By Megan Frazer

In an effort to assist students living away from home for the first time, Northeastern Univer-sity has created an office to offer advice and provide structure for students.

As part of Northeastern’s Husky Health total wellness program, university officials are in the process of assembling a search committee in the attempt to find a drug and alcohol counselor.

The counselor, with assistance from Residen-tial Life staff, will conduct mandatory informational sessions to discuss the damaging affects of drugs and alcohol on young people, as well as promote awareness to all incoming freshmen, said Vice President for Student Affairs Ed Klotzbier.

The new position, which was previously incorporated under former alcohol and drug education program director Judy Phalen, now includes responsibilities that have been added to the job description, Klotzbier said.

In addition to freshman programming, the counselor will also be made available to student organizations that may request group education.

“[The counselor] will really provide what we think the students need in the area of drug and alcohol education,” Klotzbier said.

The consistency of heavy drinking in the 18 to 22-year-old age group is reason enough to provide students with a strong education on the subject, he said.

Despite some students’ beliefs that the new position was created due to complaints from the Fenway community regarding student behavior on weekends and during the Super Bowl riots, Klotzbier said the hiring of the new drug and alcohol counselor has nothing to do with Northeastern’s recent bad press.

The search committee for the counselor, chaired by Director of the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution Bill Fischer, will consist of seven members, some possibly from student groups such as the Student Government Association (SGA).

The committee will be looking for someone with experience in prevention program development and at least a master’s degree in health education, public health or social work, Klotzbier said.

But some students said they disagree this programming is necessary.

“Students are going to do what they want to do, and that goes for pretty much anything, drinking included,” said freshman psychology major Gina Parise. “It depends on how you were raised and what your parents instilled in you. It’s a little late to change minds.”

The drug and alcohol counselor will be housed in the Student Affairs Office, in 104 Ell Hall until the merge between the Lane Health Center and counseling services is complete.

SGA President Andres Vargas said the position, especially in cooperation with ResLife staff, will be “promoting responsibility and the proper use of alcohol.”

Students, however, said they feel the new position might not be an essential part of Northeastern.

“I don’t really think it’s necessary, but it’s good to have around for kids who need to get help. I think it has a big part to do with Northeastern’s relationship with the community. They want to look like they’re doing whatever they can to take the proper steps to protect their students,” said Chris Lapierre, a junior finance major.

Hoping to fill the position before the semester is over, Klotzbier said advertisements have been placed in the Boston Globe, the Hispanic Outlook, the Student Affairs Web site and other news outlets.

While still in its earliest stages, Klotzbier said he is excited for the project.

“With the right candidate working with ResLife staff, health, counseling and student affairs, it will be very successful,” he said.