In keeping with its philosophy to educate the whole student-athlete, the Division III Presidents Council and Management Council approved funding of a pilot project to test a promising approach to reducing alcohol abuse.

The STARR project -- Student-Athletes Taking Active Responsible Roles -- will be conducted on eight selected Division III campuses starting in September 2001 and running through May 2003. The project, customized for each institution, will involve the use of Web-based technology, print media and student-athlete peer education to bring a positive message regarding campus identity and student-athlete behaviors.

The foundation approach for the STARR project is a theory known as social norming, which promotes the positive majority behaviors as a means to correct misperceptions and decrease negative behaviors. This strategy has demonstrated measurable reductions in high-risk drinking behaviors on campuses across the nation, with support from the U.S. Department of Education's Safe and Drug-Free School grants program.

The following institutions have been selected to participate in the pilot project: Baldwin-Wallace College, Carroll College (Wisconsin), State University College at Cortland, Eastern Connecticut State University, Goucher College, Linfield College, Rockford College and Wesleyan University (Connecticut).

Consultants from Hobart and William Smith Colleges will assist in all stages of the project. The consultants will provide other services, such as an individualized campus assessment, development and dissemination of prevention messages, campus site visits to install a Web-based program and train campus personnel, ongoing technical and prevention consultation and an evaluation of the impact of the project.

For more information, contact Mary Wilfert, NCAA program coordinator for health and safety, at 317/917-6319.