The issue of student alcohol abuse is always on my mind when I think about our college students and what I want to accomplish for FSU. I had an opportunity to focus on the issue of binge drinking when I recently attended a meeting of the Presidential Leadership Group on Alcohol. This group unites university presidents in taking action against the problem of student alcohol abuse. As part of the program, I presented FSU’s findings on how we’re addressing binge drinking during a nationally broadcast Webinar that was shown to select audiences throughout the country.

I’d like to share some highlights from that Webinar with you because I think it’s important that everyone is informed of how seriously FSU has taken on the issue alcohol abuse. While there is no magic solution – something I emphasized during my presentation—with a comprehensive approach, progress is possible.

FSU recognizes that binge drinking among college students is a multi-faceted issue, and as a result we’re addressing it from many different angles. Students, faculty, staff members representing FSU’s counseling center, activities and athletics, law enforcement, alcohol servers, parents landlords and local residents all have a part to play.

FSU students have been extremely proactive in helping the University address binge drinking. They created and provide the staffing for a SafeRide program that offers free transportation for students on weekend nights. Last year, SafeRide provided over 5,000 rides. Students also are involved in efforts such as the BURG Peer Education Network, whose members encourage healthy choices through educational programming.

The University has implemented 9 out of the 11 alcohol prevention strategies that are shown to be most effective in national data. They include AlcoholEdu, an online education program; social norms and social marketing, substance-free housing, peer engagement and even parental notification of alcohol-related infractions. We also support responsible beverage service training—in fact, we even paid for local bar owners and their servers to have this training.

FSU also created an Alcohol Task Force in 2006, which brings together students, faculty, staff and people from the local community to take a collaborative, community-based approach to binge drinking. This helped us identify key groups we need to interface with, like the Liquor Control Board and local law enforcement agencies, neighborhood groups and bar owners.

As president of FSU, I also believe that presidential leadership is a key part of the multi-faceted approach to dealing with binge drinking. I am very public and very open about my concern by writing letters to parents, publishing my thoughts in the student newspaper, and meeting with our students. In fact, last September I was awarded the very first Presidential Leadership Award from Outside the Classroom and six other higher education organizations for my success in promoting a vibrant intellectual and social campus climate that de-emphasizes the role of alcohol.

Addressing alcohol abuse is an ongoing process, and I am glad we’ve inroads in providing resources and programming and by encouraging dialogue with our community (check out charts documenting FSU's progress, above). I’d like to invite all of you to share your thoughts with me on this issue by posting comments on Blog From the ‘BURG. I will also provide a link to the Webinar at a later date, so you can learn more about this significant part of how we intend to help our students lead healthier lives. Additionally, you can listen to my President's Dispatch broadcast about alcohol abuse here.

10. Your fall wardrobe is pretty tame and you want to take a walk on the wilder side of fashion by sporting a limited-edition Back to the ‘BURG T-shirt featuring a bobcat on it.

9. A free tank of gas from Sheetz = more money to spend on Homecoming refreshments.


8. You’ve always wanted your own photo shoot with Bob E. Cat.


7. It’s usually pretty freakin’ cold during Homecoming, and those hand warmers will come in … handy?


6. You wouldn’t mind having a place to crash during Leadership & Homecoming Weekend 2010.


5. Those crazy CyberBob glasses will make great stocking stuffers.


4. When your girlfriend asks you what you’re doing on Facebook again you can say, “Winning a free hotel room for us, baby.”


3. You believe yourself to be on the cutting edge of technology and have never done an online scavenger hunt … UNTIL NOW.


2. You want to prove to your kids that you actually know how to use the Internet and are hip to the young folks.


1. You want to prove to your alma mater that you’ve got school spirit and know how to show your Bobcat pride. GO BOBCATS!


Registration ends at 3 p.m. EST TODAY (Tuesday, Sept. 15). Sign up at the link below.

http://www.frostburg.edu/facebook/back2burg/register.cfm

ARE YOU READY TO PLAY BACK TO THE ‘BURG?

REGISTRATION: Registration kicks off at noon EST on Tuesday, Sept. 1, and runs through 3 p.m. EST, Tuesday, Sept. 15. You register by filling out the form at this link:

http://www.frostburg.edu/facebook/back2burg/register.cfm

PLEASE NOTE: Back to the 'BURG is for FSU alums only! Only alums are eligible to participate. You must be registered so you can receive your first clue, which will be sent to you on Sept. 16, when Back to the 'BURG officially begins!

HOW TO PLAY:

Back to the ‘BURG is an online scavenger hunt that requires you to solve different clues that will test your knowledge about FSU. Each clue will take you to a new Web site. When you get to each new site, keep your eye out for CyberBob—Bob E. Cat traveling across the online universe in style, with the crazy glasses (see image of CyberBob, below).

• Consider CyberBob your “Where’s Waldo” throughout the Back to the ‘BURG scavenger hunt. If you’re looking for an answer to a clue and you see CyberBob, you’ll KNOW you’re on the right track because his image can take you to the the next URL and a new clue! After you’ve solved all the clues, you will be taken to a special FINAL DESTINATION online.

• Remember, time is of essence, and the top prizes go to the FIRST THREE participants who solve all the clues and make it to the Final Destination! Back to the ‘BURG officially kicks off at noon EST on Sept. 16. All registered participants will be e-mailed their first clue at that time. You have until noon EST on Thursday, Oct. 1, to complete the whole game. And if you’re among the first 100 participants to make it the end of the scavenger hunt, you get a free limited edition Back to the ‘BURG T-shirt! The Top 3 Winners will be announced during Leadership & Homecoming Weekend on Saturday, Oct. 17. May the best—and most social-media savvy—Bobcat win!

GRAND PRIZE:
Leadership & Homecoming 2010 Weekend Package, including a 3 day/2 night hotel gift certificate, a date with Bob E. Cat, an FSU flash drive, CyberBob glasses and hand warmers

FIRST PRIZE:
$100 Sheetz gift card, $50 iTunes gift certificate, FSU flash drive, CyberBob glasses and hand warmers

SECOND PRIZE:
$25 iTunes gift certificate, custom photo album for Homecoming memories, FSU flash drive, CyberBob glasses and hand warmers

Oh yeah, did we mention that the first 100 people to make it through the Back to the ‘BURG scavenger hunt get a limited edition Back to the ‘BURG T-shirt? Trust us, you don't want to miss out on getting one of these stylin' shirts, the perfect addition to any Bobcat's fall wardrobe. : )

• Got questions? E-mail backtotheburg@frostburg.edu.


GOOD LUCK!

I became friends with Lily Luo of China Star (above, left) when FSU sent a delegation to China in October 2008. China Star has been instrumental to FSU signing several agreements with Chinese colleges and universities that are expanding our opportunities in international education for students and faculty. Lily's lovely mother, Guiying Liu (right), also joined us during the luncheon. This was her first time visiting the United States and it was an honor to meet her and have her here while Lily was also visiting our campus.

Frostburg State University recently welcomed some good friends from China who are helping us develop international education opportunities and key relationships there. Our partnership and friendship with Chinese colleges and universities are very important in building an institution that is known for a curriculum with a focus on globalization.

Twenty-five students from China-- including three students who studied with FSU last year and decided to come back because they loved it so much--recently arrived in Frostburg to begin the fall semester. They join a growing number of students from around the world who have chosen FSU as their institution of choice for education abroad. Our international students ensure FSU has a student body that represents the global community we all share. Through their friendships, involvement and scholarship here, they also make FSU a school where students can become global citizens and leaders.


From left, Frostburg's Susan Keller, a city council member; Lily, John Bowman, FSU Vice Provost; and Guiying, Lily's mother, take a moment to enjoy the beautiful campus at FSU.

I encourage everyone to learn more about study abroad opportunities and upcoming events where you can meet our international student community. For more info, contact the Center for International Education.



FSU student Lane Conklin, left, helped international students feel at home during a special orientation on Aug. 27. Lane and the FSU Chamber Choir enjoyed a trip to China in March 2008. To learn more about the trip, click here.

It may not feel like it now, but before we know it, it’s going to be fall in Western Maryland, and that means we get to enjoy fall sports again. This year, as Frostburg State University gears up for another exciting football season, we have a lot to celebrate: As you may have heard, FSU Football is moving from the Atlantic Central Football Conference to the Empire 8 Conference in 2011. It’s an enormous honor to join one of the premier Division III football conferences, and a true asset to FSU’s student-athletes. Being a part of the Empire 8 will provide the FSU Bobcats with a more stable, competitive schedule, and the winner of this conference is automatically entered into the NCAA tournament.

FSU’s move into the Empire 8 is just one of many great developments for our Athletics program. The University also recently accepted an invitation to become a member of the Capital Athletic Conference. The Bobcats joining the CAC is a winning situation because it will improve our competitiveness and expand our range of sports. The Bobcats compete in 13 of the AMCC’s 14 championship sports, but will compete in 18 of 19 sports in the CAC. That includes three Frostburg teams—field hockey, women’s lacrosse and our renewed men’s lacrosse team—that will find a conference after having to compete previously as independents. In addition, the schools that represent the CAC, schools like Salisbury University and St. Mary’s College, are in our recruitment area, making it easier for the families of FSU’s student-athletes to watch their sons and daughters participate in intercollegiate athletics.

As you can tell, there’s a lot going on with FSU Athletics that is taking us to the next level. You can hear more about Frostburg sports by listening to my latest broadcast of The President’s Dispatch. Check out my mp3 player on Blog from the ‘BURG to listen to all my broadcasts and stay informed.

And here are some more helpful links to keep you connected:

• Join in supporting our top-notch sports programs with a gift to the FSU Foundation and designate your favorite team.
• Stay on top of all the events and activities that are happening with FSU Athletics by visiting our sports Web site.

Go Bobcats!

Have you ever heard the expression “the art of living”? It’s a phrase that reminds us to enjoy life to its fullest, to experience everything life has to offer. Here in Western Maryland, we enjoy an artful quality of life, thanks to the many organizations that support the arts and provide inspiring cultural experiences.

FSU provides a variety of great art events and exhibitions throughout the year that bring world-renowned artists to our area and also celebrate the region’s own cultural heritage. Thanks to the University’s Cultural Events Series, local residents of all ages get to enjoy the same quality, affordable performances that are shown in big cities. This year, CES is bringing timeless favorites like Harper Lee’s play “To Kill a Mockingbird,” as well one of country’s hottest TV shows, “American Idol Stars for the Holidays.”

FSU also makes a point of celebrating the best of the region’s own traditional arts and culture, music and history with the annual Appalachian Festival, which this year falls on September 19. This much-anticipated event offers activities like a film festival, traditional crafts and dance workshops and tons of live music.

I also can’t say enough about how much FSU supports the literary community here. Every year, thanks to the University’s Children’s Literature Centre and community partners like FrostburgFirst, award-winning children’s book authors and illustrators come to the City of Frostburg for the Spring Festival of Children’s Literature, as well as the Summer Children’s Author Institute.

The University’s Center for Creative Writing and Department of English have also worked hard to foster a supportive community of writers here in Western Maryland. The Center organizes readings by visiting writers and produces and edits several publications, including the popular Backbone Mountain Review, which draws submissions from regional writers, and Nightsun, a national literary magazine. The Center also sponsors national conferences, like the second annual Nightsun Writer’s Conference later this summer in Frostburg.

I want to encourage all of you to take advantage of the many ways Frostburg State University ensures that art is a daily part of our lives. Click here to learn more about this issue by listening to my latest broadcast of The President's Dispatch. You can also check out broadcasts of The President's Dispatch on my Blog's mp3 player, which you'll find on the right side of the Blog.

And here are some more helpful links to FSU's many great art resources and contributions to our area's cultural community:

Department of Theatre & Dance

Department of Music

Department of Visual Arts

University Programming Council

Stephanie Ann Roper Gallery

I am endlessly impressed by how many talented and exceptional people graduated from Frostburg State University. We have a lot of great alumni out there who work on interesting projects.

John Tobiason, who received a B.F.A. degree from Frostburg State University in 2002 and is now a Multimedia Designer at the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO), recently received top honors at the 7th Annual American Business Awards. John was awarded the Stevie Award for Public Relations Production of the Year, which recognized GPO's video on the printing of the official photograph of President Barack Obama. John was the videographer and editor for the video. More than 2,600 entries nationwide were submitted in 40 categories. Congratulations to John!

To learn more about FSU alumni, click here.



I am honored to be recognized for being part of a video showcasing GPO ... I want to thank the mentors I had at both Bel Air High School and Frostburg State University for inspiring me in my art and graphic design classes. Those classes helped me realize my dream of working in the graphic design field.

- John Tobiason

Frostburg Area Ambulance Service President Wayne Lewis (Frostburg State Class of '64), right, and FAAS volunteer Susi Jolley demonstrate the squad's new bloodborne pathogen protective suits, which were purchased with the help of a community fund drive and donations from Frostburg State University and the FSU Foundation Inc. They are joined by Bernard J. Davisson II, center, FSU vice president for University Advancement and executive director of the FSU Foundation.

To learn more, click here.

It’s understandable that you might feel afraid about what’s going to happen to your job when you hear about layoffs and companies filing for Chapter 11 every day. But beyond all of these alarming headlines is a bigger story that we all need to hear. And that is a story of innovation, change and redefining where we are with our dreams of success and our ideas about what really brings us happiness. When you’re surrounded by risk and uncertainty, it’s a good time to assess your own situation. It’s a moment to dream big-- you have nothing to lose by trying something new.

Getting a college degree is a great way to take action and go after something important to you. Maybe you’ve always wanted to get on a different career path. Perhaps you like your job, but you’re interested in learning new skills that will boost your income and potential for promotion.

I want to encourage all of you to take advantage of the many ways Frostburg State University can help you become someone who is going to define what kind of world we live in. Click here to hear more information on this issue in my latest broadcast of The President's Dispatch. And check out the links below to discover ways to work on a college degree:

FSU's Summer Session 2009

Graduate Study at FSU

Prospective Students

“The President’s Dispatch" is a regular program that gives me an opportunity to do a radio address about how FSU is addressing important issues that affect our campus and local area. You can check it out by tuning into WFWM on Fridays at 5:30 p.m.