Company Recognizes UA’s Efforts to Prevent High-Risk Alcohol Consumption on Campus

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Outside the Classroom, a Boston-based company that helps education, corporate and government institutions battle high-risk drinking and other health problems, has recognized The University of Alabama’s alcohol prevention efforts with a Prevention Excellence Award.

Outside the Classroom Inc. recognized UA’s efforts to provide education, programs and services as part of its overall alcohol prevention education initiatives. Those efforts include AlcoholEdu for College, a Web-based alcohol prevention program that is required of all incoming freshmen.

The program, recognized nationally for its effectiveness, uses the latest prevention techniques and science-based research to educate students about the impact of alcohol. AlcoholEdu is a program administered by UA’s Department of Health Promotion and Wellness at the Student Health Center.

“The recipients’ efforts included a variety of strategies,” according to an Outside the Classroom press release. “The recipients also created policy initiatives, peer education programs and events that underscore the importance of safe behaviors. These initiatives were supported with communication to faculty, parents and community members, as well as evaluation to ensure the programs are impacting students and their behaviors.”

“At UA, all our efforts in student health and wellbeing are planned around the three-pronged approach set by President Robert E. Witt — education, environment and enforcement,” says Dr. Margaret Garner, associate professor of the department of family medicine. “Collaboration and cooperation among many departments in Student Affairs, Financial Affairs, Academic Affairs and the Student Government Association have made this recognition possible.”

Nationally, alcohol is the greatest public health problem facing colleges and universities. UA has responded proactively to address alcohol from a preventive education perspective and actively engage the campus in deliberations and programs to promote safety and wellbeing among our students.

“Challenging the future and changing the culture for healthier lifestyles for our students is a top priority because it supports our students’ dreams for personal and academic success,” Garner says.

Outside the Classroom chose UA along with nine other institutions or Greek organizations on the basis of implementation practices, communication, evaluation, programmatic linkages and organizational linkages. The applications were evaluated by an independent panel of experts in the prevention field and were distributed in a ceremony in March.

The College of Community Health Sciences operates a comprehensive, state-of-the-art medical clinic, University Medical Center, where College faculty members conduct their medical practices and where students and residents receive clinical experience and training. The College’s research component supports faculty and student research efforts, including clinical trials.