Contact: Lara Welker, Campus Community Coalition, 650-6863; Lara.Welker@wwu.edu

BELLINGHAM – The Campus Community Coalition, a diverse partnership involving Western Washington University, the City of Bellingham and a number of community partners, will celebrate the coalition’s 10-year anniversary in a recognition ceremony 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 29 at Bellingham City Hall.

The public is invited to attend the event, which also will be televised on the city cable TV station BTV10 beginning at 5 p.m. Thursday Oct. 1. 

“It is a significant milestone to mark 10 years of very successful collaborations among the coalition’s many partners. This organization is a strong and nationally recognized example of an innovative Town-Gown effort,” said WWU President Bruce Shepard.

The City of Bellingham has been a key partner of the Campus Community Coalition since it was formed. The Mayor’s Office, Neighborhood Services, Police Department, City Attorney’s Office, Planning and Community Development, and Public Works have all been involved in the Coalition. Other community partners include Whatcom Community College, Bellingham Technical College, Northwest Indian College, bars, neighborhood associations, the Washington State Liquor Control Board, Whatcom County Health Department, and other local organizations.

“I appreciate Western’s efforts to strengthen ties with the local community, and join in congratulating the Campus Community Coalition and its many partners for 10 years of success,” Bellingham Mayor Dan Pike said.  “The Coalition continues to evolve to meet changing needs, but our shared mission to improve community health, safety and quality of life remains critically important today. I look forward to our continued successful work together.”

In October 1998, former WWU President Karen W. Morse spearheaded the Presidents’ Initiative, a statewide public commitment by the presidents of Washington’s institutes of higher education to address alcohol and drug issues on their campuses. This commitment included supporting the formation of campus community coalitions as one important approach to prevent and address these issues, and in 1999 President Morse and former Bellingham Mayor Mark Asmundson appointed charter members of the Campus Community Coalition in Bellingham.

The Coalition, which has a longstanding “home” in Prevention and Wellness Services of Western’s Student Affairs Division, is changing its approach somewhat. It will continue its primary focus of addressing health and safety issues, especially challenges related to student alcohol use. However, it will also be positioned to assist with some other student/community related issues and to strengthen community partnerships through its new involvement with the WWU Office of University Relations.

For the past 10 years, the Coalition, comprised of members of campus and community organizations, institutions and businesses, has promoted working relationships and communication among the colleges and community to enhance shared responsibility through collaborative education and problem-solving to improve the health, safety, and quality of life of the entire community. The Campus Community Coalition is funded by Western Washington University.

For more information about the Campus Community Coalition, see Coalition.

Note: Dates scheduled for BTV10 broadcast of the Campus Community Coalition anniversary recognition ceremony are: 5 p.m. Thursdays; 1:30 p.m. Fridays; 2:30 p.m. Sundays and 7 p.m. Sundays through October. For a BTV10 television schedule and other information see: http://www.cob.org/services/education/btv10/index.aspx

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