Editor's Note: The complete text of the letter follows the news release. The University of California, Davis, is urging Davis community and business leaders to unite with the campus to reduce incidents of high-risk alcohol consumption by adolescents and young adults in the community. A letter from UC Davis Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef, to be mailed Friday, asks other stakeholders in the Davis community to join the campus in addressing alcohol-related issues following the death Tuesday of UC Davis student David Thornton. Thornton, a senior from Fresno who was majoring in biological sciences, died of alcohol-related causes after a night of drinking in a downtown bar to celebrate his 21st birthday, according to City of Davis police. "This moment, within the context of David Thornton's death, gives us an opportunity to build bridges of communication and cooperation," the letter says. "Our goal should be to develop a campus/community coalition to reduce the occurrence of high-risk alcohol consumption and the inappropriate, sometimes dangerous behavior that can, at its worst, threaten the lives of our adolescents and young adults." In the letter, Vanderhoef acknowledges both the campus's responsibility to try to protect the health and welfare of its students and the efforts of city and business leaders to maintain a safe community for everyone. "Still, there is more to do," he writes. "Our high school and university students must be aware of everything there is to know about high-risk drinking behavior. "We all have educational roles to play -- the campus; our city and university police departments; parents, landlords, business owners, and all who have an interest in minimizing consequences of excessive drinking; wholesalers and retailers who sell and serve alcohol," the letter says. "There are many stakeholders." Carol Wall, vice chancellor for student affairs at UC Davis, will draw members of the Davis community, business leaders and campus officials together within a few weeks, the letter says. "We have the opportunity to increase our impact by joining forces and bringing together the strength of the university's broad-based programs on alcohol and drug abuse with community interests and expertise," Wall says. April 7, 2000 Dear Members of the Davis Community and Business Leaders: The death of young, vigorous people of great potential is always tragic, no matter what the circumstance. UC Davis and the City of Davis have had more than our share of reminders of that in the last two weeks. On April 4 we were reminded, as well, of the life-threatening risks inherent in the abuse of alcohol. Generally, society's advertisements to young adults about alcohol are not composed to remind us of this deadly downside. Rather, one hears of carefree enjoyment, celebration and good times. It behooves others to deliver a more complete message. We on the campus appreciate our ongoing responsibility to do what we can to protect the health and welfare of our students. As well, we recognize the multiple efforts of city and business leaders to maintain a safe community for all our residents. Still, there is more to do. Our high school and university students must be aware of everything there is to know about high-risk drinking behavior. We all have educational roles to play -- the campus; our city and university police departments; parents, landlords, business owners, and all who have an interest in minimizing consequences of excessive drinking; wholesalers and retailers who sell and serve alcohol. There are many stakeholders. This moment, within the context of David Thornton's death, gives us an opportunity to build bridges of communication and cooperation. Our goal should be to develop a campus/community coalition to reduce the occurrence of high-risk alcohol consumption and the inappropriate, sometimes dangerous behavior that can, at its worst, threaten the lives of our adolescents and young adults. UC Davis is committed to this effort. Carol Wall, our vice chancellor for student affairs, will bring us together within the next few weeks for dialog and action. Sincerely, Larry N. Vanderhoef Chancellor