NDSU Athletic Director Matt Larsen has been named co-chair of the President’s Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs. He will lead the council with Laura Oster-Aaland, dean of enrollment management.
The council was formed eight years ago to address an issue that affects campuses nationwide: high-risk alcohol and drug use that has negative consequences for students, the campus and community. NDSU’s council focuses on reducing harmful consequences and has seen significant progress in decreasing the number of negative effects students report and increasing awareness of prevention programs.
As co-chairs, Larsen and Oster-Aaland guide the work of the council, which includes students, faculty and staff representing units across the campus. The group’s work ranges from providing late-night campus activities for students to conducting research on alcohol and other drug issues.
“Matt has a strong commitment to this issue and a strong desire to contribute to the campus beyond his responsibilities in the athletics department,” said Oster-Aaland, who helped establish the council. “His role as co-chair will help maintain the momentum that this group has gained and help advance our work.”
Council initiatives that have contributed to better outcomes include:
- A personalized, online tool for first-year students. It helps students identify alcohol use behaviors that could cause health, academic, legal or other problems. Completion rates exceed 90 percent.
- A student designed and driven media campaign to increase awareness about ways to reduce alcohol-related harm.
- Permanent late-night programming and late-night access to campus facilities, such as the Wellness Center, to give students alternatives.
“I look forward to working with the council and being part of its great work on education, prevention and outreach,” Larsen said. “This group has made significant strides in helping to reduce the negative outcomes related to alcohol and other drug use as well as providing alternative activities for students at NDSU. This is an important issue, so I am excited to work with Laura in leading the council and building upon an already strong foundation.”
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