The BACCHUS Network™ is a university and community based network focusing on comprehensive health and safety initiatives. The BACCHUS Network™ has been saving lives since 1975 when it was the first group organized on a college campus by students as a response to the need for alcohol awareness and abuse prevention. They chose to call themselves “BACCHUS,” an acronym for Boosting Alcohol Consciousness Concerning the Health of University Students. The name BACCHUS has remained out of respect for its founding and history, and the established identity within Higher Education, but the mission now includes many health and safety issues. This was the first student organization of its kind, and word quickly spread throughout higher education and the term “peer education” was born. The BACCHUS philosophy is that students can play a uniquely effective role - unmatched by professional educators - in encouraging their peers to consider, talk honestly about and develop responsible habits and attitudes toward high-risk health and safety issues. BACCHUS is now a network of more than 32,000 student leaders and advisors who work with over eight million peers on more than 900 campuses throughout the world.

BACCHUS is a student group that works with PIER21: the William W. Sandler Jr. Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Education and the Dean of Students Office to devise events and initiatives on campus to educate the University community about alcohol and other drugs and the dangers associated with high-risk alcohol consumption and drug use.

BACCHUS urges students to be well informed about the dangers involved with use of harmful substances and take/make responsible decisions if/when they choose to drink.

BACCHUS supports low-risk alcohol consumption, designated driving, healthy lifestyle choices, informed decision making, peer accountability and responsibility.

Membership is open to any undergraduate students at the University of Miami who support healthy lifestyle choices and have a passion for peer education!

Since this is a prestigious organization and a vital asset to the University community, membership to the Executive board is obtained by interview. Interested students must download and complete the application below and submit it to the Dean of Students Office in the Center for Student Services, Building 21-E.

Benefits of Being a BACCHUS Member:

• Serve as a selected, trained, and certified UM Peer Educator
• Gain valuable experience educating and mentoring peers on important alcohol and other drug-related issues
• Get the chance to travel (expenses paid) to national & regional conferences where you’ll learn about important topics, make friends from across the USA, & feel the impact of peer education
• Earn points for volunteering! Our points system is simple - the more you volunteer, the more points you earn towards fabulous prizes and rewards for your commitment to our efforts!
• Get the chance to present at the President’s Commission on Alcohol and Other Drug Issues directly to the Vice President, Board of Trustee member, and other prominent members of UM!
• Gain valuable leadership experience that will impress graduate schools and employers
• Have a voice in the planning of alternative social events for students
• Get the chance to collaborate with other student organizations on campus
• Make friends at UM who care about helping people and creating a positive and safe environment for all Hurricanes to make healthy choices!
• Make a difference on Campus and help make UM a safer, more educated community

For more information call 305-284-6120 or write to bacchus@miami.edu.


Executive Board Application