The College has initiated the search for a second Alcohol and Other Drug Education Program coordinator to add to the health promotion team at Dick's House, according to department director Bryant Ford. The new administrator will join current AOD coordinator Brian Bowden in managing alcohol and drug initiatives on campus, Ford said.
The decision to add a second AOD coordinator stems from an increased workload due to College President Jim Yong Kim's initiative to address high-risk alcohol use and the expansion of alcohol initiatives like Green Team, according to Ford. Administrators hope the new coordinator will begin working by July 1, Ford said. Online listings for the position have appeared since January.
Bowden said he has enjoyed working closely with students and witnessing changes in their awareness of health issues. He approaches alcohol and other drug issues from the perspective of harm reduction and medical intervention, rather than disciplinary action, he said.
"Everybody wants to fix the alcohol problem on any campus, and the problem is not one to be fixed, it's one to be managed," Bowden said. "I think getting on the same page that we are managing a condition rather than curing a problem is important, but it takes time."
The addition of a new AOD coordinator will help create a safer environment for students but will also shine a spotlight on health promotion and raise the administration's expectations for the department, according to Bowden.
Bowden was first hired in fall 2006 and is currently responsible for training Drug and Alcohol Peer Advisors and consulting with students, staff and faculty about issues related to alcohol and other drugs. He also oversees community outreach programs, according to Ford.
He has also played a role in fully implementing the Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students program, formerly known as Diversions, Ford said. The program is one of the few evidence-based initiatives that has seen demonstrable changes in student behavior regarding alcohol use, according to Ford.
"I think the job has always been enough for more than just one person," Ford said. "The work has expanded exponentially. Right now, [Bowden's] work is primarily with BASICS doing the one-on-one sessions with students and he's also in an advisory position with the Green Team."
Green Team co-chair Lauren Pace '12 said that Bowden works to understand student perspectives and remain cognizant of student culture as the AOD coordinator. Pace said she hopes the new coordinator will follow in Bowden's footsteps.
"It's refreshing to work with an administrator who understands Dartmouth culture and who is so realistic," she said.
Jeff Millman Tu '12, who is responsible for bringing Green Team to Dartmouth, said Bowden's flexibility and ability to relate to students has been vital to the position.
"What I like best about working with Brian is that he really gets it," Millman said.
A male member of the Class of 2015, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the personal nature of the issue, said he had a positive experience working with Bowden, with whom he was required to meet for one-on-one counseling after being taken to Dick's House for alcohol-related reasons.
"He was really realistic about his expectations of Dartmouth students' alcohol consumption, and I thought that was more effective than the scared-straight method that we sometimes get," he said.
The ability to communicate well with students is an important quality for a new AOD coordinator, according to Ford. Presentation, writing and team skills, as well as the ability to be instrumental during meetings aimed at revising policies and protocols, will also be considered.
The new AOD coordinator will possess the same credentials and skill sets as Bowden, Ford said.
"I imagine it's the same position, but what they'll do is divvy up the division of labor," Ford said. "What we would like is for each one of them to be able to do some things with the job that they love, but then also aspects of the job that will challenge them and that they would learn by."
Bowden has assumed the workload of two people for more than a year, according to Millman, who said the College is likely hiring another AOD coordinator due to the success Bowden has already had.
"I would really want to see somebody who makes the effort to get to know the students because some administrative roles at a college are outward facing," Millman said. "An [AOD coordinator's] role is very inward facing."
The department also recently added a second Sexual Abuse Awareness Program coordinator due to Kim's strong interest in health promotion, according to Bowden.
A new AOD position may reflect that the College cares deeply about the issue and wants to devote resources to create new solutions, Green Team co-chair Charlotte Cipparone '12 said.
"Hopefully the new person will eventually be able to gain as much respect as Brian has," she said.
Ford said he is optimistic that the addition will allow Bowden and his new colleague to have more time for outreach and visibility in the community.
