State conference to target binge drinking

Leaders from Michigan's 15 public colleges and universities plan to meet in Lansing today to discuss drinking-related problems that are common on campuses across the state.

Glenn Stevens, executive director of the Presidents Council, the organization of state colleges and universities hosting the event, said the participants at the half-day conference will focus on the impact and consequences of "celebration" drinking.

University Dean of Students E. Royster Harper, Health Services Educator and Binge Drinking Task Force member Marsha Benz and Kathy Klykylo of the University Research Council on Alcohol will represent the University at the conference.

Three students - Michigan Student Assembly President Trent Thompson, former Interfraternity Council President Brad Holcman and LSA senior Sarah Alverez, who is conducting research on alcohol - also are planning on attending the event.

Harper said conference participants will be looking at recent higher education policy trends in relation to campus alcohol issues, new campus initiatives to offer drinking alternatives and how students handle celebrations that include "when you turn 21, doing 21" shots.

"The idea is to share our collective wisdom to see what might emerge," Harper said.

Four recent deaths on campuses across the state have fueled discussion and action about binge drinking.

LSA first-year student Courtney Cantor died as a result of spinal and cranial fractures after falling from a window at Mary Markley Residence Hall on Oct. 16.

Cantor, a Chi Omega pledge, had been seen drinking at a Phi Delta Theta fraternity party hours before her death.

Michigan State University junior Bradley McCue died in November after downing 24 shots to celebrate his 21st birthday.

Another Michigan student, sophomore Adriane Allen of Ferris State University, died several hours after falling from her Big Rapids apartment window after a night of heavy drinking in January. Finally, a man who was not a student at Ferris State died at a sorority on the campus after a night of drinking.

"These losses spur us on and puts it on the front burner," Harper said.

Both Cantor and McCue's deaths were featured on a 48 Hours newsmagazine special on binge drinking at college campuses last month.

"We need to show that there are alternatives to drinking," Thompson said.

Although state educators hope to alter college students' attitudes toward binge drinking, many say the college drinking culture will be difficult to change.

"It has to be student driven in order to change the (drinking) culture on campus," Thompson said.

College leaders said they would like to involve students in their reform efforts.

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