Answers to Frequently Asked Questions 

What is the Building Responsibility Coalition? 

It is a campus/community partnership advocating policies for the responsible and legal use of alcohol in order to promote a healthy environment for students, residents, and businesses by reducing the harm to people and property caused by high-risk drinking. 

How is the project funded? 

The University of Delaware and the community of Newark have received two successive grants from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to address high-risk drinking among college students. The University of Delaware has provided all of the matching funds required by these grants. 

How does the Building Responsibility Coalition perceive the role of alcohol in the community? 

There is a legitimate place for alcohol to be used responsibly and legally in our society. At the same time, many of the problems that are experienced both on the campus and in the community are related to the bad behavior exhibited by those who drink to excess. Because of these negative consequences, it is no longer possible to view high-risk drinking as solely the problem of the person who is doing the high-risk drinking. 

Who are the members of the Building Responsibility Coalition? 

Over 130 individuals representing a wide range constituencies-residents of Newark, students, faculty, and staff of the University of Delaware; elected officials, city and state employees, business owners and alcohol licensees, clergy, school nurses, public safety personnel, civic association leaders and many others-participate in the project. 

How is the Building Responsibility Coalition organized? 

A Coordinating Council is responsible for establishing the broad objectives for the Building Responsibility Coalition. Currently, the Coordinating Council consists of six representatives from the University of Delaware campus and 15 representatives of other segments of the larger community. Task groups meet regularly to address specific issues related to alcohol. A full-time program coordinator, a half-time communications coordinator, and a half-time graduate assistant are employed to direct the day-to-day activities of the Coalition. 

What is the "environmental model" which forms the foundation for the activities of the Building Responsibility Coalition? 

This effort identifies high-risk drinking as a public-health issue that is influenced by factors such as social and cultural beliefs, behavioral norms and attitudes, governmental and institutional policies, as well as advertising and marketing practices.