising practices and standards that are used on campus and within the greater Fort Collins community that directly impact the consumption and abuse of alcohol among college age students; and outlining the impact of the existing societal cultures around such use and abuse. In addition, the Task Force specifically reviewed policies, protocols and practices associated with alcohol use and abuse at Hughes Stadium.

The Task Force was asked to make specific recommendations to the President of Colorado State University regarding improvements the campus and the surrounding Fort Collins community could make regarding these issues, with the specific purpose of reducing the incidents of alcohol abuse and existing negative consequences this abuse may have on student behavior, life safety and the quality of life for students and the greater community. We trust that these findings and recommendations also may provide useful insights and proposed actions that can be adopted by other college campuses and their respective communities regarding the problems associated with alcohol use and abuse that plagues all colleges across the county.

Alcohol Task Force Members

Jane Norton, Lieutenant Governor of Colorado, Chair of the Committee;
Linda Kuk, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Admissions, Operational Co-chair of the Committee;
Cheryl Olson, Community Leader, Operational Co-chair of the Committee;
Darin Atteberry, City Manager, City of Fort Collins;
Dorothy Bland, President/Publisher, The Fort Collins Coloradoan;
Brad Bohlander (ex-officio), University Relations, Colorado State University;
Jeff Browne, Director, Colorado State University Student Media;
Katie Clausen, President, Associated Students of Colorado State University;
Paul Cooper, Chief Probation Officer, 8th Judicial District;
Scoot Crandall, Executive Director, TEAM Fort Collins;
Tim Davies, Professor of Education, Colorado State University;
Jerry Deffenbacher, Professor of Psychology, Colorado State University;
Larry Denmark, Rabbi, Psychologist, Addiction Expert;
Michael Feeley, Commissioner, Colorado Commission of Higher Education;
Dennis Harrison, Chief of Police, City of Fort Collins;
Anne Hudgens, Executive Director of Campus Life, Colorado State University;
Pat Hutchison, President of InterFraternity Council, Colorado State University;
Jarrod Kay, President of Residence Hall Association, Colorado State University;
Guadalupe Lemos-Sigward, Mental Health Specialist, Poudre School District;
C.W. Miller, Chairman, Colorado State University Faculty Council;
Arlene Nededog, Director of Retention Programs, Colorado State University's College of Natural Sciences;
Jackie Nguyen, Outreach Coordinator, Colorado State University Counseling Center;
Dave Nichols, President and General Manager, High Country Beverage;
Nora Oakson, support staff;
Yolanda Penley, Community Member, Lecturer in Colorado State University's School of Education;
Ann Quinn-Zobeck, Director of Impaired Driving Pevention Initiatives, The BACCHUS & GAMMMA Peer Education Network (an international association of college- and university-based peer education programs focusing on alcohol-abuse prevention and other related student health and safety issues);
Jeff Rodriguez, Student, Colorado State University;
Jim Weber, Assistant Director of Alcohol and Drug Education, Colorado State University; and
Dexter Yarbrough, Chief of Police, Colorado State University.

Alcohol Task Force Subcommittees

The Alcohol Task Force consisted of the full Task Force and four subcommittees. The subcommittees served as working committees to address the specific charges and make appropriate recommendations regarding their discovery and analysis.

The four subcommittees included 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 is reviewing polices, protocols and practices associated with alcohol use and abuse at Hughes Stadium.

The subcommittees were directed to base their decisions on sound science and not emotion. They were also instructed to meet as necessary outside of committee meetings to achieve their charges: subcommittees generally met at least once per week throughout the duration of the Task Force. The subcommittees were instructed to then report actions and progress back to the larger committee at full Alcohol Task Force meetings.

The following are principles that were provided to the subcommittees for use in evaluating ideas and recommendations to bring forth to the larger committee:

Do recommendations address the charge?
Are recommendations evidence based? Are they supported by research and evaluation?
Are recommendations sustainable? Can they be institutionalized? Are they sufficient in dose and follow-up?
Are recommendations realistic? Does the administration have the ability to support the recommendations with adequate staffing? Do they involve students? Can the University consistently enforce the recommendations?
Do the recommendations have an identified, adequate funding source if necessary?
Are recommendations integrated, are they a campus/community partnership?
Are recommendations adopted by consent of the subcommittee members?

Full Committee Meetings

Task Force leaders led the group's first meeting on September 30, 2004 on the Colorado State University main campus in Fort Collins. The full Task Force met once per month through the end of the year and twice in January with the goal of finalizing the Task Force report to present to Colorado State President Penley by February 1, 2005. All full Task Force meetings were open to the public and time for public comment was provided at the end of each meeting. A complete list of meeting times and locations follows.

Sept. 30, 3-6 p.m., North Ballroom, Lory Student Center;
Oct. 28, 3-6 p.m., Room 228, Lory Student Center;
Nov. 18, 3-6 p.m., Room 228, Lory Student Center;
Dec. 9, 3-6 p.m., Room 228, Lory Student Center;
Jan. 20, 3-6 p.m., Room 228, Lory Student Center; and
Jan. 27, 3-6 p.m., Room 228, Lory Student Center.

Subcommittee Meetings

The subcommittees were required to meet as necessary to complete their work. Other than the first subcommittee meetings held immediately following the first full committee Task Force meeting on September 30, all subcommittee meetings were open to the public.

Alcohol Task Force Public Outreach and Communication Efforts

At the first Alcohol Task Force meeting, committee members, led by Lt. Gov. Jane Norton, working co-chair Linda Kuk and working co-chair Cheryl Olson, made clear publicly that a key to the success of the Task Force was to hear comments, suggestions and feedback from students, parents, community members and all of those concerned with alcohol use at Colorado State and on campuses throughout the nation. From its first meeting, the Alcohol Task Force welcomed and encouraged public comment and involvement. Following are the primary public outreach and communication efforts conducted by the Alcohol Task Force.

Open Committee and Subcommittee Meetings

All committee meetings were well publicized in local and regional media. Several subcommittee meetings and related forums were also publicized in the media. Dates, times and locations of upcoming committee and subcommittee meetings were posted on the Alcohol Task Force Web site.

Alcohol Task Force Web Site

Before the first Alcohol Task Force meeting was scheduled, the Alcohol Task Force Web site was created and posted online as an information resource for the public. The Task Force Web site was continually updated with information and its address was well publicized in local and regional media. Additionally, the site was highlighted on several other key Colorado State Web pages to reach a broad audience.

The Alcohol Task Force Web site was developed as the primary ongoing communication link between the Task Force and those interested in its work. The site was created to provide information about upcoming meetings and events as well as details from each Task Force meeting so that all interested individuals, whether or not they attended the meetings, could be kept fully informed about the committee and its progress. As such, the Web site included:

Overviews of the committee and subcommittees;
Task Force and subcommittee charges;
A list of committee members;
Full committee and subcommittee meeting times, agendas and minutes; and
Statistics, data and other related resources.

The site also included a variety of additional documents presented at Task Force meetings, including:

Remarks by President Penley and Lt. Gov. Norton;
Presentations provided by experts at committee meetings;
Subcommittee progress reports;
Summary reports of e-mails to the committee;
Task Force communications summaries;
Task Force timelines;
Final recommendations process and procedures;
Information about related University and community programs; and
A variety of other committee-related information.

The Web site is available online at www.president.colostate.edu/alcohol_task_force.

Online Comment Form and Public E-mail Address

In early October, an online comment form was posted and highlighted on the Colorado State Alcohol Task Force Web site where students, parents, community members and anyone concerned with student-related alcohol issues could make comments and suggestions to the Task Force. The comment form allowed individuals to send comments to the main Task Force committee or to specific subcommittees, and was promoted through an initial press release and then as part of additional releases and ongoing communication efforts.

An e-mail address was also created and promoted so individuals could e-mail comments directly to the Alcohol Task Force without using the form. An address was also provided where individuals could mail written comments.

The online form and e-mails generated more than 360 comments and suggestions to the committee. Comments received were used to gain community perspectives regarding alcohol use and abuse at the University as well as perceptions about the work and progress of the Task Force.

Press Activities

Throughout the duration of the Alcohol Task Force, 12 press releases were written and distributed through local and regional media promoting the Alcohol Task Force, its committee meetings, subcommittee meetings, open forums, neighborhood meetings and opportunities for the public input.

Based on a cursory news review of primarily regional media outlets, more than 70 news articles and broadcasts specifically highlighted the Alcohol Task Force. Although many dozens of other stories mentioned the Task Force as part of related articles, the stories included in this count focus specifically on Colorado State's Alcohol Task Force and its work. The media coverage indicates that information about the Task Force was widely distributed to the public.

Colorado State e-Updates

Information about the Alcohol Task Force, including requests for feedback, was included in two Colorado State e-Updates, each distributed to approximately 40,000 alumni and friends.

e-Comment

Twelve stories promoting the Alcohol Task Force, its meetings and opportunities for public comment were highlighted on e-Comment, Colorado State's daily electronic newsletter distributed to all University faculty and staff.

Comment

Three stories about the Alcohol Task Force, its meetings and opportunities for public comment appeared in Comment, Colorado State's weekly printed newspaper distributed to University faculty and staff.

Ram Mail

News releases were e-mailed to all University students regarding committee meetings as well as opportunities for public participation and comment.

Open Forum

On the evening of October 21, the Colorado State University Alcohol Task Force subcommittee on the use of alcohol at Hughes Stadium hosted an open forum in the Lory Student Center. The forum offered students, parents and community members the opportunity to provide opinions and suggestions to the subcommittee regarding the beer ban and the future of alcohol at Hughes.

The open forum was well publicized in campus, Fort Collins and Denver media. An invitation was additionally e-mailed to all Colorado State students as well as posted for all faculty and staff on e-Comment.

Approximately 25 students and community members participated in the open forum. Participants' comments and suggestions were used by the subcommittee to gain campus and community perspectives regarding alcohol use and abuse at Hughes Stadium.

Online Survey about the Future of Alcohol at Hughes Stadium

In mid-November, the Colorado State University Alcohol Task Force subcommittee on the use of alcohol at Hughes Stadium invited the public to participate in an online survey the group had created to gather feedback from students, parents and community members regarding the future of alcohol at Hughes. The short survey included questions about the future of beer sales inside the stadium as well as allowing alcohol at tailgates outside the stadium before games. The results of the survey were used to assist the Alcohol Task Force in understanding community perspectives regarding alcohol at Hughes Stadium.

An invitation to participate in the survey was e-mailed to all Colorado State students, faculty and staff, season ticket holders and more than 14,000 front-range Colorado State alumni. A press release was distributed to the media announcing the online survey and a link to the survey was posted on the Alcohol Task Force Web site. The survey generated more than 7,500 responses.

Neighborhood Meetings

The Alcohol Task Force subcommittee on alcohol related legislation, distribution and advertising hosted two neighborhood relations meetings to allow members of the community who live in areas dominated by college students and/or fraternity houses the opportunity to discuss concerns relating to students and alcohol use. The first meeting was held on November 29 in the city's Neighborhood Resources Office and was attended by 30 community members. The second meeting was held December 8 at the Larimer County Building and was attended by 30 community members. Input from community members was used to gain community perspectives regarding alcohol use and abuse by students in Fort Collins' neighborhoods.