Thank you to all who have signed the petition calling for an increased student voice and a continuation of in-hall dances. The approximately 4,000 signatures we received in just three days shows the importance of these issues to students and the necessity of involving everyone in both identifying the problem and creating solutions.

We are also encouraged by the recently released report co-chaired by University President Father Edward Malloy entitled "A Call to Action: Changing the Culture of Drinking at U.S. Colleges." We believe this report provides an important framework for establishing student participation in the creation of programs to address alcohol abuse. As the report notes, "student participation not only improved a school's policy, but also increased campus-wide `ownership' of the prevention efforts emanating from it." One important recommendation to achieve this level of participation is through direct student-led "reviews of proposed policies before they are finalized." It is this level of active student involvement that we are calling for in this petition.

The strong support we have received demonstrates the power of a unified student voice. We are committed to ensuring this voice is heard.

Libby Bishop

student body president

Trip Foley

student body vice president

April 15, 2002

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