Using Data to Define a New Strategy

HOW ONE CAMPUS USED THE CAMPUS DIAGNOSTIC TO GARNER SUPPORT FOR EFFECTIVE PREVENTION

At Kappa University*, the associate dean of students had been struggling to make major progress addressing high-risk drinking on his campus, due partly to a lack of clear strategy. There was also a general sense that the campus was “doing enough” with regard to its alcohol prevention programming.

The associate dean completed the Campus Diagnostic and received his results, which recommended that the institution consider discontinuing Alcohol Awareness Week from their prevention programming due to lack of research-supported efficacy. The dean then scheduled a consultation with a member of the Outside The Classroom team to discuss improving his campus’ score, which was lower than expected. Together, they examined Kappa University’s AlcoholEdu data and found two interesting trends:  a significant percentage of students were drinking in residence halls, and students generally disregarded alcohol policies due to the lack of consistent enforcement and adjudication.

This new insight inspired the associate dean to undertake a policy review and create a plan for ramping up enforcement efforts in the residence halls, including providing more RA training, a strategy supported by the research literature. The feedback provided in the Campus Diagnostic report served as an effective catalyst for re-examining campus data, spotting key behavioral trends, and reallocating resources to build a more effective strategy. With this new information, the dean felt empowered to step up and propose a new plan.

*pseudonymed university