Student Safety Task Force Begins Work

Bemidji State’s task force on student safety, formed by President Hanson in response to a BSU student’s alcohol-related death in December and a second serious incident in January, has begun its work.

The 27-member task force is chaired by Dr. James Parker, vice president for student development and enrollment, and includes BSU faculty, staff and students along with representatives from the Bemidji community including Sanford Health, the Bemidji Police Department, Beltrami County Sheriffs and Bemidji Fire Department.

The task force has identified six subgroups where the majority of its work will be done. Those groups are:

  • Marketing & Advertising
  • Partnerships
  • Policies & Procedures
  • Prevention, Education & Training
  • Programming
  • Research

Hanson charged the joint university-community task force to develop a systemic approach to addressing the safety threat posed by alcohol abuse. The task force, which includes students, will be guided in part by an upcoming student survey to better understand alcohol-related behaviors and attitudes, Hanson said.

“It’s hard work, but we must do this,” he said.

The group met for the first time on Wednesday, Feb. 18, and will convene weekly through the end of April. The task force will report its findings and recommendations to President Hanson in early May.

Related
• Jan. 29 – President Hanson Challenges Students at Summit on Alcohol Use and Safety