September 10, 2007
Read the report from the College's Committee on Campus Culture, Conduct, and Civility:  Addressing the Abuse of Alcohol on Campus: Final Report, Recommendations, and Tentative Timeline for Implementation  (PDF)

Dear Members of the Providence College Community:

Welcome back to campus. I hope that you are as excited as I am about what the completion of the Concannon Fitness Center means for the well-being of our community. I am pleased to report that over 1800 students visited the Fitness Center on the first day of its opening. This is a strong indicator of their desire to lead healthier lives. 

At the same time that we acknowledge this sign of grace, we must also acknowledge that there continue to be signs that we have much more work to do in order to make the campus healthier. Over the first weekend that our students returned, three were transported to Rhode Island Hospital for severe alcohol intoxication. The Office of Residence Life documented some thirty-four alcohol-related incidents, including underage drinking, public intoxication, open containers, and drinking games. While we cannot completely document off-campus alcohol abuse, there is early anecdotal evidence to suggest that it remains a serious problem. 

Last year the Committee on Campus Culture, Conduct, and Civility issued a report on alcohol abuse and made recommendations on how to remedy the problem. After numerous meetings at which campus community members were invited to give their feedback, the committee has issued a revised report detailing the action steps that we will take in order to create a campus culture that discourages the abuse of alcohol. This report has been endorsed by the Cabinet. Some of these recommendations are already being implemented, while others will be phased in over time. A copy of the revised report, with its proposed recommendations and timeline for action steps, can be accessed  here.  I encourage everyone to read the report, and I trust that everyone will support the steps that we are taking to create a healthier campus culture.

I want to thank the Committee on Campus Culture, Conduct, and Civility for all its hard work; its members have performed an invaluable service to the Providence College community. 

With the opening of the Concannon Fitness Center and the issuance of this report, we are at a propitious moment. By speaking honestly about difficult issues, working together as a community, and trusting in God’s grace, we can make the campus of Providence College a place where our students grow intellectually, morally, spiritually, and physically into the image and likeness of God.   

Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P.