Bucknell University Newspaper Cites DePauw's Efforts to Build a Responsible Community

November 20, 2003

November 20, 2003, Greencastle, Ind. - "DePauw University devoted several pages of its summer publication to the issues of alcohol responsibility and students' behavior," notes an article in Bucknell University's student newspaper, the Bucknellian. The story examines efforts by administrators at Bucknell to curb problem drinking on the Lewisburg, Pennsylvania campus. Meghan Fox writes, "The University is not alone in addressing alcoholism and the repercussions of binge drinking. College campuses across the country are taking a closer look at current school policies, local legislation and various possibilities to alleviate problematic behavior."

The story, entitled "Alcohol policy compares to policies at other schools," quotes DePauw University President Robert G. Bottoms, who launched an initiative to build a more responsible community at DePauw in March (read more here). “Alcohol abuse is not confined to the Greek living units,” Dr. Bottoms says. “We deal with the problem in the residence halls as well. Nor is there an absence of rules governing behavior. The rules are simply ineffective because those of a mind to break them always seem to find a way. Our purpose now is to change the ethos of the campus. We want to develop the type of community in which alcohol abuse is regarded as unacceptable behavior, and students take responsibility for each other.”

Fox writes that Bucknell's Dean of Students Richard Ferraro "hopes for a similar change on this campus as well. He wants to work with the students to institute a proactive approach rather than implementing more regulations. 'We would like to follow a moderate path,' Ferraro said. 'I think extreme regulation is unhelpful, and extreme intoxication is unhelpful as well.'” You can access the complete article at the Bucknellian's Web site by clicking here.

A new Web site is devoted to DePauw's commitment to “Building a Responsible Community.” It describes the work of the Coalition of students, faculty, staff and alumni who are examining the issue and lists members of the Coalition and three taskforces: Covenant, Greek Relations and Leadership. Also posted are minutes from task force meetings that have already occurred.

The text of President Bottoms' address of March 4, 2003 is also available, as well as two reports: “The DePauw Greek Community: An Assessment of the Environment” and “The Task Force on the Status of Women.” There also is a link to a new homepage for the Office of the President, which provides information about the University administration, DePauw's trustees and history of the office. Access the site by clicking here.

Norval Stephens, a 1951 graduate of DePauw and a member of the University's Board of Trustees, is co-chairing The Genesis Group, a coalition of more than 40 national and international fraternities and sororities that is committed to is working to change the culture of high-risk alcohol consumption that exists on college campuses across the nation. Read more about that by clicking here.

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