TO: Boulder Campus Teaching & Research Faculty, Staff,
Deans, Directors, Dept Chairs
FROM: Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
SENDER: Interim Vice Chancellor Deb Coffin
DATE: September 12, 2011
SUBJECT: Live Free Weekend
I am writing to encourage you to accept an important challenge and inspire your
students to do the same. Counseling and Psychological Services and Oasis (a
network of students committed to sobriety) have issued a challenge to the
university called the Live Free Weekend. From noon September 22 to noon
September 26, all those connected to the university have been challenged to no
alcohol, marijuana, or recreational drug use for 96 hours. Alternatively, if
abstinence is not your goal, you can participate by signing the binge-free
agreement (electing not to binge drink while abstaining from recreational drug
use). Of course, this agreement is consistent with university drug policy and
state laws.
A well-intentioned challenge such as this has the potential to help us grow as
a university. By taking and discussing this pledge, we all have an opportunity
to support our students, exhibit concrete leadership, and model responsible
behavior. Groups or departments are also able to take the pledge together. In
working toward this sort of solidarity, we can stimulate conversation about
substance abuse and explore creative solutions to improving the wellbeing of
our community.
Please take a moment to visit the Live Free website so you can take the pledge
and learn more about this event. And please announce this challenge and the
many events designed for students in your classes. The website is

Together, we can help students learn to make sound choices around alcohol,
marijuana, and recreational drugs while promoting healthy, meaningful ways to
connect. Thank you for helping create a positive impact on our students and
university.
Deb Coffin,
Interim Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs