About the Coalition
The Campus Community Coalition was founded in 1999 by Western Washington University President Karen W. Morse and Bellingham Mayor Mark Asmundson to prevent and address problems related to student alcohol misuse.
In 2008, the Coalition expanded to increase collaboration with other area colleges and to include other aspects of health, safety, and quality of life relevant the campuses and community.
Mission
The Campus Community Coalition promotes 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.
Core Values
Four core values guide the Coalition’s work – both what we do, and how we work together:
- Community. We engage all stakeholders (students, faculty and staff, business people, neighborhood leaders, law enforcement) to collaboratively plan, implement, and evaluate the Coalition’s activities.
- Respectful dialogue. We demonstrate respect for each other, our diverse perspectives, and our varied interests in all our discussions.
- Shared understanding. We are sensitive to the complexities of the issues and strive toward a shared understanding of all stakeholders’ perceptions and needs.
- Evidence-based approaches. We respond to local issues with creativity, and invest resources in evidence-based approaches that use sound processes, have a positive effect, and are sustainable.
Goal for 2009-2011
Reduce problems related to alcohol and other drugs on campuses and in the community (e.g., noise disturbances, fights, sexual assault, vandalism, and driving under the influence).
What is the model for the Coalition’s work?
The Coalition’s work is based on the model of environmental change. This means that our projects are not focused directly on individuals, but instead on changing the environment in which individuals and groups live and make decisions about their health.
For example:
- The Neighborhood Network seeks to create a neighborhood social environment with deepened student involvement and positive relationships between students and non–student community members.
- The work of the Hospitality Resource Alliance fosters a social environment in downtown bars where responsibility and respect are the norm.
- The Campus Collaborative fosters an environment of collaborative health prevention education between all institution of learning in our community.
How is the Coalition funded?
The Coalition is currently funded primarily by WWU and currently receives in-kind support from several Coalition partners.