Healthy WPI

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1 Healthy WPI Drug-Free Schools & Campuses Biennial Review October 2004 HEALTHY ALTERNATIVES PROGRAM Written and compiled by: Gregory Snoddy, Ed.D. Director Healthy Alternatives, Recreation & Club Sports Alumni Gymnasium 100 Institute Road Worcester, Massachusetts (508) healthyalternatives@wpi.edu

2 About WPI: WPI is a pioneer in technological higher education, and is recognized as one of the leading outcomesoriented undergraduate programs preparing people for success in our ever-changing world. Since it s founding in 1865, WPI has broadened and perfected an influential curriculum that balances theory and practice. This innovative and unique combination of educational methods, learning environment and a worldwide network of project centers is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). With its main campus located in Worcester, Massachusetts, WPI supports the academic and research pursuits of over 2,800 undergraduate students, 1,200 graduate students and 220 faculty pursuing opportunities that blend technological research and practice with societal needs, delivering meaningful real-world benefits. I. WPI s Alcohol & Other Drug Program: WPI s Alcohol & Other Drug (AOD) Program is coordinated through the Healthy Alternatives Office, with significant support and involvement of Residential Services, Student Development & Counseling, Health Center and Student Activities staff. This innovative and unique program model, directed by Gregory Snoddy and located within the Department of Physical Education, Recreation & Athletics, brings together WPI s education and prevention efforts, while incorporating Recreation and Club Sports as integral components of these efforts. Through the use of the Social Norming Model, with an emphasis on Myth Reduction marketing efforts, Healthy Alternatives empowers members of the WPI Community to make educated and personal choices and decisions regarding their personal alcohol or other drug usage. The Program also focuses on proactive prevention efforts and activities, including extensive use of the TIPs Peer Alcohol Education and Prevention Program, as well as the incorporation of athletic and recreational facilities and programs (through a three year NCAA Choices Grant), the Bowling Center, and Student Activities and Residence Hall programs with our on-campus and off-campus housing communities (fraternities/sororities/off-campus apartments). Intentional programming efforts on traditional high AOD usage nights (Tuesday, Friday and Saturday) form the basis of many of our activities. Through these complimentary interactions, the Healthy Alternatives Office lends support in the development of a proactive synergy that engages students in campus life, while empowering these same students in the development of healthy habits, attitudes and lifestyles regarding alcohol and/or drug use and general wellness related issues.

3 II. WPI s AOD Program Goals & Achievements The Healthy Alternatives Office serves the university community by initiating and directing the university s efforts, and working with other offices, to address health related issues, which may include alcohol and other drug use or prevention, eating disorders, stress management, HIV/AIDS, safe sex, violence prevention, nutrition and exercise, and employee wellness. Our efforts require close working relationships with Residential Services and Student Activities to create and implement prevention and education strategies and programs for students and staff, many of which involve participation in the recreational sports activities club sports program. Lastly, the Healthy Alternatives Office facilitates WPI s data collection, assessment and public dissemination of social and behavioral campus norms as they relate to alcohol/other drug usage and other health related behaviors and mindsets. Individual Focus Area Goals Healthy Alternatives/Health Education GOAL: Facilitate data collection and dissemination on alcohol/drug usage and associated health related behaviors, permitting the design and implementation of myth reduction strategies and programs for the WPI community. Perform annual or biennial program assessments. Results: Through the use of student data on alcohol and other drug usage, a series of Myth Reduction Programs has occurred through the use of posters, table tents and TechNews articles as part of the effort to saturate the campus with this data. Survey data indicates that our current students consume alcohol at about the same extent as the national average; however, our data also indicates that WPI students engage in high-risk drinking (5 or more drinks in one sitting) at a substantially lower rate than the national average. Assessment serves as one of the cornerstones for pertinent and effective programs. The Healthy Alternatives Office recently conducted internal reviews using three nationally recognized assessment instruments: (1) The CAS Standards (Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education) for the Alcohol & Other Drug Program areas; (2) The Massachusetts Statewide College & University Coalition on Underage & Problem Drinking Action Plan Assessment Instrument; and (3) TheHealthSurvey. The completed CAS Standards and Massachusetts Coalition assessment instruments are attached to this report. As noted in the tables below, the Healthy Alternatives staff has administered and used campus and national data from the CORE Survey ( ) and TheHealthSurvey ( ) on alcohol/other

4 drug usage and associated health behaviors to drive our education and prevention efforts. TheHealthSurvey provides a broad spectrum of pertinent WPI data, including decision-making and behavioral data in the areas of alcohol and tobacco usage, and numerous other health and wellness related areas. This data has been used to create posters, table tents and TechNews articles as part of our effort to saturate the campus (classrooms, residence halls, fraternities/sororities, fitness center, etc), as well as letters to parents and students in July (Parents Alcohol Brochure) and February (Spring Break Letter) regarding alcohol use and associated behaviors. Historical Data ( from the CORE Survey) and Current Data (2003 & 2004 from TheHealthSurvey) are provided below. Table 1: Summary of Historical WPI CORE Survey Data for Alcohol Usage Year % of Students who consumed alcohol in the past 30 days: % of Under 21 Students consuming alcohol in the past 30 days: % of Students who had 5 or more drinks (Binge Drinking) during one sitting in past two weeks: WPI WPI WPI WPI WPI 2001* National 2000 National data uses freshman only

5 Table 2: Alcohol Decision-Making & Behavioral Data (from TheHealthSurvey for WPI 2003 & 2004) Year Q: 3: Students Drinking at ANY level in past year: 2003 Overall: 73% Non-drinker: 27% Light drinker: 38% Moderate drinker: 31% Heavy drinker: 4% 2004 Overall: 71% Non-drinker: 29% Light drinker: 35% Moderate drinker: 30% Heavy drinker: 6% Q: 9d: Students who had 5 + drinks during one sitting in past two weeks: Q: 20b: Students who think avg. peer had at least 5 drinks in past 2 weeks: Q: 19a: Number of alcoholic drinks consumed last time went out: Q: 19b: Amount of time spent drinking the last time you went out? 34% 41% min. 39% 40% min. Interestingly, we see a small decrease in the percentage of students who indicate they drink at any level (71% in 2004 vs. 73% in 2003). Fully 29% describe themselves as non-drinkers, 35% as light drinkers, 30% as moderate drinkers, and 6% as heavy drinkers. Still, we need to redouble our efforts to reach the 6% who self-classify as heavy drinkers. Our data indicates that students who choose to drink are consuming approximately 3 ½ drinks over a two hour period. This suggest that WPI students are generally drinking at a relatively leisurely pace. However, we still need to be vigilant about the 39% who consumed 5 or more drinks in one sitting/evening. We will continue to emphasize our TIPS alcohol training to encourage peers in the facilitation of limiting amounts that students drink. To help facilitate this TIPs training, IFC and Panhel have taken a strong leadership stand by stipulating that all new Greek members will be TIPs trained in C-Term, We are working with TIPs to facilitate this training, as well as publicize this effort. Lastly, the Worcester Consortium Alcohol and Other Drug Specialist and Massachusetts Department of Public Health have created a new Parents Brochure entitled High-Risk Drinking at College: A Message for Parents (attached in the Addendum section) that encourages interaction between parents/guardians and their student on the issue of alcohol use and associated behaviors. Funded through a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, this was sent to the Parents/Guardians of all incoming students during July, 2004.

6 Table 3: Tobacco Decision-Making & Behavioral Data (from TheHealthSurvey for WPI 2003 & 2004) Year Q: 59: Has NOT smoked any cigarettes in the past year: % Smoked only once or twice = 12% % Smoked only once or twice = 12% Q: 61: Smokers average day consumption: None = 65% 1 5 = 26% None = 72% 1 5 = 15% Q: 62: Current smokers who want to quit now: Q: 65: Have Q: 63: Students who used say that they will not smokeless smoke at all after tobacco in college: the past year: 44% 5% 81% 38% 4% 85% Tobacco use is an area that Healthy Alternatives plans to emphasize during the academic year. This will include a series of five face-posters (4 WPI student posters & 1 faculty poster) asking the question What s your reason for not smoking?. This series will culminate with the Great American Smokeout on November 18, Our belief is that many of our students are simply social smokers, meaning that they only smoke when in a social situation, such as a party, and/or when consuming alcohol. One strategy we ll be using is to link social smoking with alcohol consumption, as well as directing efforts towards graduating seniors who smoke, and the implications/impressions given to employers during the interview process, and during the initial months of professional work experience. We anticipate working with CDC on this specific program. To help facilitate this program, WPI has been selected as one of two Worcester Consortium Schools (WPI & Becker) to work with the Massachusetts Tobacco Free Partnership on a pilot project to promote tobacco cessation programs and treatment resources. This effort was launched in August Future Strategies may include: 1. Articles in TechNews on TheHealthSurvey Data. 2. Work with the GAMMA/Bacchus Social Team to lead efforts in facilitation of substance free programs. 3. Share the survey data with members of the WPI community, in particular, IFC, Panhel, Alumni, and members of the faculty and staff. 4. Strengthen the facilitation of a program series on alcohol awareness for various student groups, including Greeks, Student-Athletes, Women and new students. 5. Continue to integrate our unique program model of club sports and recreation programs into our overall prevention efforts. 6. Continue to strengthen and enhance our Employee Wellness Program.

7 GOAL: Teach the two Physical Education classes designed to accommodate special situations: Wellness (P.E. 1006), and Leisure Education (P.E. 1070). Results: These two classes are regularily filled to capacity, and have been fully incorporated into the PERA list of classes, with a focus life-long physical activity and wellness. Each class is taught two times per academic year. In addition, the Leisure Education Class has both a classroom and activity component, and the Wellness Class incorporates stress management and TIPs Alcohol Training into the curriculum. Another important aspect of the HAO Program has been the facilitation of credit-bearing experimental classes (Tae-Bo, Cardio Kick-Boxing, Pilates, Yoga), which are open to all students and directly support women students physical activity needs. GOAL: Continue to work closely with student organizations to gain their involvement and sponsorship for prevention activities on traditional high AOD usage nights. Promote, implement and underwrite substance free programs and activities. Results: On a yearly basis, the Healthy Alternatives Office works with and co-sponsors over 75 campus activities with various campus student organizations. A significant source of these co-sponsorship funds come from the Campus Center/Student Activities Office, as well as the SOAP Fund (Stand Out and Program). The breadth of these activities are wide, and include speakers, bowling nights, game nights, Argentine Tango dance classes, ballroom dance classes, karaoke nights, yo-yo competition, billiards, and working with the Greek System to sponsor campus wide social events on the hill (see attached HAO Activity Data 2003/2004). Future Strategies may include: 1. Continue to work closely with student organizations, Residential Services and Student Activities/SOAP to promote activities on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, which are traditional high usage nights. 2. Work with the WPI Greek system to create alternative social and recreational programs. 3. Increase awareness of alternative activities on campus and within consortium colleges. 4. Promote intramural or recreational sports events on high usage nights. 5. Continue current activities including the annual Super Bowl Party, SAS Rope Pull, and Healthy Alternatives House Programming, National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week, and Spring Break Safety Kits, etc. GOAL: Participate as an active member on various campus, city, state or national committees that relate to the health, safety and well being of students, faculty and staff. Results: External and internal committee work includes: Serving on the Core Leadership and Implementation Team for the Massachusetts College & University Coalition on Underage and Program Drinking; Working closely with Consortium AOD staff and the

8 Worcester Licensing Commission regarding fake ID s, and Bar closure dates for serving underage people. Present alcohol and drug workshops for IGSD and students going abroad, including country specific AOD laws and areas of relevant concern. Served as the Club Sports representative on the Student Organization Council to review new organizations seeking formal WPI recognition. Currently work with the Massachusetts Tobacco Free Partnership on a pilot project (WPI & Becker College) to promote tobacco cessation programs and treatment resources. The WPI Healthy Alternatives Program has also been recognized by the NCAA, having been awarded a three year NCAA Choices Alcohol Education & Prevention Grant, two NCAA Health and Welfare Speaker Grants, and been selected from a national pool to participate in the NCAA Betty Ford Alcohol Education Professional in Residence Program. GOAL: Develop and facilitate a program series on health issues that students are faced with during their college experience. Results: Currently work closely with Student Development & Counseling, Greek Programs, Residential Services and The Health Center in the areas of student AOD assessment, intervention, judicial sanctioning (including a required 5 week alcohol class) and data collection. Presented AOD programs to Residential Services student staff (RA Training & In-service), student athletes at coach s request, and fraternities and sororities. Worked closely with Greek Life Programs to facilitate an Alcohol Screening Day Program, several AOD speakers, and Greek Bid Night food for new members as reminders about Alcohol and Drug issues and associated behaviors. Instituted a new cooking and nutrition program with Chartwells Dining Services entitled An Evening with Chef Rich, focusing on the preparation of quick, cheap, nutritious and tasty meals for college students. Lastly, helped organize the TIPs Alcohol Education & Prevention Trainers as part of our overall peer education strategy. Future Program topic areas may include: 1. Nutrition Education and Weight management for Athletes. 2. Eating Disorder Education for Female Athletes and Sororities. 3. Safe Sex Awareness & Education Week. 4. Alcohol Awareness & Education in the Residence Halls. 5. TIPS Certification Training for Fraternity and Sorority Leaders. 6. Exercise and Nutrition Education for Non-Athletes. 7. Breast Cancer Awareness Week. 8. Risk Management and Responsible Usage and Service of Alcohol or Other Drugs. Goal: Create and implement an Employee Wellness program for faculty and staff. Results: Have created the initial structure of an Employee Wellness Program, including noon-time Yoga and ABSolutely FABulous Class; Body Blast, Bowling League, and Weight Watchers. Participants also get a shirts marketing Employee WPI.

9 Club Sports & Recreation Goal: Utilize Club Sports participation and recreational sports involvement as integral components of AOD prevention programs. Increase awareness and broad-based student participation within the club & recreational sports programs. Results: Intramural Sports offers 10 evening and weekend sports competition opportunities, of which many WPI students participate. As mentioned previously, HAO has also created four new experimental courses that generate earned PE credit. Winter and Spring 2005 will see the implementation of several Recreational Sports contest that are individually based activities, such as Swim the English Channel, Climb the Empire State Building, Hike the Appalachian trail, etc. Future Strategies may include: 1. Work with the Director of Intramural Sports to expand and increase the number of students participating in these activities. 2. Explore the inclusion of additional Intramural Sports targeted at Women students. 3. Market recreational sports opportunities and facilities. 4. Develop articles on the positive benefits of co-curricular involvement. III. WPI s AOD Program Strengths and Weaknesses The combination of Healthy Alternatives, coupled with Recreation & Club Sports Activities brings an engaging and complimentary focus to our AOD prevention efforts. This focus is used to encourage and facilitate student involvement in our recreational sports programs, providing a wide breadth of alternative activities for students to participate in. A close examination of scheduled and non-scheduled facility usage indicates that these facilities are constantly in use by students and employees throughout the day and into the late night/early morning. AOD Program Strengths Include: Physical location and reporting structure within the Physical Education, Recreation and Athletics Department provides unprecedented access to varsity and club sports coaches and athletes. Opportunities are prevalent for AOD and other wellness related workshops. Close and constructive relationships with Residential Services allow for co-sponsorship of programs and activities as well as AOD presentations to staff and residents. Easy access to student staff within residence halls allows effective myth reduction marketing strategies to be put into place.

10 The Healthy Alternatives House provides students the opportunity to live in a co-ed smokefree and substance-free environment. This specialized living unit provides an atmosphere that promotes non-alcohol activities, allowing the residents the flexibility to develop their own activities based upon their interests. The integration of staff roles (AOD and Club Sports and Recreation) facilitates a constructive and complimentary blending of these program pieces. AOD prevention efforts are strengthened through student involvement in healthy, recreational sport activities. Many opportunities for co-sponsorship and partnering with Student Activities and student organizations exist, and have created a nice blending of minds and greater breadth of programming efforts on campus. The inclusion of WPI s GAMMA Chapter and TIPs Trainers, with a focus on educational and social programming efforts, serves as a highly visible outreach strategy. AOD Program Areas to Improve Include: Emphasize TIPs Alcohol Education & Prevention Program and facilitate the training of all new Greek members in spring Initiate greater efforts at market saturation with regard to myth reduction data marketing. Dissemination strategies should utilize posters, table tents in Morgan & Founders Commons, newspaper articles, etc. Re-initiate the Creative Sanctioning Program, using programs such as Alcohol 101 or Alcohol Responsibility for Alcohol Violations. Continue the focus on out-reach to Greek letter organizations and varsity athletic teams to present alcohol and other drug programs. Develop strategies and processes to determine program assessment and identifying what students gained from a program/workshop. Seek specific information on how they will utilize the new knowledge or concepts. IV. Distribution of AOD Policy to Students and Employees: AOD policies are disseminated to members of the WPI community through the following means: WPI Website WPI Campus Planner & Resource Guide (distributed to all students) Annual Issuance of WPI Sexual Harassment Policy by the President Annual Issuance of WPI Policies and Benefits Manual to all employees.

11 V. AOD Policies for Students and Employees attached to this report: VI. Recommendations for Revising and Strengthening WPI s AOD Program: Foster and develop stronger collaborative relationships with State AOD coordinators. Engage athletic teams and Greek letter organizations in discussions regarding alcohol use and abuse, with a focus on making personal, empowered decisions. Strengthen, with Human Resources, an Employee Wellness Program as one of the benefits of employment. Contact Information: Gregory Snoddy, Ed.D. WPI Healthy Alternatives Office Alumni Gym 100 Institute Road Worcester, Massachusetts (508) healthyalternatives@wpi.edu