Joint Campus and Community Effort to Combat Alcohol Abuse Showcased

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - Central Washington University and the City of Ellensburg received national visibility for its "town-gown" relationship at the 88th national conference of the National Association of Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA) last month in Washington, D.C.

The conference included the workshop "Bringing Campus and Community Together to Combat Underage and High-risk Drinking," led by Central Washington University President Jerilyn S. McIntyre, Ellensburg police Sgt. Scott Willis and Lynne Harrison Imamshah, coordinator of the Campus-Community Coalition (CCC).

The workshop centered on how the university and community have collaborated to create a coalition to reduce underage and high-risk drinking, and developed a comprehensive program of environmental management strategies to change the culture of alcohol use.

"By focusing on 'environmental management' we, and other universities nationally, are addressing the societal conditions and aspects of community environment that contribute to alcohol abuse in all age groups," McIntyre says.

Under the theme of "Individual Commitment ... Collective Action," the conference drew more than 5,400 attendees from around the country. NASPA is the largest professional association for student affairs administrators, faculty and graduate students.

"Telling our story at national meetings gives us even greater credibility in our own community and will help us make a difference," Imamshah adds.

Contact: Lynne Harrison Imamshah (509-963-3240/fax 509-963-1813/e-mail: lynnei@cwu.edu)

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