The Virginia Commonwealth University’s Clicker Enhanced Social Norms Marketing program began in 2005 with the goal of reducing high-risk drinking and related harm. At the heart of this program is the recognition that presenting students with accurate information about their peers’ alcohol use reinforces healthy behaviors.

The social norms marketing campaign is improved through alcohol education sessions utilizing clicker technology. In the sessions, students use hand-held wireless devices that transmit personal responses to questions asked, and their responses are instantly displayed as graphs. This immediate feedback shows students the gap between their perception and the reality of actual alcohol use on campus. 

These sessions challenge participants to observe healthy behaviors rather than the unhealthy behaviors that often seem more visible. Data have demonstrated that students who participate in the clicker sessions have more accurate perceptions of normative alcohol use than those who do not attend a session and are more likely to limit their alcohol use. 

Because the program proved to have such positive impact on the decision‐making development of students, ACHA awarded it the Best Practices in College Health Award in the category of Health Education and Promotion Services in 2010. The success of the program spurred VCU’s Wellness Resource Center to explore a variety of other misperceptions and how these can be addressed in a similar fashion.

This fall,  through real-time clicker feedback, 1,867 incoming students were able to see that while most of them perceived that only 30% of Americans support LGBT people in being who they are, their own responses revealed that 89% of those freshman support LGBT people in being who they are.

Knowing the difference in perception versus reality is very useful, to both college health professionals and students, and that’s why we at VCU love our clickers. Anyone have other questions they have found helpful in making their campus healthier?

By: Lorri Castro-Zenoni
ACHA Wellness Needs of Military Students Coalition Chair  

The Government shutdown has different effects on our student populations. But how does it impact our military and veteran students on our college campuses? 

Here is a link to a Veterans Field Guide to the Government Shutdown created by the Veterans Association (VA). It was last updated on October 7, 2013. As it may change daily, please continue to review the document.

Almost all branches of the military have suspended their tuition assistance (TA) programs. Students can still use TA if already approved for this semester, but most new applications will not be approved until funds are appropriated. The VA is continuing to process and issue payments for education claims, though payments to students may be slow. The VA should continue to pay until they are out of funds, and the length of the shutdown will determine how long the money will last.

Please visit these individual sites for specific information related to each branch.

Air Force (log in by Air Force Personnel required)
Army
Coast Guard
Marines
Navy
Military Spouses

For those campuses that have a VetSuccess program, your representative has most likely been furloughed (effective October 8) and will remain furloughed until funds have been appropriated. Those students utilizing the GI Bill will find the hotline non-operational and the website not up to date. Vocational Rehabilitation counselors have also been furloughed, so many of our students with disability ratings are left with questions that cannot be answered.

As it is uncertain how long this government shutdown will persist, it is important that our campuses and counseling and student health clinics prepare to support our military and veteran students. Many of them rely on their GI Bill for more than tuition; it also pays for housing and food allowances. Inform your staff and learn as much as you can. Many of the Veteran Center employees that these students rely on for answers may not be available. It is up to all of us to help our military and veteran students in this time of need.