SDSU News Release - SDSU President Selected to Join National Group of Leaders in Fighting Student Substance Abuse

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Jason Foster
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SDSU President Selected to Join National Group
of Leaders in Fighting Student Substance Abuse

SAN DIEGO, Friday, April 5, 2002 - The U.S. Department of Education's Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention has selected San Diego State University president Stephen L. Weber to serve on the Presidents Leadership Group (PLG), a body of higher education presidents and chancellors who have demonstrated their commitment to student substance abuse prevention. The PLG includes higher education officials from 31 campuses in 22 states.

"This is really a tribute to San Diego State University, which has become a recognized national leader in combating student alcohol and drug-related problems," Weber said. "It's an honor to join this group of leaders in higher education who are dedicated to enhancing the health, safety and welfare of their students through awareness, enforcement and other methods."

The new PLG members were chosen based on their previous leadership and their plans for future leadership in alcohol and other drug prevention.

Weber recently chaired a California State University committee on enforcement of alcohol and drug policies. He also has been a central figure in the San Diego County College Presidents' forum on Underage and Binge Drinking, a new coalition of universities, law enforcement and public health officials. He also has supported awareness and enforcement efforts by faculty and University Police, as well as the hiring of an alcohol and other drugs (AOD) initiatives coordinator who's responsible for evaluating the effectiveness of SDSU's substance abuse prevention programs.

In addition, recent studies by SDSU researchers show SDSU's student binge drinking rate has dropped to 43 percent below the national average.

"Presidential leadership is a critical component of successful prevention efforts on college and university campuses, and of effective partnerships between these institutions and their surrounding communities," said William DeJong, director of the Higher Education Center. "We are looking forward to seeing these presidents serve as change agents in their campus communities, and also as models for other presidents who are looking to take action."

The following 26 college and university leaders have been selected to be part of the PLG:

Institution	President/Chancellor	State
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania	Jessica Kozloff	PA
California State University, Fresno	John Welty	CA
California State University System	Charles B. Reed	CA
Clarkson College	J. W. Upright	NE
College of Santa Fe	Linda Hanson	NM
Edgewood College	James Ebben	WI
Frederick Community College	Patricia Stanley	MD
Gustavus Adolphus College	Axel Steuer	MN
Lehigh University	Gregory Farrington	PA
The Ohio State University	William Kirwan	OH
SUNY, Potsdam	John Fallon	NY
San Diego State University	Stephen Weber	CA
Southeastern Louisiana University	Randy Moffett	LA
University at Albany, SUNY	Karen Hitchcock	NY
University of Bridgeport	Neil Salonen	CT
University of California, Santa Barbara	Henry Yang	CA
University of Delaware	David Roselle	DE
University of Kentucky	Lee Todd	KY
University of Puget Sound	Susan Pierce	WA
University of Missouri, Rolla	Gary Thomas	MO
University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg	Frank Cassell	PA
University of San Diego	Alice Hayes	CA
University of Wyoming	Philip Dubois	WY
Weber State University	Paul Thompson	UT
West Virginia University, Parkersburg	Erik Bitterbaum	WV
Western Washington University	Karen Morse	WA

Additionally, the following original PGL members have reaffirmed their commitment to this effort by continuing their membership:

Institution	President/Chancellor	State
Prairie View A&M University	Charles A. Hines	TX
Tennessee Wesleyan College	B. James Dawson	TN
University of Iowa	Mary Sue Coleman	IA
University of Rhode Island	Robert Carothers	RI
Vanderbilt University	Gordon Gee	TN

The Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention serves as the national resource center for institution of higher education concerned with reducing alcohol and other drug use. Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, with supplemental funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Center offers training, technical assistance, publications, and other information to assist those who want to take an active part in changing the environment in which students make decisions about alcohol and other drug use. The Higher Education Center is based at Education Development Center, Inc., an internationally known non-profit educational research and development organization in Newton, Mass.

The PLG was originally formed by the Higher Education Center in 1997 to bring national attention to alcohol and other drug prevention efforts on college and university campuses. PLG members serve as prevention spokespersons, change agents, and models for other presidents. PLG members will also further statewide and regional alcohol and other drug prevention efforts, adopting leadership roles in existing regional initiatives or taking the lead in states where statewide efforts have not yet taken hold.

For additional information on the Higher Education Center call (800) 676-1730, email HigherEdCtr@edc.org, or visit www.edc.org/hec.

San Diego State University is the oldest and largest higher education institution in the San Diego region. Since its founding in 1897, SDSU has grown to offer bachelor's degrees in 78 areas, master's degrees in 61 areas and doctorates in 14. SDSU's more than 34,000 students participate in academic curricula distinguished by direct contact with faculty and an increasing international emphasis that prepares them for a global future. For more information, visit www.sdsu.edu.

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