STUDENT WELLNESS CENTER SPONSORS TOWN HALL MEETING ON ALCOHOL

   COLUMBUS -- President William E. Kirwan will open a May 11 Ohio State University town meeting about campus alcohol issues, "Buckeyes and Booze: Is There a Problem?" The meeting, from 7 to 9 p.m. in 100 Independence Hall, is free and open to the public.

   "Our goal is to raise awareness among students about alcohol issues on our campus," said Constance Boehm, acting program director for the Student Wellness Center. "We want to be more proactive than reactive. So many schools have waited until they've had a serious incident or death before they've addressed these issues."

   Following Kirwan's opening remarks, members of the Ohio State community will participate in a public forum moderated by Michael Casto, director of Campus Collaborative. Panelists include: David Williams II, vice president for student and urban/community affairs; Keith Kilty, professor of social work; and students Michael Walker of Cleveland, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; Undergraduate Student Government President Josh Mandel of Beachwood; Sara Tobe of Fort Recovery, a resident adviser in Smith Hall; Mieke van Ulden, a senior and former women's field hockey player; and Matt Larsen, a business major.

   Jaclyn Nowakowski, a sophomore psychology major and co- organizer of the event, said she would like to "make students aware of the Alcohol Coalition that is working to promote responsible drinking behavior."

   The Get Real Alcohol Coalition, a group of 27 campus and community members, works to reduce the occurrence of alcohol and drug problems in the Columbus campus and surrounding neighborhoods. The town hall meeting is being organized by Nowakowski and Mara Leventhal, a sophomore history major.

Contact: Constance Boehm, Student Wellness Center, (614) 688-4458