Making an M-PACT

Student athletes work to improve campus

Last week, student athletes involved in Michigan Peer Advisers Creating Trust announced their new plans for an alcohol awareness initiative encompassing all Michigan sports teams. M-PACT is a peer advising program compromised of and for student athletes. Since its founding in 1995, M-PACT has included 105 student-athlete representatives from 21 of Michigan's 23 varsity sports. M-PACT has opened the opportunity to discuss serious campus issues, such as the newest initiative taken by the group that focuses on alcohol. The initiative requires each team to develop guidelines on responsible alcohol consumption.

For better or for worse, the University's athletic programs receive more national press an any other part of the school. Athletes serve as ambassadors - they represent the University to the nation. Their actions are watched more carefully than the average student. Because of their status, the members of the athletic community serve as role models for many other students. With the highly publicized alcohol-related student deaths on campuses across the nation, binge-drinking in particular is a hot topic. The spotlight on college campuses highlights the need for educational, peer-oriented groups like M-PACT.

M-PACT leaders have recognized that there are many problems on campus and that they could successfully combat problems with the help of student athletes. M-PACT leaders are also aware that while they cannot get people to stop drinking, they can help them with their problems and provide guidance. Trying to stop athletes - or any other students - from drinking is clearly the wrong way to attack drinking-related problems on campus. Alcohol is an integral part of the campus social scene at the University and nationwide - a fact that M-PACT accepts, as any group wishing to be taken seriously by students would have to.

M-PACT's long term goals will be to institute team guidelines and work their initiative into BALANCE, an orientation program that covers a myriad of campus issues such as personal safety, sex, drugs and alcohol. BALANCE focuses on issues that affect the lives of almost every college student. Many students arrive at the University unaware of the reality of these issues - yet eager to test their newfound freedom. While not focusing on responsible drinking before, the new alcohol initiative developed by M-PACT will definitely add a very important component to the orientation program.

Students behind M-PACT should be commended for taking on a leadership role and helping shape both the image and actions of the athletic community. Rather than preaching "just say no" - or letting an authoritative group, such as the athletic department, call the shots - these students have taken matters into their own hands and developed a program that they believe students like themselves will benefit from.

04-01-99