Purpose
The purpose of a “Day of Dialogue” is to encourage students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members on individual college and university campuses to engage in a day-long (or a significant portion thereof) productive discussion of alcohol-related problems and possible solutions. It is a structured and facilitated discussion that is planned by and includes representatives of each of the key stakeholders, and serves as a basis for collaborative, campus-based action planning. Though initially developed for application in fraternity/sorority life, the process and principles are universal.

Concept
The “Day of Dialogue” is, at its heart, a simple concept. To engage in a “Day of Dialogue” means simply to take the time to get the right group of people into the right set of circumstances to allow meaningful discussion about a topic of common concern. Because attitudes, traditions, policies, environments, circumstances, and people will vary from campus to campus, each ‘Day of Dialogue” effort will be unique.

In this case, the “right group of people” is some combination of those who share a commitment to your particular campus and to the ideals of fraternity and sorority life— chapter members and leaders, national staff, national and local alumni volunteers, faculty and staff, and other.

The “right circumstances” are those that provide a clear goal, an appropriate meeting space, a meaningful agenda, a date and time that meets participants needs, and sufficient structure to allow the discussion to progress.

A “meaningful discussion” is one where all participants have access to critical information, where an atmosphere of trust and openness leads to honest sharing of ideas and concerns, where the purpose is to accomplish a common goal, and where one of the outcomes is a commitment to a next step or a plan.

The “topic of common concern” is the prevalence of high-risk drinking on college campuses. The topic can be refined to focus on particular populations like resident students, athletes, fraternity/sorority members, etc.

Sponsor
This is a project of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Fraternity/Sorority Network. It was initiated by the Greek Summit, a group that brings together representatives of higher education and international organizations to effect the change needed to help students’ behavior better reflect the founding principles of their organizations and the missions of their educational institutions. The idea for a national “Day of Dialogue” on the issues surrounding alcohol use within the Greek community emerged from the 1999 meeting of the Summit and was endorsed by the NASPA Fraternity/Sorority Network at its March, 2000 meeting.

Co-Sponsors

• National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (Fraternity/Sorority Network)
  
• National Panhellenic Conference (NPC)
  
• National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC)
  
• North American Interfraternity Council (NIC)
  
• National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO)
  
• Association of Fraternity Advisors (AFA)
  
• The Alcohol-Free Housing Alliance
  
• The Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention (HEC)
  
• Fraternity Executives Association

To Participate
If your campus is interested in hosting a Day of Dialogue during the 2001-02 academic year, (whether during National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week or at another time), simply forward your name, title, college/university, address, phone, and email address to:

Terrence J. Hogan, Ph.D.
Dean of Students, Ohio University
202 Baker University Center
Athens, OH 45701

Planning guides, sample press releases, and promotional logo will be distributed to interested organizations in late summer 2001. There is no cost to participate. For additional information, email hogan@ohio.edu.