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By Nneka Nwosu
October 26, 2006
College campuses throughout the country have the same problem…binge drinking. Experts say most students are clueless to the damage excess alcohol does to their bodies.
"It's amazing to me going into residence halls and classrooms and presenting programs or any health issue what our college students truly don't know," said Shelly VanSlyke of SUNY Oswego Health.
So when VanSlyke learned the State University of New York would fund an alcohol education course, she jumped on it. Every freshman at SUNY Oswego completed the online class Alcohol E-D-U.
The three hour tutorial asks students about their drinking habits and creates different programs based on whether the person is a frequent, moderate, or non drinker. All responses are confidential, and students must earn a C-minus or higher on the final exam to pass the course.
"It had a lot of statistics and stuff that I wouldn't have known if I didn't take it," said freshman Bryan Westling.
According to the US department of health and human services, 30% of college age adults binge drink at least once every month. Binge drinking is defined as consuming 5 drinks at a time for men and 4 at a time for women.
Freshman Shylene Harris said "It scared me, I don't want to drink at all, not even for fun not even a little bit."
Some students felt the material in Alcohol E-D-U was important, but didn't think the course was necessary.
"For the students who actually keep their drinking at a minimum, like for me I don't drink, it was just a waste of my time," said freshman Chrissy Pallesteros.
But VanSlyke said, "Even if they're talking about how they don't like it, they're talking about it. So for me, it gives me an idea that they're talking about it, it's sticking in their minds, it's being useful to them in some capacity."
Like it or not, the University's next class of freshman will take the course before starting school next fall.
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