Assessment Details
Academic Year: 2020-2021 Level: Undergraduate
Campus Department: Student Affairs [UG and Grad]
Program Type: Co-Curricular Program [UG and Grad]
Program Name: Alcohol Screening Events
Description of Data Collection:
Alcohol Screening Events were last assessed in 2018-2019. During the 2018-2019 academic year, our office conducted five alcohol screening day events. Students who completed the screening event were given the option to complete a short, 10-question survey for the change to enter into a raffle. The post-survey was created through Campus Labs and asked ten multiple choice questions. To keep confidentiality, students completed the survey and later had the option of entering the raffle. We measured the following: extent to which the alcohol screening provided an opportunity for students to reflect on their current use or non-use of alcohol; level of readiness to make changes to alcohol use as a result of participating (“I am thinking about drinking alcohol in a healthier and safer way” or “I am ready to try drinking alcohol in a healthier and safer way”); likelihood of utilizing at least one or more harm-reduction strategies if/when they go out drinking in the future, as a result of participating (strategies included: keeping track by counting drinks, spacing drinks over time, using BAC card they received during event, mixing and measure their own drinks, etc.); Students’ success in implementing behavior changes as a result of participating (behavioral outcomes included: setting a limit and counting drinks, avoiding shots, consuming more water throughout the night, space drinks, etc.).
Review Process:
During the 2018-2019 academic year, data was collected and captured via Campus Labs and the Assistant Director of OHP/ADE and staff collected and analyzed the data. An assessment report with recommendations was written in the summer of 2019.
Resulting Program Changes:
Given the positive findings of this study, some changes were made to the program during 2018-2019. Conversation partners (CP’s) were interviewed, hired, and trained to have conversations with students during the event. CP’s were recruited from graduate level programs at Boston College (e.g. Higher Education, Mental Health Counseling, Social Work).Other logistical improvements included having only conversation partners “score” surveys (to avoid discomfort of having RD’s or peers know their scores), ensure “recruiters” are clear about what participation entails (for examples they will have to have a brief follow up conversation with staff member after completing survey), check in to make sure students are comfortable with the conversation partner they are assigned (if they prefer not to talk with their RD, conduct officer, or psychologist, etc.).
Results from the 2018-2019 survey indicated the following: In total, 358 students participated in five alcohol screenings held throughout the 2018-2019 academic year. As a result of completing the AUDIT, 213 students were identified as low-risk drinkers, 115 were identified as at risk/moderate risk, 10 were identified as high risk, and 4 were identified as having possible dependence. 130 students (n=130) participated in an online survey, emailed to them 1-2 weeks after the screening event to be able to enter a raffle for a prize. Survey results indicate that 11% of respondents felt the alcohol screening event allowed them to reflect on their alcohol use or non-use “To a great extent,” 68% “Somewhat,” 17% “Very little,” and 4% “Not at all.” As a result of participating, 65% of respondents see no need to change the way they drink, 27% are thinking about drinking alcohol in a healthier way, and 5% are ready to try drinking alcohol in a healthier way. Respondents reported being most likely to use the following low-risk drinking strategies when going out drinking in the future: determine, in advance, a drinking limit at or near your green zone BAC, eat before and while drinking, keep track of how much you drink by counting standard drinks, and space your drinks over time. The most common resources students learned about as a result of participating in a screening include Alcohol and Drug Education and University Counseling Services.
Due to COVID-19 Alcohol Screening Events were discontinued in 2019-2020 and replaced by an online screening tool, the AUDIT, administered in every mandated ChooseWell 1:1 conversation and housed on OHP’s website for voluntary use, including referrals to further treatment. Further assessment is needed to determine the efficacy of this online format.
The Alcohol and Drug Education Program conducted evaluations on all of their programs in 2018-2019.
Due to COVID-19 Alcohol Screening Events were discontinued in 2019-2020 and replaced by an online screening tool, the AUDIT, administered in every mandated ChooseWell 1:1 conversation and housed on OHP’s website for voluntary use, including referrals to further treatment. Further assessment is needed to determine the efficacy of this online format.
Date of Most Recent Program Review:
Given the positive findings of this study, some changes were made to the program during 2018-2019. Conversation partners (CP’s) were interviewed, hired, and trained to have conversations with students during the event. CP’s were recruited from graduate level programs at Boston College (e.g. Higher Education, Mental Health Counseling, Social Work).Other logistical improvements included having only conversation partners “score” surveys (to avoid discomfort of having RD’s or peers know their scores), ensure “recruiters” are clear about what participation entails (for examples they will have to have a brief follow up conversation with staff member after completing survey), check in to make sure students are comfortable with the conversation partner they are assigned (if they prefer not to talk with their RD, conduct officer, or psychologist, etc.).
Results from the 2018-2019 survey indicated the following: In total, 358 students participated in five alcohol screenings held throughout the 2018-2019 academic year. As a result of completing the AUDIT, 213 students were identified as low-risk drinkers, 115 were identified as at risk/moderate risk, 10 were identified as high risk, and 4 were identified as having possible dependence. 130 students (n=130) participated in an online survey, emailed to them 1-2 weeks after the screening event to be able to enter a raffle for a prize. Survey results indicate that 11% of respondents felt the alcohol screening event allowed them to reflect on their alcohol use or non-use “To a great extent,” 68% “Somewhat,” 17% “Very little,” and 4% “Not at all.” As a result of participating, 65% of respondents see no need to change the way they drink, 27% are thinking about drinking alcohol in a healthier way, and 5% are ready to try drinking alcohol in a healthier way. Respondents reported being most likely to use the following low-risk drinking strategies when going out drinking in the future: determine, in advance, a drinking limit at or near your green zone BAC, eat before and while drinking, keep track of how much you drink by counting standard drinks, and space your drinks over time. The most common resources students learned about as a result of participating in a screening include Alcohol and Drug Education and University Counseling Services.
Due to COVID-19 Alcohol Screening Events were discontinued in 2019-2020 and replaced by an online screening tool, the AUDIT, administered in every mandated ChooseWell 1:1 conversation and housed on OHP’s website for voluntary use, including referrals to further treatment. Further assessment is needed to determine the efficacy of this online format.
The Alcohol and Drug Education Program conducted evaluations on all of their programs in 2018-2019.
Due to COVID-19 Alcohol Screening Events were discontinued in 2019-2020 and replaced by an online screening tool, the AUDIT, administered in every mandated ChooseWell 1:1 conversation and housed on OHP’s website for voluntary use, including referrals to further treatment. Further assessment is needed to determine the efficacy of this online format.
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