NCAA CHOICES Grant

Overview: Lesley University and the NCAA CHOICES Program

The CHOICES program was created by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to support NCAA members as they develop new approaches to reduce alcohol abuse on campus. In spring 2010, Lesley was one of the fourteen colleges and universities across the country to be awarded a CHOICES grant. With this funding, Lesley has been able to:

• Develop more alcohol-free social options on Lesley campuses.
• Offer students at Lesley more resources, options and information related to alcohol abuse.
• Gather extensive data on current alcohol use trends at Lesley -- to better inform our design of activities.
• Engage Lesley's student-athletes in alcohol-related research and curriculum, with outcomes shared in classrooms and other venues.

Learn more:

• Lesley Athletics (NCAA Division III)

Findings from NCHA Survey

In spring 2011, Lesley conducted the National College Health Assessment Web Survey (NCHA-Web) to the university's undergraduates. (The survey was created by the American College Health Association.)

The results gathered from the 400+ student responses show that there are tremendous discrepancies between students' perceptions regarding the use of alcohol and other drugs versus students' actual use. It has been proved that social norms campaigns, which publicize such discrepancies, are an effective tool in decreasing the rates of consumption of these substances on college campuses.

Survey highlights:

• 20.1% of the surveyed Lesley students identified as "non-drinkers."
• 17% of Lesley students reported that they have NEVER drank alcohol. However, students thought that only 2.5% of their peers would respond
  this way.
• In the 30 days prior to the survey, 36.3% of students had not had any alcohol, yet students thought that only 4.1% of students would fit in
  this category.
• In the 30 days prior to the survey, 48.6% of students who drink reported using alcohol on 1-9 days. Students thought that only 26.2% of students would fall into this category.
• 47.7% of Lesley students who drink reported drinking 4 or fewer beverages the last time they "partied."

Data collected from the NCHA will help Lesley's CHOICES committee to educate students about the extent to which alcohol is really used on campus, in order to promote and normalize abstaining and lower-risk consumption. As we inform students about the survey findings, we believe that overall rates of alcohol use on campus could drop because students would no longer be trying to reflect a model that is based on inaccurate perceptions.

Calendar Highlights of Lesley's CHOICES program (since its launch in Fall 2010)

Fall 2010

Statistics Project (September - December)

Four groups of students taking an Introduction to Statistics class conducted alcohol-related empirical research. They surveyed student athletes and non-athletes regarding their use of alcohol and other lifestyle choices, and researched broader issues linked to alcohol use among college student athletes.

Safety Week Drinks (October)

Student Health Services and the Counseling Center served "mocktails" at the Student Center during Lesley's Safety Week. Over 100 students enjoyed non-alcoholic beverages while picking up educational handouts.

National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week (October 17-23, 2010)

Among the activities held at Lesley during this week were:

• Casino night (co-sponsored by the Campus Activity Board). Approximately 100 students attended this fun, alcohol-free evening. "Mocktails" were served and educational materials about alcohol were on display.
• Alcohol Experience Table was set up in White Hall during lunch. More than 120 students signed the "Pledge of Responsibility," which means they committed to drinking responsibly if they were going to drink at all. Students also tried on "beer goggles" that simulate intoxication and read informational brochures.
• Root Beer Pong Tournament at Brattle Campus. 50 students participated in this event, which had an educational twist. They could win points playing "root beer pong" and get additional points for answering trivia questions about alcohol.
• "Sober at 21" Student Presentation, co-sponsored by the Women's Center. A 23-year-old adult learner at Lesley shared her experience of getting sober and how alcohol had previously taken over her life.
• Fitness tests offered by the Athletics Department.
• Meditation instruction.

Spring 2011