CWU Wellness Annual Report 2011-2012 Order of the Report Executive Summary
2
Prevention Puzzle
3
Prime for Life
4
SARC Services
5
Green Dot
6
CCC Report
7
Policy Development
8
Gambling Awareness 9 Student Health 101
10
Photo Voice
11
Look Up Reach Out
12
Rock Against Rape
13
Dine and Tote
14
Love Glove Club
15
Aspen 5K Run
16
Student Programs
17
Wellness Research
18
Wellness Research
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Wellness Research
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The Wellness Center Mission
Promote positive health behaviors, prevent negative consequences associated with high-risk behavior, and encourage the social connections that support student success. A core value of the Wellness Center is that educational programs and services are developed through the application of scientific evidence and relevant research.
The four pillars of the Wellness Strategic Plan are:
1) To provide a comprehensive program of individual and environmental approaches to reduce negative consequences associated with the misuse of alcohol, marijuana and other substances. 2) To provide exemplary power-based personal violence prevention, education and response services. 3) To promote positive mental health and suicide prevention. 4) To provide education and resources that promotes positive health behaviors.
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CWU Wellness - Annual Report 2011-2012
Executive Summary – Gail Farmer 2011-2012. What a stunning year! This past year the Wellness Center staff implemented three different grants approximating $65,000. This was in addition to our typical annual efforts so we were extremely efficient and productive this past year!
Ms. Gail Farmer Director of Wellness
Wildcats Making Healthy Choices, a 3 year, $30,000 NCAA Grant aims to reduce high risk and underage drinking by CWU students using a unique partnership with the Department of Athletics and student athletes. We also worked very closely with the Publicity Center on campus to develop innovative and award winning social marketing campaigns. Outcome analysis is promising but we’ll have a better idea if the campaign is successful over the next couple of years.
Photo Voice, made possible by a $32,000 18 -month grant with the National Social Norms Photo Voice Marketing Institute, is an exciting and pioneering social norms campaign focused on reducing Using a student perspective to high risk drinking. This campaign was a joint effort with Dr. Becky Pearson in the School of Public Health and it’s main emphasis was in using a student perspective to assess the drinking assess the drinking “culture” “culture” at CWU. at CWU. The Wellness Center also received a $4,000, 9-month grant from the Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling. The grant, awarded in February 2012, is to promote awareness of problem gambling among college students and provide positive social messaging about the issue. Once again we partnered with Dr. Pearson in the administration of the research components of the grant. Our team of 10 student employees brought their considerable skills and passion for prevention to bear in the Wellness Center programming efforts for 2011-2012. In addition to the tried and true initiatives like the Love Glove Club, Rock Against Rape, Pump Down the Volume, Party Central, Dope on Dope, and Green Dot bingo they also tackled new adventures in programming that included Campus Dine and Tote, Aspen 5K, Look Up Reach Out, Peer 2 Peer and late night programs – Zombie Nights and Late Night Carnival. We have been supported in all of our efforts by our extensive “pit crew” that includes The Residence Hall Association, Campus Recreation, Outdoor Pursuits, Dining Services, Student Union Operations and all the wonderfully creative professional and student staff in Publicity.
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CWU Wellness - Annual Report 2011-2012
Prevention Puzzle Our Prevention Planning Model addresses the general student population (Universal Prevention); students who are known to be in a high-risk group (Targeted Prevention); and students who have demonstrated high-risk behaviors (Indicated Prevention), and includes research based, comprehensive, well-coordinated programs with a focus on student engagement forming the guiding principals at the Wellness Center. All first year students who came to campus in fall 2011 were required to complete both a web-based alcohol and marijuana survey. Prevention curriculum embedded in the personalized feedback that students receive educate CWU students about the harmful effects of alcohol and marijuana, act as prevention for future substance use-related violations, challenge student expectations and clarify normative behavior. You can check both of these programs out by visiting our web page (www.cwu.edu/wellness).
Prime For Life is an 8-hour class that is offered multiple times per quarter to students who have been sanctioned by the courts, or university conduct officers as a consequence of violating state alcohol laws or the student code of conduct. In addition to the class, students complete an online alcohol and drug survey and a one-on-one interview with the facilitator of the class. Except for DUI related offences, Prime for Life is a court-approved alternative to the alcohol & drug information school (ADIS) offered in the community. If a student has been court ordered to receive an alcohol and drug evaluation, they need to have this completed by a state certified agency in the community.
Under the Influence and Marijuana 101 are both web-based classes that take approximately 1.5 – 2 hours to complete. Typically a student will be asked to take Under the Influence for a minor alcohol offense that violates the student code of conduct or the housing policy. Marijuana 101 is typically assigned to students who violate state law or university policy with respect to marijuana. The courts often accept it as an alternative to the ADIS, but students need to confirm this with their probation contacts. National data and evidence collected at CWU support the efficacy of all of these interventions. These classes are effective and follow best practices as noted by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Association of Student Affairs Professionals and others. Students like the classes because they are offered in a non-biased, non-judgmental format with protocols emphasizing personal choice, support for change, and challenging outcome expectancies. There has been little change in the number of students taking marijuana 101 over the past three years. The number of students sanctioned to Under The Influence has fluctuated and mirrors the trend in Prime For Life sanctions. Marijuana 101 and Under The Influence both have a module for evaluation that we will be strictly following beginning fall 2012 so that we can start to measure outcome data for these courses.
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CWU Wellness - Annual Report 2011-2012
Prime for Life Prime for Life (PFL), an alcohol prevention education program, is offered a minimum of four times each quarter. It is a class for students who have been sanctioned by the courts or by university conduct officers as a consequence of violating state alcohol laws or the student code of conduct. The class helps students reduce their risk for alcohol-related problems and is based on well-documented scientific research findings.
There were encouraging trends this year. The number of sanctioned student participants was down from last year; the chart below shows participation since 2006. The number of student participants decreased by 18% from last year; the number of class sections decreased by 20%. Participants are given a pre- and post-test with each class. Results demonstrate the value of PFL.
Students demonstrated an increase in knowledge as a result of taking PFL. For example:
22% Increase the number of students who recognized that their drinking is a problem sometimes.
30% Increase
39% Increase
59% Increase
the number of students who the number of students who the number of students who recognized that it is one’s disagreed or strongly disagreed correctly answered that choices, not the type of person that getting drunk regularly is judgment is the first thing that they are, that increases the a normal part of being a college becomes impaired when we risks for problems with alcohol. student. drink.
Class evaluations showed improvement over last year: 95.6% found the instructor knowledgeable about the subject – up from 94.4% last year. 95% said the instructor presented information in a non-biased, non-judgmental manner 65% found the class informative and useful 20.2% said they’d recommend this class to friends
Nearly one-third of the students who went through PFL said they plan on reducing their quantity and frequency of alcohol consumption as a result of the class up from 21.4% last year!
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CWU Wellness - Annual Report 2011-2012
Sexual Assault Response Coordinator
Ms. Andrea Easlick Health Educator
The Central Washington University Wellness Center and its staff are dedicated to providing exemplary support to survivors of power-based personal violence (sexual assault, partner violence, and stalking), but our primary goal is to eliminate the perpetration of these crimes altogether. The Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) serves as a confidential resource and advocate who facilitates access to all needed services for survivors of power-based personal violence (PBPV). SARC services are available free of charge to CWU students, faculty, and staff and include providing outreach and education to the campus community and working toward the goal of providing both prevention and intervention services to all.
Wellness Center dedicated to providing
2011-2012
exemplary support to survivors of
The SARC provided services
power-based personal violence
SARC
for 34 students
Services are available free of charge to CWU students, faculty, and staff During the 2011-2012 school year the SARC provided services for 34 students, and attempted contact with an additional 23 who were identified from various departments as individuals who could benefit from services. In general, students seem to be increasingly open to reporting incidents either to law enforcement, the campus judicial process, or both to hold others accountable for their actions. Efforts to evaluate student satisfaction with services remain a challenge, but data collected from those who have responded report positive experiences.
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CWU Wellness - Annual Report 2011-2012
Green Dot It was another successful year for violence prevention efforts at CWU with Green Dot and active bystanders leading the way. A kickoff event in October provided faculty, staff, and students with an introduction for some, and review for others, of the Green Dot strategy, and an opportunity to learn about how they could prevent violence in our community. Skills-building workshops continued with over 100 new participants (students, staff, and faculty) trained, as well as requests from the Center for Diversity and Social Justice, TRiO program, and athletic teams to train their groups. As a result of the continued success at CWU, Sexual Assault Response Coordinator Andrea Easlick was invited to Oregon State University to assist in launching their first bystander training with the Greek population. Finally, an evaluation of the program’s effectiveness was done in the spring and will be repeated during spring 2013. Preliminary results reveal students who are familiar with Green Dot are more likely to do something in response to a high risk situation, versus those who are not familiar tended to be more likely to remain neutral or not respond. New for 2012-2013 is a marketing campaign to increase visibility of the movement by way of short videos, sidewalk chalking, and the use of QR codes to direct students to more information on the website.
How likely are you to do a proactive green dot this week to communicate the importance of this issue (have a conversation, wear your green dot shirt)?
Do you know someone who has had an act of power based personal violence committed against them?
Have you ever directly observed a red-dot moment?
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CWU Wellness - Annual Report 2011-2012
Campus-Community Coalition – Neighborhood Relations Off-campus noise citations Since 2009, all off-campus students who are cited by police for a noise violation receive both legal and university sanctions. They are required to have a meeting with the CCC coordinator to have a good neighbor discussion that promotes effective communication and respect for community. In addition, students who are ‘repeat offenders’ or are cited for a large and disruptive party are required to do 10 hours of community service, in consultation with the CCC coordinator. While the number of students sanctioned for noise citations increased a bit, the numbers sanctioned for community service decreased by 43%. On-campus neighborhood relations
Ms. Lynne Harrison CCC Coordinator
Collaborative efforts with housing continue to facilitate neighborhood relations on-campus. Pump Down the Volume (PDTV) is a communication skills program designed to help students learn strategies for addressing problems, minimizing conflicts and enhancing quality of life. One of the major sources of conflict for students living in the residence halls involves noise. PDTV is offered as part of CWU’s First 6-Weeks Programming to help incoming students learn to effectively communicate with their neighbors. It was presented three times during fall 2011, and again in spring 2012 for students who had had on-campus noise citations. During the fall, more than 200 students attended the sessions in the residence halls (a 73% increase in number of students reached from fall 2010!). Student evaluations showed that 91% found the facilitators interesting and informative and said that the program gave them a good tool for communicating and resolving issues. Also, most students recognized ways that noise can impact their neighbors.
Check out the Neighborhood Relations web site at www.cwu.edu/~nr !
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CWU Wellness - Annual Report 2011-2012
Policy Development Efforts – Social Host Policy The Campus-Community Coalition continued to be a key player with the Consequences Committee. A meeting was held in December 2011 to present information about social host policies and get feedback. The meeting was televised on KIMA news; participants included the city attorney and representatives from the county prosecuting attorney’s office, city police, probation, and the Kittitas County Community Network Coalition. Subsequent to that meeting, two surveys were conducted, one of CWU students and one of local law enforcement officers. The surveys were administered by the Campus-Community Coalition in partnership with the Law & Justice Department, to compile data regarding underage drinking parties and to see if the data supports moving forward with a proposal for a social host ordinance. The Alcohol Consumption and Social Hosting Survey of CWU students asked questions regarding where students get alcohol, where and how much they typically consume alcohol, and both negative and positive behaviors observed at parties. It was completed by 527 students; 55% were age 21 or older, and the rest were 18-20. Of those surveyed, 84% said that they drink alcoholic beverages. Of those who drink, most do not drink on campus. The majority drink off campus at small gatherings with friends or at parties. The most common negative observations at parties included people getting drunk, underage drinking, loud music and noise, and some uninvited people. The most common positive behavior observed at parties is friends taking care of each other. The law enforcement survey was sent to 20 officers at CWU PD, EPD, Sheriff’s 24% of students under the age of 21 said they Office, and the State Patrol, asking questions about their calls to underage do not consume alcoholic beverages drinking parties and their perception of the effectiveness of current laws in stopping underage drinking parties. Of the 18 surveys returned, 78% said they have stopped at a party because of noise, and 2/3 said they have shut down a party. Observations at parties include loud music, complaining neighbors, and trash in the yard. The majority (94%) believe that minors are getting alcohol from their friends. The results of these surveys were presented at a Campus-Community Coalition meeting on February 27, 2012. The CCC, in partnership with the Kittitas County Community Network Coalition, has been looking at the issue of underage drinking parties, to see if the data supports proposing a Social Host Ordinance to the Ellensburg City Council. Meetings have also been held with the Consequences Committee to continue the discussion among law enforcement, probation, and treatment and prevention professionals.
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CWU Wellness - Annual Report 2011-2012
Problem Gambling Awareness The Wellness Center received a $4,000 Youth Problem Gambling Awareness & the Arts Grant from the Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling. The grant, awarded in February 2012, is to promote awareness of problem gambling among college students and provide positive social messaging about the issue. This new program supports the Wellness Center’s mission to reduce high-risk behaviors related to alcohol misuse. National research demonstrates the correlation between problem gambling and alcohol misuse, but little has been done to raise awareness in the university community. We partnered with Dr. Rebecca Pearson, Assistant Professor in the Department of PE, School, & Public Health, in administering the research components of the grant. A survey was completed by 504 CWU students over the age of 18.
Most students who do gamble do it for the excitement or fun of it, as a social activity, and to make money.
5% of students surveyed feel that they have or have had a problem with gambling
74% of students do not have parents or relatives who gamble.
25% of students say they have friends with a gambling problem
37% of students surveyed do not gamble at all. The most common forms of gambling are cards/ board games, casino games, or lottery tickets.
Western Regional Gambling Awareness Conference Presentation
Lynne Harrison, project manager of the Wellness Center’s problem gambling awareness grant, presented a session on “Prevention on the College Campus” at the 5th annual Western Regional Conference on Problem Gambling Awareness 2012 in Vancouver, WA. Along with co-presenters Dr. Ty W. Lostutter, faculty/researcher, University of Washington and vice president of the board of the Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling, and Kate Sansom, former CWU Wellness Center peer health educator, they discussed research on college student problem gambling issues, CWU’s 2012 Youth Problem Gambling Awareness & the Arts Grant, and prevention work on college campuses.
Lynne Harrison presented at the Western Regional Conference on Problem Gambling Awareness, April 28, 2012
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CWU Wellness - Annual Report 2011-2012
Student Health 101 is a monthly internet magazine geared toward health concerns as seen through a student lens. Each month, in addition to premade content from the publisher, the Wellness Center provides custom content written by CWU students, both students who work in the WC and others recruited from throughout the campus. Examples of our work this academic year include tips on avoiding seasonal depression, an article on the rising popularity of prescription drugs, a personal narrative on addiction, tips on how to control your finances, and alternative beauty pointers, including suggestions of how to use olive oil and coconut oil to better the health of your skin. Through timely and well-written articles and effective marketing, SH101 continues to increase its readership. In April, we reached a peak of 19,751 total pages read and 1,623 unique sessions! This is an average of 12.17 pages read per person, a significant improvement over the average of 7.65 in September. Our total readership has also greatly improved, with 16,185 more page views and 1,158 more unique sessions than in September. From personal feedback that we have received, it seems that readers are learning from the content of the magazine. One reader commented that she “did not realize that you could get STIs from anal sex,” while another commented that he had “learned a lot about safe sex.” One student said he learned “how easy it is to be healthier,” while yet another said she “learned how to exercise in a more efficient manner.” From comments such as these, we can see firsthand that our work on the magazine is having an impact. Check it out yourself from the Wellness Center home page (www.cwu.edu/~wellness), or go directly to http:// readsh101.com/cwu.html. Or check out the SH101 Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/StudentHealth101.
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CWU Wellness - Annual Report 2011-2012
Photo Voice The National Social Norms Institute, located at the University of Virginia, provided the Wellness Center with a $32,000 grant to explore how to apply social norms theory to the prevention of high-risk student drinking. In collaboration with Dr. Becky Pearson and Dr. Jennifer Lehmbeck we developed Photo Voice- a qualitative research study that was designed to give students a voice in describing the continuum of drinking issues on campus. While we’ll have to wait to see if the program has a long-term impact, Photo Voice was an innovative an engaging prevention project. The basic goal of a social norms approach is to clarify normative behavior and nudge high-risk behaviors closer to the low risk norms. One comment from a student researcher represents what most students have told us –“Drinking is a part of my life as a college student, but it is not my life.” In addition a community member who hosted the art exhibit stated that after looking at the photographs her perception of college student drinking had changed. She acknowledged that most students don’t make high-risk choices, but those who do get most of the attention. You can view the photos and a film about Photo Voice by following this link. http://www.cwu.edu/wellness/photo-voice
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CWU Wellness - Annual Report 2011-2012
Look Up Reach Out
Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Risk Management – Look up reach out The primary prevention of mental health “problems” and suicide risk management has been a major priority for the Wellness Center for the past several years. The Look Up Reach Out campaign is focused on promoting social connections, stress management and skill building for assisting friends in need. In addition to the Look Up Reach Out marketing campaign, we had a very successful suicide risk management training session in spring quarter. Thirty students, mostly Resident Hall Advisors attended the session. Learning outcomes included having increased confidence about helping others who may be at risk and understanding the risk and protective factors associated with suicide.
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Rock Against Rape This year’s Rock Against Rape was one of the most successful ever. We estimated that at least 450 students and community members came to the event. We raised $250 from the Art Battle itself, to help fund future events and to be donated to ASPEN. Over 13 clubs and organizations from both the campus and the community involved themselves in the event. At the last minute we secured four bands that donated their talents and services to the cause. The evaluation results boasted the following statistics as a result of the event; 75% were very satisfied with the event. 41% strongly agreed to the statement; “as a result of this event, I have an increased level of empathy for victims/ survivors of sexual violence�. 80% said they either agreed, or more than agreed that they plan on talking to at least one person in their lives about the importance of the issue.
CWU Wellness - Annual Report 2011-2012
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CWU Wellness - Annual Report 2011-2012
Campus Dine and Tote Campus Dine and Tote stemmed from ideas similar to community food gatherings, like a community kitchen. Students come and cook with each other, and essentially eat their shared prepared food, all at no cost. To encourage students to partake in this program, this event offers things like, low overall food cost, learning new techniques in the kitchen, finding alternative ‘healthier’ cooking substitutions, and most importantly, having fun and socializing. Along with cooking, Dine and Tote has built in some educational pieces to this program, such as knowing the nutritional information for every entrée cooked. Students find this to be appealing. Future goals of the program include: attracting students who feel they are at risk of or experience food insecurity; getting less involved students and off-campus students to join; planning specific nights for students with specific dietary needs (vegetarian, gluten free, etc.); having at least one event for CWU employees; and continue to ensure financial sustainability. Things that I loved about the event: 1. Food we cooked was delicious and nutritious! It was “awesome.” 2. Broadened my cooking horizons- would never have cooked certain meals on my own 3. The event is fun, free, educational, and I get to bring home (free) leftovers!
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CWU Wellness - Annual Report 2011-2012
Love Glove Club Love Glove Club is our free “condom club� that provides students with male and female condoms, as well as lubricant, dental dams, and educational information. At the beginning of the 2011 school year Love Glove had less than 20 members and was a service for which students paid a small fee. The club now boasts 175 members on the list, not including walk-ins, and is free of charge. Although the program is not in its perfect operating state, the increase in numbers leads us to believe that when marketing safer sex products and campaigns, students are willing to listen and actively involve themselves in practicing safer sex with partners. Promotion of the club and services offered in the Wellness Center will continue during the 2012-2013 school year, but overall Love Glove has been a huge success.
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CWU Wellness - Annual Report 2011-2012
Aspen 5K Run The Wellness Center, in collaboration with University Recreation, held the first Annual 5K Route to Hope to benefit ASPEN. On Saturday, April 28, 2012 almost 100 participants showed up to run, walk, or roll their way through the 5K course that wound through downtown Ellensburg. Law and Justice and Sociology major Jessie Carlson spent the majority of her spring internship with the Wellness Center coordinating all the details of the event, from recruiting volunteers to helping design the commemorative shirt the participants received. University Recreation staff, Eric Scott and intern Samantha Potvin, were instrumental in setting up the route course and facilitating the process for registrations and payment. Feedback from participants was that this is an important cause to support, the course was well marked, and they enjoyed being a part of a new tradition. Almost $2,000 was raised for the domestic violence and sexual assault services ASPEN provides to our county, and the event is set to continue every year!
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CWU Wellness - Annual Report 2011-2012
Student Programs Peer 2 Peer is a collaborative effort between the CWU Law and Justice Club and the Wellness Center that is designed to help students navigate the student code of conduct and the legal system. The program operated as a pilot project in winter 2012 and expanded in spring quarter. Dozens of students benefitted from the bi-weekly information sessions in the SURC and a small number had individual meetings set up with the mentors. A comprehensive evaluation model is being developed to monitor the program’s effectiveness.
As part of the NCAA CHOICES grant the Wellness Center, in conjunction with RHA, sponsored a late night carnival for CWU students on the Saturday night before finals from 10 p.m.-1 a.m. Approximately 300- 350 students participated. The primary evaluation for this event was the change in alcohol incidences, which showed a decrease from 20 in 2011 to only 4 in 2012. That represents an 80% reduction in alcohol incidents in residence halls.
The Wellness Center spearheaded a phenomenally successful late night event over Halloween weekend. Thanks to peer health educators, the Residence Hall Association, Campus Life, Campus Recreation, Publicity Center, SURC Operations and 88.1 The Burg, we had a phenomenally successful event. Between 400 and 450 participated and the number of alcohol incidents in the residence halls for Halloween weekend was down 57% 2011 vs 2010.
Campus Dine and Tote is a collaboration between Wellness and Dr. Becky Pearson in the School of Public Health. Dr. Pearson has an extensive interest in community kitchens and food insecurity issues. Campus Dine and Tote provides students with an occasion to socialize and learn about low cost and nutritious meals. Significantly, it also teaches students a variety of necessary skills for the kitchen. The program supports the Wellness strategic plan by providing an alcohol free event and an opportunity for social connection. The pilot project was facilitated in February 2012 and expanded to two events in spring quarter. A total of 62 students participated in the 3 events. The food costs, covered by the Wellness Center, was a grand total of $344 or $5.55 per student.
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CWU Wellness - Annual Report 2011-2012
Research Corner During spring 2012 we implemented the American College Health Association, National College Health Assessment (ACHA). As the data below suggests, our focus on mental health promotion is supported by the evidence!
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CWU Wellness - Annual Report 2011-2012
Research Corner (Continued) Sexual violence is an issue that is challenging to get exact data on. Researchers have different definitions but all are in agreement that it is the most underreported crime of all. The CWU Safety Survey conducted in 2009 revealed a disturbing statistic; 1 in 3 women and 1 in 7 men experienced an unwanted sexual experience. Unwanted is not the same as regrettable! Unwanted is non-consensual.
The ACHA survey breaks down sexual violence into more traditional definitions.
Despite the decriminalization of marijuana use in some counties in the state and the very public debate about legalization, the number of CWU students who have never used marijuana stays above levels from the early 2000’s and are higher than the national norm.
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CWU Wellness - Annual Report 2011-2012
Research Corner (Continued) Heavy episodic drinking is defined as a pattern of drinking that results in a BAC of .08 or greater in 2 hours or less. This is typically about 5 drinks. As the chart below indicates, the heavy episodic drinking rate at CWU is about the lowest it has been in the past decade and lower than the national norm.
Our collaboration with Dr. Pearson in the School of Public Health allowed us to become aware of a heath issue that had not been previously identified. As the chart below indicates, 36% CWU of students experience “food insecurity” at least once a week or more.
The ACHA also asks students about their perceptions of safety on campus and in the surrounding community. As you can see from the chart below, there is a discrepancy between student’s sense of safety on and off campus and during day and night time. This issue will be one to explore in more detail with other stakeholders on campus and in the city.