Alcohol Task Force

The University of Northern Iowa has established an alcohol task force to reduce high-risk drinking and the associated negative consequences. This is in light of national research that shows excessive alcohol use by students leads to consequences such as crime, injury, academic failure, academic underperformance, poor health, addiction and damage to reputation.

The task force will examine current research and state-of-the-art assessment, prevention and response techniques on college campuses; assess prevention measures at UNI and across the nation; review related policies and practices at UNI; review relevant reports, research and data at UNI; and identify and review all appropriate resources and activities devoted to or undertaken to prevent, intervene or respond to inappropriate alcohol use at UNI.

After gathering background information, the group will identify and assess the particular needs of UNI and, by February 2009, make recommendations to meet those needs. Task force members also will recommend a long-term plan to address the identified problems that also monitors key performance indicators.

Members of the task force are:

• Julie Barnes, Substance Abuse/Victim Services Coordinator/Wellness and Recreation Services
• Don Bishop, Head of Athletic Training
• Michael Blackwell, Director of Multicultural Education
• Jon Buse, Dean of Students
• Adam Butler, Professor/Psychology
• Bill Callahan, Dean of the College of Education
• Steve Carignan, Assistant Vice President for Education and Sports Event Center Management
• Francis Degnin, Assistant Professor/Philosophy and Religion
• Ambrosia Dixon, Student *Co-chair
• Bill Downs, Professor/Social Work
• Carol Fletcher, Interim Director of Dining Services/Department of Residence
• Anita Gordon, Director of Research Services, Office of Sponsored Programs
• Adam Haselhuhn, Student, NISG President
• Holly Johnson, Assistant Director of Alumni Relations/Membership and Operations
• Samantha Keltner, Student
• Lisa Kratz, Director of Maucker Union
• Drake Martin, Assistant Director of Residence Education/Department of Residence
• Carmen Meeks, Graduate Student
• Jim O'Connor, Interim Assistant Vice President/University Marketing and Public Relations
• Alex Raiche, Student
• Susan Riesselman, Student
• Mark Rowe, Violence Prevention Education Coordinator/Wellness and Recreation Services
• Jessie Stinson, Program Coordinator for Greek Life/Maucker Union
• Dave Towle, Director of Counseling
• Katherine Van Wormer, Professor/Social Work *Co-chair
• David Zarifis, Director of Public Safety