In an attempt to cut down high levels of alcohol use, Iowa State has teamed up with another university to produce a nationwide teleconference today at 1 p.m.

ISU and the University of Vermont are joining forces to produce “Solutions for reducing high-risk alcohol use in the college community,” which will attract viewers and participants from the ISU campus, as well as colleges and universities across the nation.

Alcohol currently ranks as the No. 1 problem on college campuses across the country. In addition, student alcohol abuse is responsible for more than 40 percent of academic difficulties, as well as crime and violence, according to a press release.

The teleconference program incorporates strategies that assist colleges and universities with responding responsibly to the issue of alcohol abuse.

The program also features experts who will provide insight into high-risk drinking behavior, identify the characteristics of useful and effective programs and explain how to develop practices and policies that successfully modify student drinking behavior, according to a press release.

Viewers may learn from the teleconference characteristics and implications of high-risk drinking and reasons behind alcohol use.

The teleconference also will implement ideas and current programs for reducing or changing high-risk drinking behaviors and will include ways to assess problems from student alcohol abuse at different schools.

Special feature interviews with students, administrators, staff and faculty are another highlight of the program. One goal behind the interviews is gaining insight into student alcohol abuse, regarding the progress, problems and solutions each individual has encountered.

Randy Mayer, coordinator of health education at the Student Health Center, said the program is a benefit because it will draw people together and create awareness.

ISU became a part of the program with funding from NETWORK (Network of Colleges and Universities Committed to the Elimination of Drug and Alcohol Abuse).

The teleconference, which will be held in Room 2532 at Veterinary Medicine, will last until 3 p.m. An optional discussion will follow the presentation.

The teleconference is free and open to the public.