Red Watch Band Program Expands to DePaul University

    DePaul University is the latest college to implement the Red Watch Band Program that was started by the mother of a Northwestern student who died from toxic alcohol poisoning.

    At the recommendation of Clifford Law Offices, DePaul University, senior partner Robert Clifford’s alma mater, is participating in this program which includes a four-hour training session for participants to learn how to recognize alcohol emergencies and to respond effectively.

    Clifford Law Offices represented the family of Matthew Sunshine who died of alcohol poisoning in his Northwestern dorm room two years ago.  As part of the settlement, the Northwestern administration agreed to review and revise parts of its alcohol tolerance policy.  Also part of the settlement, the university agreed to increase funding for academic research on binge drinking and host conferences with leaders from other universities in order to form a unified effort to fight excessive drinking by college students.     

    According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 1,825 college students die each year in alcohol-related incidents and another 599,000 are injured. 

    In a Sept. 23, 2010 editorial in the Daily Northwestern newspaper, it read, “We believe it is imperative that the administration consider the settlement as an opportunity to take a large step forward in its alcohol policy.  We believe NU must take certain steps to ensure alcohol policy changes are of maximum benefit to students.”  To view the entire editorial, please click here:

    Matt Sunshine’s father, Jeffrey, spoke to a reporter of the Daily Northwestern in a story that was published Sept. 21, 2010. 

    The mission of this program is to provide campus community members with a greater knowledge, awareness and skills to prevent student toxic drinking deaths and to promote a student culture of kindness, responsibility, compassion and respect. The national movement is intended to train students on appropriate steps to take when a fellow student passes out from consuming too much alcohol.