National Summit Brings Together Leaders to Address Campus Drinking, Drugs and Sexual Violence

Twenty years after Clery Act, higher ed thought leaders create blueprint for future

BETHLEHEM, Pa., Sept. 26, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Twenty years after the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act took effect, the nation's most prominent thought leaders on campus safety will come together to discuss the critical issues - binge drinking, sexual violence and general safety and security - facing colleges and universities.

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The event "Proceeding in Partnership: The Future of Campus Safety" will take place at Lehigh University on September 29th from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.  For more information, please go to the event web site (http://su.pr/2zpxTE).  

Two of the summit's panel discussions focus on alcohol/drugs and sexual violence.  The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism College Task Force estimates that drinking by college students aged 18 to 24 contributes to 1,825 student deaths, 599,000 injuries, and 97,000 cases of sexual assault or date rape each year.

The event is co-sponsored by Security on Campus (SOC) and Lehigh University.  SOC was founded by Connie and Howard Clery when their daughter, Jeanne, was killed at Lehigh in 1986. Jeanne's death spurred the Clery Act, legislation that now requires campuses to publicly share data on college crimes.

SOC reaches thousands of college students each year with its education programs. "Jeanne loved life, and loved people," said Connie Clery.  "Nothing would please her more than to know her legacy has been making students safer so they can live and enjoy life."

John Smeaton, vice provost of Student Affairs at Lehigh, adds that "this is an opportunity to acknowledge the excellent work of the Clery family and SOC."

"It is critical that we not only discuss issues, but find a common goal in moving forward on them and then share best practices with others," Smeaton said.

SOC organizers will compile best practices identified at the summit for distribution in January 2012.

Related links:

www.securityoncampus.org/

www.lehigh.edu

SOURCE Lehigh University