Wesleyan community members,
High-risk drinking is a complicated issue that the University is committed to addressing. Part of this commitment is our ongoing involvement in the National College Health Improvement Project (NCHIP) on high-risk drinking. Using proven, evidence-based practices, the objective of the collaborative is to work together to reduce high-risk drinking at participant institutions as well as the associated harms resulting from this behavior.
High-risk drinking is a public health concern and our efforts will continue to focus on the many facets of this including, the individual, the system and the environment. Due to the impact on the environment including the larger Wesleyan community we have planned a community discussion on high-risk drinking to take place on April 2nd from 8-9pm in Shanklin 107. This discussion is being convened in an effort to have a realistic dialogue about the harms of high-risk drinking and the positive aspects of choosing to drink responsibly as seen through the eyes of community members. The health and safety of students and the community will be the driving force behind this conversation.
Many students, faculty, staff and other community members have expressed concern about high risk drinking, often not knowing what to do about it. This discussion will aim to give voice to those who have seen the harms and have yet to have a safe place to voice them. High risk drinking is an issue about which the entire community is equally concerned due to the signifcant negative impact.
We are asking that anyone who would like to participate in or listen to this discussion please attend. Please call Tanya Purdy at 860-685-2466 with any questions about the discussion.
Sincerely, Tanya Purdy, MPH; Director of WesWell, Office of Health Education