For Discussion: The Situation at Rider University

Dear Colleagues -

Back in the office on Monday after two weeks of work and family travel
left me with lots of e-mail to catch up with.

I spent a good bit of time reading through the articles related to the
tragic incident at Rider University and even went back to read the
original news stories.

I am struck by the tone of some of the articles - indicating that we in
higher education might need a sort of wake up call and that the
indictment of professional colleagues will send a "much needed" message
to our community.

What are your thoughts about the media attention resulting from the
Rider situation?

Though we in prevention know the risks and understand that a
comprehensive, evidence based approach that focuses on individuals and
the environment is critical, is this message and approach permeating the
boundaries of our positions and offices?

Are resources being better allocated at more campuses so that we can do
our work effectively?

Do more of our colleagues understand how to implement the ecological
models that so clearly show evidence of success?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beth DeRicco, Ph.D.
Associate Center Director
The Center for College Health and Safety
http://www2.edc.org/cchs/
Associate Center Director
The U.S. Department of Education's Higher Education Center for Alcohol,
Other Drug Abuse and Violence Prevention
http://higheredcenter.org/
Phone: 800-676-1730, ext. 2602
FAX: 617-928-1537
Received on 08/08/07