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Hello Area 11,
I would first like to take this opportunity to apologize for my absence at this year's Area 11 Conference that took place on the weekend of March 16th, 2007. Due to horrid weather conditions and constant delays and cancellations at the airports around the East Coast, I, along with my area coordinator thought it would be safer if I did not take the risk and simply did not attend. I am aware that there were a few schools that were also unable to make it due to the near-impossible road conditions and it is very unfortunate that many of us were not able to attend what I have been told was a small, initimate conference full of energy and enthusiasm despite the low number of attendees. I would like to take this opportunity to commend Rebecca Harrington, who made all of the arrangements for this year's Area 11 Conference in Oneonta, NY and still managed to make it a success despite all of the difficulties she may have encountered due to the snowy weather. I also would like to thank those who were in attendance at the conference for your positive attitudes and for showing your great commitment to the Bacchus Network and Area 11.
In other news, I would also like to take a moment and inform those of you who do not yet know that the National Bacchus Network has decided to endorse Sign for Safety, which is an active student-led unofficial petition campaign to urge the governors of all 50 states to proclaim May National Youth Traffic Safety Month as well as facilitate education, raise awareness, bring about proactive change in regards to youth traffic safety. I encourage all of you to please join the Facebook group and well as visit the official website and sign the petition to help us show the US Government that this is a serious concern to us as well as the Bacchus Network.
As I have stated before, I am trying very hard to establish a strong network amongst the schools and students within our area (we have the largest in the Bacchus Network) that will help us to maintain strong communication and knowledge of how the different Bacchus organizations in Area 11 contribute to their campus communities and how we can use this knowledge to help further expand the ideas of the Bacchus Network. I am open to any and all ideas as I would like to create some type of dialogue between myself and many of the students of Area 11. If you have any ideas or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact me at: area11sac@bacchusnetwork.org or you can Facebook Me.
I hope you enjoy this Spring edition of the Area 11 Newsletter that should give you a better idea of what the Bacchus Network is about and the type of benefits one can find from being a part of this program. I hope you all enjoy the remainder of your Spring semester and that you all continue to be successful in all that you strive for.
p.s. I love you all...
-Brandon Collins |
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Sign for Safety-- Help make May 'National Youth Traffic Safety Month'  The BACCHUS Network and SACs are pushing to make the month of May "National Youth Traffic Safety Month." We urge you to visit the signforsafety.org website to find out more information and sign the petition.
In the United States, more than 300,000 teens are injured in car crashes, 8,000 are involved in fatal crashes, and more than 3,500 are killed each year. Every 3 minutes a child dies and every 30 seconds a person is killed or seriously injured on the world's roads.
A proud affiliate of National Organizations for Youth Safety (NOYS), The BACCHUS Network is committed to the success of National Youth Traffic Safety Month. As peer educators have served as change agents on their campuses and in their communities, it is our belief that peer educators ability to raise awareness at the national level and within the global community is of vital importance.
Please Note: This is an excerpt from the Signforsafety.org homepage. |
Taking on 21-A former college president starts a national campaign to lower the drinking age 
Article is a selection from "The Chronicle of Higher Education" By PAULA WASLEY, Denver
John M. McCardell Jr., president emeritus of Middlebury College, is a respected Civil War scholar. His lectures on the Gettysburg Address command large audiences at alumni meetings, and his seminars on the war always attract eager undergraduates.
Recently the genteel academic threw himself into another conflict. Call it the Battle of the Binge.
Mr. McCardell believes that underage drinking is one of the most pernicious problems on college campuses. He also believes that lowering the drinking age to 18 would significantly reduce the harmful effects of alcohol consumption among students. In January he founded Choose Responsibility, a nonprofit group that seeks to start a grass-roots movement to change drinking-age laws.
He proposes giving "drinking licenses" to 18- to 20-year-olds who complete an alcohol-education program, which he compares to driver-education classes. Such a plan, he says, would allow parents and educators to become role models for responsible drinking and to educate young people about the effects of alcohol. If teenagers who violated drinking laws forfeited their eligibility for the drinking license, he says, it would create a strong incentive for them to abide by the law.
(for the rest of the featured article, click on this link) |
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Student State Representatives for Area 11! 
Applications are now being accepted for the student state representative position.
This position will play a large part in making Area 11 successful.
To get and information pack please send an e-mail to area11sac@bacchusnetwork.org! |
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Be sure to watch out for the upcoming May Edition of the Area 11 Newsletter and other Bacchus events!
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Sincerely,
Brandon Collins
Area 11 SAC
The BACCHUS Network Communication
BACCHUS Network |
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BACCHUS Network:
Student Highlight 
Name: Erika Brooks
Year: Junior
Major: Criminal Justice
School: Temple University
1. What role does the Bacchus organization you are involved in have on
your college campus?
THEO (Temple Health Empowerment Office) promotes healthier college living. We are always hosting events and programs that give students fun ways to learn about health and wellness topics such as nutrition, sexual responsibility, smoking cessation and stress.
2. What attracted you to the Bacchus Network?
At first, I became a member of the BACCHUS Network just by becoming a CPE. Later I realized that BACCHUS is a community of people just like me who are interested in helping their peers live healthier lives. It is a wonderful networking and I've made lots of friends throughout my 2 years with BACCHUS.
3. What does "Bacchus" mean to you and how will your participation in its program help your future career?
BACCHUS means safety, health, responsibility and support. After I graduate, the knowledge I've acquired from BACCHUS and all of its affiliates will help me continue to live healthy as spread the word about healthy lifestyles to everyone around me. I also hope to continue to volunteer at THEO after I graduate.
4. What do you believe is the biggest health issue today in regards to
college students? Why?
I believe the biggest health issue today with college students is alcohol and drugs. Students who are away from their parents feel that the possibilities are endless with it comes to their freedom. Many of these students wind up regretting the choices they made when they were drunk or high. I believe it is my duty to try to help these students find other healthier things they can do with their time besides drink or do drugs.
5. What improvements would you like to see within your school's Bacchus program or perhaps the Bacchus Network in general?
I think THEO has made many wonderful changes on Temple's campus. I love the BACCHUS Network and I don't think either has any problems or places to improve.
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