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Department of Community Health Announces Campus Mentoring Grants

February 7, 2001

Michigan Department of Community Health Director, James K. Haveman, Jr., today announced $373,000 in funding for comprehensive mentoring programs at Universities statewide to emphasize an alcohol and drug-free approach to campus life. The mentoring program includes alcohol and drug-free activities for freshman students.

"These grants mark the third year we have funded these mentoring programs," said Haveman. "We are pleased to sponsor these important programs to assist incoming freshmen make the transition from high school to college without using alcohol."

** Central Michigan University will receive $32,000
** Eastern Michigan University will receive $36,000
** Ferris State University will receive $39,000
** Grand Valley State University will receive $43,000
** Lake Superior State University will receive $20,000
** Michigan State University will receive $39,000
** Michigan Technological University will receive $18,000
** Northern Michigan University will receive $14,000
** Oakland University will receive $21,000
** Saginaw Valley State University will receive $32,000
** University of Michigan, Ann Arbor campus, will receive $39,000
** University of Michigan, Flint campus, will receive $10,000
** Western Michigan University will received $30,000

The mentoring program links incoming freshmen who volunteer to participate with upper class mentors who have been trained to help the freshmen adjust to college life without the use of alcohol. Many students who were mentored in their freshman year have now opted to become mentors to incoming freshman students. Last year, more than 3,000 freshmen students statewide participated in the program and over 500 upperclassmen served as mentors.

This year, the Department will offer a Best Practices Conference and Training Session for mentors in March 2001 to allow mentors from various campuses to get to know one another and exchange best practices to improve programs. The mentoring program also includes outreach to parents of all incoming freshman of participating universities with the mailing of a brochure, "A Few Words to Parents About Alcohol and College."

"It is impressive that all of the Universities with residential campuses applied for and will receive grants," said former State Representative Jim McBryde, Special Assistant for Drug Policy at the Department of Community Health. "We are also pleased that the University of Michigan--Flint Campus, which is not a residential campus, has received funding in order to challenge students to go alcohol-free and provide alternative activities for freshmen students."