Founded in 1997, The StepUp Program, an Augsburg College program, is for men and women in recovery from alcohol or other drugs. This is not a treatment program but rather a recovery based student support program. This small program can accommodate 65 enrollees.

Director for the StepUp program is Patrice Salmeri, who has a Master's degree in Human Development, with a Bachelor's in Health and Physical Education. He is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor. David Hadden is the Assistant Director. He is a Licensed Independent Social Worker, a Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor and has both his MA in School Health and Post Graduate Certification in Drug and Alcohol Counseling.

Students enrolled in the StepUp program live in an on campus "chemical free" living area, where students have separate bedrooms and community living spaces that include a living room, kitchen and dining room. In addition, students are required to sign a contract that they will commit to six months of sobriety and active recovery. They agree to attend two AA/NA meetings a week, maintain communication with their AA/NA sponsor, meet weekly with a licensed counselor and attend the weekly StepUp program circle which focuses on the community living issues, recovery and academic skills.

Other agreements within their contract include regular class attendance and keeping the community areas clean, along with specific do's and don'ts within the program.

[This information came from the StepUp Program at Augsburg College website.]