Create Campus and Community Partnerships

When college drinking is reframed as a community and college problem, campus and community leaders are more likely to come together to address it comprehensively.  The joint activities that typically result help produce policy and enforcement reforms that affect the total drinking environment. 

There are times when a few committed individuals can mobilize to make real, lasting change.  Situations also arise when a campus and community need to establish a coalition to accomplish common goals.  Coalitions can help to improve town-gown relationships and enable key groups such as students, student affairs offices, residence life directors, local police, retail alcohol outlets, and the court system to work cooperatively in resolving issues involving students.  However, some communities prefer a less formal and rigid structure to address alcohol issues and forgo coalitions relying on small groups or committees of like-minded individuals working together.

Both coalitions and committees work to advance various policy options and activities.  A first step is to ensure that an existing coalition and committees has representation from the university student body to ensure that the student voice is heard.  If no structured group exists, this is a great project to undertake.  Be aware that relationships may be strained between the community and campus due to the unique challenges faced by both.  Be sensitive to all the issues as you begin to bring the "players" together.  Establishing a coalition or committee allows all resources to be pooled in order to address the challenges unique to a college town.   Your group of committed individuals should include:

• Student
• Faculty-staff
• Administration
• Parents
• Community members
• Law enforcement
• Local business owners
• Members of the legal and judicial community
• Members of existing statewide or regional college prevention programs

Committee Resource: Communities Mobilizing for Change on Alcohol

Coalition Resource: Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) Strategizer 34