University of Wisconsin - Stout

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Chancellor's Statement

We mourn the loss of three fine young people — April Englund, Amanda Rief, and Scott Hams. Our thoughts and prayers reach out to the family and loved ones of each of them — as we all in our own way struggle to make sense of this tragedy.

A void exists in the lives of many and in the UW-Stout community. They were part of the fabric of this university; they interacted with and touched the lives of so many, and now they are gone.

Perhaps we can best sustain this by celebrating those lives, remembering them as they were and remembering what they brought to their family and friends, and to us.

They had dreams and aspirations, and perhaps at this time, the UW-Stout community might rededicate itself to maintain a healthy, strong, vibrant community where all are respected and where all have a supporting, caring environment; and where all can reach their greatest potential.

Charles W. Sorensen
Chancellor, UW-Stout

 

 

Chancellor's Response to Toxicology Report

The Dunn County Medical Examiner’s Office today released the toxicology tests performed after the tragic deaths of April Englund, Amanda Rief and Scott Hams in an off-campus apartment fire April 5.

The report shows that all of the victims were intoxicated at the time of the fire, which may have contributed to their deaths.  This does not make their deaths any less tragic; this does mean that as a campus, we need to review our efforts to ensure we do whatever possible to curb alcohol abuse among members of the UW-Stout community because this is a serious issue of public health and safety.

It is important to keep in mind that, this tragedy notwithstanding, we have a highly regarded comprehensive approach to combating alcohol abuse on campus, which has contributed to a slow but continuous improvement in efforts to reduce high-risk drinking. It is also important to keep in mind that our efforts need to be seen through the prism of Wisconsin’s history and culture of drinking.

Through the University Counseling Center, the UW-Stout Alcohol and Other Drug Education Program provides a variety of services related to alcohol and other drug prevention, intervention, assessment and counseling. Our counselors who work in this program coordinate their efforts with community groups, including the Dunn County Partnership for Youth and the Arbor Place treatment facility.

For example, every UW-Stout student who receives a citation for underage drinking in Dunn County is encouraged through the legal system to participate in the Dunn County Alcohol Awareness Program.  The program includes an alcohol and other drug assessment, as well as an education program on the effects of substance abuse. Repeat underage drinking offenders are referred to classes that cover the effects of alcohol on the body, measuring blood alcohol concentrations, setting personal drinking limits and coping with high risk situations.

While too many of our students still drink at high-risk levels, data shows that high-risk drinking is not the norm at UW-Stout. Data collected over the last decade has shown that our students’ drinking levels have decreased significantly, and 80 percent of UW-Stout students either do not drink or drink in moderation.

While we are not blind to the need for continued work in this area, we understand we live in a state that, unfortunately, has a culture of drinking.  Research has shown that Wisconsin leads the nation in per-capita consumption of alcohol and has the lowest abstention rate.

The Chancellor’s Coalition on Alcohol and Other Drugs is working on a marketing campaign to spread the word even more effectively that the personal choice to be smart and healthy does not include high-risk drinking. I hope this “smart and healthy” message will convince other students to moderate their drinking or, better yet, abstain entirely. I will be asking the coalition to schedule a meeting soon to discuss these toxicology reports and report to me on what further efforts the coalition believes should be taken to combat alcohol abuse on campus.

No matter what we do as an institution, no matter how good our programming is, students are responsible for their individual choices and have to take responsibility for their actions.  We need to continue to spread the message that any student who drinks to excess puts himself or herself in danger, that if you drink too much, you can’t keep yourself or your friends safe.

 

Charles W. Sorensen
Chancellor, UW-Stout

 

News and Obituaries:

Obituaries

News Release


News Coverage:

 

July 16, 2008

 

July 15, 2008

 

May 12, 2008

 

April 24, 2008

 

April 21, 2008

 

April 12, 2008

 

April 10, 2008

April 9, 2008

April 8, 2008

April 7, 2008

April 6, 2008

 

April 5, 2008

 

Celebration of Life Held

The Stout Student Association hosted a “Celebration of Life” on Thursday, April 17, in the Grandview Terrace of the Memorial Student Center. The parents and siblings of the three students who died in the fire were presented with the signed Memory Walls and remembrance notebooks. The program also included poems read by students and a PowerPoint featuring pictures of the students and music.  The PowerPoint concluded with the words: “The memories we shared will never be forgotten.” Chancellor Charles W. Sorensen also met with each family to express his condolences.

 

Memorials

We Remember is a place to post condolences and memories online.

April Englund: A Guest Book is available to convey your thoughts to her family.

Amanda Jean Rief: A Guest Book is available to convey your thoughts to her family.

Scott Hams: A Guest Book is available to convey your thoughts to his family.


Grief Support

Grief Support