TRUST Coalition > Meeting Minutes > October 9, 2003

Toward Responsible Use of Substances Today (TRUST) Coalition Minutes
October 9, 2003 at 2:30 p.m., Meadowlark Room

Members present: Lin Brummels, Counseling Center; Amber Johnson, SAAC; Kathy Mohlfeld, Counseling Center; Jason Mrsny, Security; Jon Pitts, SAAC; Jodi Rhodig, SAAC; Lindsay Scranton, student; Joe Wall, SAAC; Lance Webster, Wayne Police Department; Keith Willis, Counseling Department.

The Fatal Vision Goggles demonstration will be at the October 18th football game vs. Waldorf. SADD will be setting up the shoe display and allowing spectators to try out the goggles and walking a line. The SAAC will be doing the obstacle course. Scott Gannon will announce the event.

Norfolk Daily News report on UN-L binge drinking and NU Directions was distributed and discussed.

TRUST Coalition information flyer was discussed. We will add “Wayne State College” on both sides of the flyer.

We discussed the Institute of Medicine (IOM) National Research Council report, “Reducing Underage Drinking: A Collective Responsibility”. It noted that colleges and communities have reciprocal influences on one another in relation to student alcohol use and complementary strategies should be used. One of its’ recommendations for community interventions (page 10) to reduce underage drinking, included: assessing the underage drinking problem (as done in the Core alcohol and drug survey), setting up a coalition (like the TRUST Coalition); and utilizing mass media. It was noted that the release of this report was delayed until September 10th (a day prior to the anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the east coast) by those who profit from underage drinking in order to downplay the significance of the information. A proposed press release about this report and National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week and our activities was also discussed. http://www.nap.edu/catalog/10729.html.

The activities of the TRUST Coalition are being included in the WSC Academic Quality Improvement Project (AQIP)/accreditation process.

Updates from Workgroups/Committees

• Education & Information Report:
  • The survey done last spring of WSC student social norms revealed that 51 % of WSC students surveyed limit their drinking to four or less beverages when they go out. That number is generally thought to be the cut-off line for responsible drinking in a 4 hour time period. This and other result will be put in a brochure and website for distribution to students.
    
    
• Neighborhood Relations Report: Next meeting: Wed., 10-15-03 at 2:30 p.m. in the Counseling Center group room; Student Center 103
  • All of the door tags have been distributed. The press release that was published in the to Wayne Herald was distributed and it was noted that participants were thanked in “The Stater.”
  • Sister Cynthia Hruby has contacted NU Directions about getting a speaker regarding the topic of responsible hospitality
    
    
• Policy & Enforcement Report:
  • · Safe Ride Program: The committee met and worked on the draft again. Jake Peterson, Student Senate President, and Jeff Carstens, Interim Dean of Students, are also involved in the committee. Larry Schulz, attorney for WSC, has also been contacted about the Safe Ride Program. Bus Bank and First Class Security have been contacted about the service. It is estimated that $10-11,000 will be needed for the project. It is hoped that funding for the program can come from student fees and WSC administration. It was suggested that Wayne businesses be approached about helping to fund the program once it has been started.
  • The Stater article on the Safe Ride program was distributed.
    
    
• Social Environment Report: Next time to meet: ____________
  • This group has met twice this fall and flyers are being distributed twice a month. An example was distributed.

Next Meeting: Wednesday, November 5, 2003 in the Meadowlark Room

Please contact Kathy Mohlfeld at the Counseling Center at 375-7321 if you have any suggestions or concerns for the TRUST Coalition.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.”
Margaret Mead

_________________________
Ron Vick, MA, LPC
Counselor / Academic Advisor
Int'l Student Advisor