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Sense of the Congress-"Biden Resolution"

"The institution should provide maximum opportunities for students to live in an alcohol-free environment and to engage in stimulating, alcohol-free recreational and leisure activities."

U.S. Senate passes Biden measures                                                                                 See full report

7/31/98  Newark Post

The U.S. Senate passed the binge drinking resolution sponsored by Senator Biden.  This resolution calls every college and university president to carry out six specific activities to reduce consumption on college campuses.  These activities include appointing a task force to establish a policy on reducing alcohol and other drug related problems, providing students an opportunity to live in an alcohol-free environment, and the enforcement of a zero tolerance policy on the consumption of alcohol by minors.  Biden noted “These activities are very similar to what is currently happening at the University of Delaware under the leadership of President David Roselle.”

The resolution as included in the statute:

‘‘(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that,

in an effort to change the culture of alcohol consumption on college

campuses, all institutions of higher education should carry out

the following:

‘‘(1) The president of the institution should appoint a task

force consisting of school administrators, faculty, students,

Greek system representatives, and others to conduct a full

examination of student and academic life at the institution.

The task force should make recommendations for a broad range

of policy and program changes that would serve to reduce

alcohol and other drug-related problems. The institution should

provide resources to assist the task force in promoting the

campus policies and proposed environmental changes that have

been identified.

‘‘(2) The institution should provide maximum opportunities

for students to live in an alcohol-free environment and to engage

in stimulating, alcohol-free recreational and leisure activities.

‘‘(3) The institution should enforce a ‘zero tolerance’ policy

on the illegal consumption of alcohol by students at the institution.

‘‘(4) The institution should vigorously enforce the institution’s

code of disciplinary sanctions for those who violate campus

alcohol policies. Students with alcohol or other drug-related

problems should be referred for assistance, including on-campus

counseling programs if appropriate.

‘‘(5) The institution should adopt a policy to discourage

alcoholic beverage-related sponsorship of on-campus activities.

It should adopt policies limiting the advertisement and promotion

of alcoholic beverages on campus.

‘‘(6) The institution should work with the local community,

including local businesses, in a ‘Town/Gown’ alliance to encourage

responsible policies toward alcohol consumption and to

address illegal alcohol use by students.

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In loving Memory of Kristine Guest