• Concept
• Background
• Co-Sponsoring Organizations
• Request a Planning Guide
• Sample Press Release
• Steering Committee
• Participating Campuses
• Sample Activities
• Program Evaluation

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Day of DialogUe

Concept

The "Day of Dialogue" is, at its heart, a simple concept. To engage in a "Day of Dialogue" means simply to take the time to get the right group of people into the right set of circumstances to allow meaningful discussion about a topic of common concern.

• In this case the "right group of people" is some combination of those who share a commitment to your particular campus and to the ideals of fraternity and sorority life - chapter members and leaders, national staff, national and local alumni volunteers, faculty and staff, and other.
• The "right circumstances" are those that provide a clear goal, an appropriate meeting space, a meaningful agenda, a date and time that meets participants needs, and sufficient structure to allow the discussion to progress.
• A "meaningful discussion" is one where all participants have access to critical information, where an atmosphere of trust and openness leads to honest sharing of ideas and concerns, where the purpose is to accomplish a common goal, and where one of the outcomes is a commitment to a next step or a plan.
• The "topic of common concern" is the prevalence of high-risk drinking on college campuses and, particularly, among fraternity and sorority members.
   

Background

Rationale

• Collaboration between the various parties is critical to the success of any campus-based change effort.
• The experiences of campuses that have already had such discussions can be shared and used by institutions that have yet to take the step.
• The designation of a national “Day of Dialogue” can serve to spur the initiation of discussions that might otherwise not begin.

Initiation and Sponsorship

This project was initiated by the Greek Summit, an annual gathering sponsored by NASPA's Fraternity/Sorority Affairs Knowledge Community. The Greek Summit brings together representatives of higher education and inter/national organizations to effect the change needed to help students' behavior better reflect the founding principles of their organizations and the missions of their educational institutions. The idea for a national "Day of Dialogue" on the issues surrounding alcohol use within the Greek community emerged from the 1999 meeting of the Summit and was adopted by NASPA's Fraternity/Sorority Knowledge Community at its March, 2000 meeting.

National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week

The Inter-Association Task Force on Alcohol and Other Substance Abuse Issues is a coalition of vital organizations who collaborate on issues relating to substance abuse prevention efforts within the higher education community. The Task Force sponsors National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week (NCAAW) and has listed the “Day of Dialogue” in its resource guide for NCAAW campus planning. Though initially developed for application in the fraternity and sorority community, the principles and tools of the “Day of Dialogue” can be applied practically in a campus-wide effort.

Co-Sponsoring Organizations

"Day of Dialogue" is presented in part through the generous financial support of the North American Interfraternal Foundation (NIF).

Each of the following national organizations has endorsed the "Day of Dialogue" program:

• The Inter-Association Task Force on Alcohol and Other Substance Abuse Issues
• National Panhellenic Conference (NPC)
• National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC)
• North-American Interfraternity Council (NIC)
• National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO)
• Association of Fraternity Advisors (AFA)
• The Alcohol-Free Housing Alliance
• The Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention (HEC)
• Fraternity Executives Association
   

Request a Planning Guide

To request a copy of the Day of Dialogue Planning Guide, contact:

Day of Dialogue Coordinator

Geof Brown, Vice President of Alcohol Education

North-American Interfraternity Conference

Tel: 317 872-1134 x 211

email: geof@nicindy.org 

Sample Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

-Your Name-
-Your Phone Number-
-Your E-mail Address-

-NAME OF UNIVERSITY- TAKES ON ALCOHOL ABUSE IN “DAY OF DIALOGUE”

-City, state of release-, -date- -Recognizing the significant damage high risk drinking is causing students, the University/College, and the community, -name of university- is calling for a “Day of Dialogue.”

The goal of the “Day of Dialogue” is to confront the difficult issues caused by alcohol, other drug and violence and to develop programs of action to reduce the problems. During the program, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members will engage in extensive, planned discussions of alcohol-related problems and possible solutions. The discussions will serve as the basis for collaborative, campus-based action planning.

The “Day of Dialogue” program at -name of university- will be held on -date- at -location and time-. The event will feature -details: key speakers, members of discussion panel, etc.-

“Changing a campus culture as it relates to high-risk drinking is a serious undertaking," says Dr. Penny Rue, Chair, National Association of Student Personnel Administrators’ (NASPA) Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Knowledge Community and Dean of Students at University of Virginia. "We’re suggesting that an intensive dialogue involving all of the key stakeholders is critical to beginning or advancing the change process.”

The “Day of Dialogue” program was initiated in 1999 by the Greek Summit, an annual gathering of representatives of higher education and inter/national organizations sponsored by NASPA’s Fraternity/Sorority Affairs Knowledge Community. For more information on the national program, please contact Day of Dialogue Coordinator Geof Brown, Vice President of Alcohol Education, North-American Interfraternity Conference, at 317 872-1134 x 211 or email at geof@nicindy.org

###

Steering Committee

The Steering Committee that developed "Day of Dialogue:"

• Lissa Bradford, NPC/NIC Alcohol-Free Housing Task Force (Co-chair)
• Terry Hogan, Dean of Students, Ohio University (Co-chair)
• Cari Cook, Executive Director, Delta Delta Delta
• Sue Kraft Fussell, Executive Director, Association of Fraternity Advisors
• Chris Heasley, Consultant, Phi Gamma Delta
• Jaime Hockensmith, Panhellenic VP for Risk Management, Indiana University
• Michael Johnson, Director of Alcohol Education, Phi Gamma Delta
• Erika London, President, Pennsylvania State University Panhellenic Council
• Bob Maust, University of Colorado
• Monica Miranda, Vice Chair, National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations
• Jon Williamson, Executive Vice President, North-American Interfraternity Conference
• Ann Wilson, Program Advisor, Ohio University
   

Participating Campuses

Staff at these campuses have indicated that they have produced an a "Day of Dialogue" activity on their campus:

Sample Activities

Bowling Green State University

• Program: Panel followed by Dialogue
• Highlight: Used topic of community relations to lead into discussions of alcohol; used multiple media (faculty/staff newsletter, two local newspapers, University Web site) to preview and report on “Day of Dialogue”

Eastern Michigan University

• Program: Three events over the course of the day, A variety of sessions in which participants could individually choose topics of interest, Mocktail social hour, Presentation by the Campus Close-Up Theatre Troupe
• Highlight: Used a variety of approaches and included students, staff, and members of the community to engage in meaningful dialogue

Oklahoma State University

• Program: Three events over the course of a day, welcome and discussion with chief student affairs officer, Peer-facilitated student-only discussion, Panel with University and community representatives
• Highlight: Rich dialogue led to identification of important “local” issues and solutions

Southern Methodist University

• Program: Four events over the course of a day, Three debates on alcohol topics by the Debate Team, DW Eyes – game of altered perception using “goggles”, Surveyed and reported on student drinking behaviors to correct misperceptions, Town Hall Meeting
• Highlight: Used daytime fun promotional activities to encourage participation in Town Hall Meeting

University of Delaware

• Program: Three events over the course of a day, Brown bag lunch and panel with outside members, Discussion on risk management with chapter leaders, Keynote speaker on risk management issues
• Highlight: Used the event to successfully advance the adoption of a third party vendor resolution by the Panhellenic Association

University of Missouri-Columbia

• Program: Two events, Brown bag lunch with discussion facilitated by the chief student affairs officer regarding the new campus alcohol policy, Legal issues panel; panelists included members of city and campus police, the liquor control board, and a local judge
• Highlight: Partnered with the Wellness Resource Center to add “Day of Dialogue” to the events of Alcohol Responsibility Month and students were given participation points for attending

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

• Program: Eight hour-long series of six events, Welcome by institutional leader, Panel including report on survey results, Breakout discussions facilitated by alumni, Dinner with speaker, Second breakout sessions for action planning, Inspirational keynote for closing
• Highlight: Mixed multiple approaches and gained broad stakeholder involvement

Texas A&M University

• Program: Three-part event during one evening, Opening speaker, Panel presentation with Q&A, Small group discussion
• Highlight: Developed and distributed a newsletter to participants to continue information sharing

Vanderbilt University

• Program: Four events over the course of the day, Alcohol trivia and prizes activity, “True Story” testimonial presented by a peer from another institution, Panel on alcohol policy, Interactive activity/discussion on relationships and alcohol
• Highlight: Used topic of personal male/female relationships to lead discussions on alcohol

West Texas A&M University

• Program: Panel of students with varied backgrounds moderated by an on-campus professor. The professor used the topic of racial identity to get at issues of alcohol.
• Highlight: Excellent conversations about the divisions perceived to exist on campus
   

Program Evaluation

In order to continue to build this project, we need your evaluation of the event you developed for your campus. The information you share will be provided to future participants so they can benefit from your experience. Use and attach additional pages if necessary. Thank you for your participation.

Please provide the following information:

1. Name of school:

2. Date(s) of your event:

3. Number of participants who were expected to attend:

4. Number of participants who actually attended:

5. Please describe the format of your event (or attach an agenda):

6. Please describe the strength and weaknesses of your event from the perspective of event planners (including yourself):

7. Please describe the strength and weaknesses of your event from the perspective of participants (if available):

8. Please attach any promotional materials, news clippings, summary reports, agendas, or other materials related to the event.

Please send all evaluative materials to the project coordinator. Contact information is located at the bottom of the front page of the Day of Dialogue website.