The alcohol education tutorial incoming students are required to complete received a major upgrade this semester.
“Think About It” is the name of UF’s new online education module, which now includes training on a broader range of safety issues — such as sexual harassment, dating violence and stalking — rather than focusing specifically on drinking.
Chris Loschiavo, deputy title IX coordinator for students, said recent cases of violence against women have led the UF Dean of Students Office to focus on prevention.
The office started researching new educational programs focused on prevention about a year ago. This particular program, distributed by CampusClarity, collects student survey responses anonymously and allows the university to compare itself to other colleges nationwide.
“We’re working really hard here to be a model campus,” Loschiavo said.
Unlike the alcohol education module, “Think About It” includes more videos and interactive material.
“The data shows that students actually change behavior based on what they learned in the module,” said Jen Day Shaw, the UF associate vice president and dean of students.
The annual cost for the program is $32,250, which comes from the Division of Student Affairs budget, said Kim Pace, the assistant vice president for Student Affairs, in an email.
Elaine Khoo, a 21-year-old public relations senior, said she doesn’t remember most of the information from the alcohol education module she completed her freshman year, but she likes that UF has broadened the scope of topics for the new module.
“I think it’s a good idea that UF is taking a stand,” Khoo said.
[A version of this story ran on page 5 on 7/14/15]
