NCAAW has grown to become the largest single event in all of academia because students take the ownership in designing and implementing this observance for their campus communities. This week gives campuses the opportunity to showcase healthy lifestyles free from the abuse or illegal use of alcohol and to combat negative stereotypes of college drinking behavior.

It is important to recognize that most students choose not to drink irresponsibly, and those who drink to excess put themselves at high-risk for negative consequences. This campaign empowers students to practice smart, planned-in-advance, decision-making about social situations involving alcohol. Using a theme inspired by the self-determination and empowerment of this generation of college students, this NCAAW Campaign encourages students to make choices to stay safe in social situations where alcohol may be present.

"NCAAW remains a cornerstone in campus alcohol abuse prevention efforts," said Dr. Edward Hammond, NCAAW's Chairman and President of Fort Hays State University in Kansas. "Ultimately, campuses need to educate students about excessive drinking and consequences that can occur on both a personal and academic level. All college and university offices need to empower students to take responsibility for their own decisions and the campus environment when it comes to alcohol. Participation in NCAAW helps students and college administrators work together to increase awareness and strengthen year-round prevention efforts. We have to engage and empower students to take care of themselves and each other."

Inter-Association Task Force on Alcohol and Other Substance Abuse Issues Celebrates 25 Years
Remains the leading voice for higher education on critical student success issue

The Inter-Association Task Force on Alcohol and Other Substance Abuse Issues, higher education’s longest running coalition addressing substance abuse, celebrated its 25th anniversary by reaffirming its mission as the leading, independent voice on this critical student success issue.

Recognizing the importance of continuing to stay vigilant on alcohol and other substance abuse issues, representatives from nearly 20 different higher education associations participated in its biannual meeting to address the current state of the field. The meeting took place February 6, 2009, at The American Council on Education headquarters in Washington DC.

The Task Force first met in 1983 to provide leadership for campuses to address the many changes associated with the then national move toward the 21-year-old drinking age. Since then, the Task Force has met twice a year to help develop initiatives and unify the higher education community response to these issues. Highlights of its work include:

• Created and disseminated model campus alcohol policies for adoption on every college campus in the United States.
• Developed the first guidelines targeting alcohol advertising and marketing on college campuses.
• Developed National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week annually for the last 25 years. This is higher education’s largest event to address alcohol abuse, recognized and supported with programming by more than 1,000 campuses annually.
• Hosted two national Symposiums on high risk drinking on college campuses and published proceedings for the higher education community.
• Supported a national awards program recognizing campuses for outstanding, comprehensive programming to address the alcohol issue.
• Supported efforts initiated in the 1990’s by the U.S. Department of Education to address this issue through campus grants under the FIPSE program throughout the 1990’s through today and the creation of the Higher Education Center on Alcohol and Other Drug Issues.
• Supported better training and education opportunities on alcohol and other substance abuse issues for campus based professionals working with students.
• Assists in the promotion of research-based, effective strategies to address alcohol and other substance abuse issues.

As part of this effort the groups listed below join each others in celebrating its history and endorsing the important efforts of this group to help campuses better address alcohol and other substance abuse issues in higher education.

Task Force Member Associations

• American Association of State Colleges and Universities
• American Council on Education
• American College Health Association
• American College Personnel Association
• Association of College and University Housing Officers – International
• Association of Fraternity Advisors
• The BACCHUS Network
• Fraternity Executives Association
• Golden Key International Honour Society
• International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators
• National Association for Campus Activities
• National Association of Student Personnel Administrators
• National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges
• National Athletic Trainers Association
• National Collegiate Athletic Association
• National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association
• North-American Interfraternity Conference
• National Panhellenic Conference
• Order of Omega

Associate Members

• The National Social Norms Institute
• The Network