Online education for alcohol
Alyse Thompson
Issue date: 9/21/09 Section: News
Since grade school, students have been warned repeatedly about alcohol consumption and its consequences. Nevertheless, problems with alcohol continue to afflict many colleges across the nation, including Western Illinois University.
Recently, Western has taken more steps to further inform students about drinking and its possible repercussions.
To determine the magnitude of their alcohol problems, universities like Western can turn to the CORE Drug and Alcohol Survey, developed by the U.S. Department of Education.
"This survey allows institutions to benchmark what goes on with their campus and other campuses," said Mary Margaret Harris, director of the Beu Health Center. "Western has areas that need to be improved, and we want to reduce negative effects. We want people to graduate from here." ?
The university's first initiative in its educational process is the Alcohol-Wise online survey taken by incoming students. This 90-minute survey, created by Third Millennium Classrooms, is meant to enlighten students on various alcohol-related topics. ?
"We want to educate people so they can make the decision that is best for them. We don't want bad things to happen because of the choices they make," Harris said. ?
Since fall 2008, students taking the survey have been educated on subjects ranging from sexual assault to myths about hangover fixes. Students also view a comprehensive report on their own behaviors with alcohol in hopes they will use the information to reconsider future situations. ?
"I took some surveys," said freshman athletic training major Brendan Smith. "They are really informative, and they help me make the right choices." ?
Western is not the first nor the only campus to adopt an online alcohol survey.
Eastern Illinois University uses the AlcoholEdu course to inform new students about the possible dangers of alcohol. ?
In addition to the survey, Western's policies on drugs and alcohol will also undergo re-evaluation.
"All of the alcohol and drug policies should be reviewed minimum of every two years," Harris said."Any changes would be recommended to the policy making body of the university through the process that is in place for policy review. This work has not yet been done."
For students who entered Western before fall 2008, the Alcohol and Other Drug Resource Center, located in Seal Hall, provides outreach programs to athletics, Greek organizations and other student groups seeking prevention information. ?
With all the change in alcohol education, Western students are well-equipped to make the best decisions.
For help, students can contact the Alcohol and Other Drug Resource Center at 309/298-2457, open from 8-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Recently, Western has taken more steps to further inform students about drinking and its possible repercussions.
To determine the magnitude of their alcohol problems, universities like Western can turn to the CORE Drug and Alcohol Survey, developed by the U.S. Department of Education.
"This survey allows institutions to benchmark what goes on with their campus and other campuses," said Mary Margaret Harris, director of the Beu Health Center. "Western has areas that need to be improved, and we want to reduce negative effects. We want people to graduate from here." ?
The university's first initiative in its educational process is the Alcohol-Wise online survey taken by incoming students. This 90-minute survey, created by Third Millennium Classrooms, is meant to enlighten students on various alcohol-related topics. ?
"We want to educate people so they can make the decision that is best for them. We don't want bad things to happen because of the choices they make," Harris said. ?
Since fall 2008, students taking the survey have been educated on subjects ranging from sexual assault to myths about hangover fixes. Students also view a comprehensive report on their own behaviors with alcohol in hopes they will use the information to reconsider future situations. ?
"I took some surveys," said freshman athletic training major Brendan Smith. "They are really informative, and they help me make the right choices." ?
Western is not the first nor the only campus to adopt an online alcohol survey.
Eastern Illinois University uses the AlcoholEdu course to inform new students about the possible dangers of alcohol. ?
In addition to the survey, Western's policies on drugs and alcohol will also undergo re-evaluation.
"All of the alcohol and drug policies should be reviewed minimum of every two years," Harris said."Any changes would be recommended to the policy making body of the university through the process that is in place for policy review. This work has not yet been done."
For students who entered Western before fall 2008, the Alcohol and Other Drug Resource Center, located in Seal Hall, provides outreach programs to athletics, Greek organizations and other student groups seeking prevention information. ?
With all the change in alcohol education, Western students are well-equipped to make the best decisions.
For help, students can contact the Alcohol and Other Drug Resource Center at 309/298-2457, open from 8-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
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