Top state officials typically do not personally commend college organizations. However, on Friday, Virginia Attorney General Mark L. Earley did just that.
At a presentation at the University on Friday, Earley praised the Inter-Sorority Council's recent decision to ban alcohol at events cosponsored with fraternities.
During the ceremony, he presented ISC president Allison White with a framed letter commending the ISC's new policy.
In his letter to the ISC, Earley states that the organization's leadership "is a concrete example of how Virginia is continuing to make progress" in the area of alcohol abuse on college campuses.
"What stood out in my mind is that [Attorney General Earley] took the time to come," Dean of Students Penny Rue said. "I think he, like I am, is convinced that change occurs by students taking the lead. This is a case where students did just that, and he took notice."
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Earley also visited the University to honor fraternities when the Inter-Fraternity Council decided to ban liquor from parties in 1998.
Reducing alcohol abuse on campuses has been a major goal of Earley's since the alcohol-related deaths of five Virginia college students in 1997, including University student Leslie Baltz.
In November 1997, Earley formed a statewide Task Force on Drinking by College Students to recommend methods to reduce the prevalence of alcohol abuse on college campuses.
The task force held a meeting at the University in 1998 and talked to first-year students about alcohol-related issues.
In response to Earley's initiative, University President John T. Casteen III formed the University-Wide Task Force on Alcohol Abuse in February 1998.
"Attorney General Earley's leadership on this important issue has been an inspiration to those of us concerned about making the social aspect of college life as safe and rewarding as possible," White said. "The ISC sincerely appreciates his help and attention to this matter as we have been making it a part of self-governance at U.Va."
According to Assistant Dean of Students Aaron Laushway, Earley and the statewide task force will point to the ISC and its decision as a model for other schools.
White said Earley's interest in alcohol use on college campuses is justifiable.
"It seems relevant since most universities are state controlled," she said. "Using us as an example is not totally out of line. It makes sense."
In his letter, Earley stated that ISC's leadership "is so very important to the welfare of students at this great University. Mr. Jefferson would be proud!"
Earley could not be reached for comment yesterday.
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