President Michael R. Lovell this semester commissioned a new President’s Task Force on the Impact of Alcohol and Other Drugs on the Marquette University Community, a cross-campus group of faculty, students and staff who will develop recommendations on how to institutionalize alcohol and other drug prevention, intervention and recovery services at the university, and establish it as a local, national and global leader in student well-being.
The task force’s stated goal reads: “We aim to create an environment at Marquette that supports the decision to not drink, as we feel it is in the best interest of our community and closely aligned with our mission. Alcohol prevention should be framed as an academic success issue. When Marquette addresses the misuse of alcohol in our community, our academic profile will rise, we will recruit a more diverse and higher achieving student, and our campus environment will be more welcoming and inclusive of students of color and other marginalized identities.”
Dr. Xavier Cole, vice president for student affairs, and Sara Smith, director of alcohol and other drug prevention and education programs, are co-chairing the group’s steering committee, which comprises the following:
- Kate Braasch, chief presidential liaison, external engagement
- Susan Cushman, campus alcohol and other drug coordinator, UW – Milwaukee
- Dan Hanahran, Marmon Holdings Inc.
- Erin Lazzar, associate dean of students, Division of Student Affairs
- Brenda Lenz, associate director, Counseling Center
- Kimberely Timpf, senior director, impact and education, Everfi
Completing the task force’s structure are four subcommittees: policy and enforcement; communications and messaging; prevention, intervention and recovery; and institutionalization.
Each subcommittee is tasked with conducting research to create a SWOT analysis and ultimately make a set of best practice recommendations to the steering committee who will make final recommendations to President Lovell by the end of the calendar year.
Watch Marquette Today for updates.