CWU To Host Student Safety Conference

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - How are colleges and universities determining the number of campus sexual violence incidents? What types of substance abuse and sexual violence prevention programs have been implemented on campuses nationwide? And, is there a comprehensive approach that holds promise of effectiveness?

Those will be among the questions answered during a daylong conference, titled "College Substance Abuse and Sexual Violence Prevention -- Developing a Common Framework," Monday, March 20, at Central Washington University.

Sponsored by two Washington state coalitions: the Sexual Violence Prevention and Safety Promotion College Coalition and College Coalition for Substance Abuse Prevention (CCSAP), it will include separate coalition meetings and joint sessions with featured guest, Dr. Linda Langford.

"Dr. Langford will discuss a framework for comprehensive approaches to college substance abuse and sexual violence prevention," says Gail Farmer, CCSAP chair. "It will include recommendations on best practice principles and a strategic planning and evaluation process.

Langford will also lead discussions on the relationship between substance use and sexual violence, and how campuses are effectively addressing these issues, according to Farmer, who also serves as the CWU Wildcat Wellness Center director.

Langford has served as an associate director at the Center for College Health and Safety since 1998 and now directs the center's violence prevention initiatives. She holds a doctorate in behavioral sciences from the Harvard School of Public Health and is a clinical professor at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston.

Formerly known as the Washington State Substance Abuse College Task Force, CCSAP provides support, professional development and technical assistance for developing and continuing substance abuse prevention efforts on university campuses across Washington.

Student affairs professionals from more than a dozen colleges and universities across the state have registered for this program, according to Farmer.

For more information about the conference, or for persons of disability to arrange for reasonable accommodation, call (509) 963-3214 or (for the hearing impaired) TDD (509) 963-2143.

Contact: Gail Farmer (509-963-3214/fax 509-963-1813/e-mail: farmer@cwu.edu)

Public Relations and Marketing: (509) 963-1493