Mandatory Alcohol Edu: A Repeat Course For Ku Students

The University of Kansas has a mandatory alcohol education policy for all new students under the age of 21 as of August 1 of the academic year. The policy consists of two parts, with both parts needing to be completed to avoid an enrolment hold being placed on the student's record. The course, AlcoholEdu for College, is an online, science-based program that provides the latest information about alcohol and its effects on the body and mind. The program is personalized to each student based on their previous alcohol education and choices regarding alcohol.

AlcoholEdu for College: an online, science-based program

The University of Kansas (KU) requires all newly enrolled, degree-seeking students on the Lawrence campus under the age of 21 as of August 1 to complete an online alcohol education course called AlcoholEdu for College. This is a science-based program that provides the latest information about alcohol and its effects on the body and mind. The course is personalized to each student based on their previous alcohol education and choices regarding alcohol.

AlcoholEdu for College includes several chapters of content, interactive exercises, and assessments of alcohol-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. The course will empower students to make well-informed decisions about their drinking and help them to better understand and cope with the drinking behavior of their peers. Research has shown that students who completed AlcoholEdu experienced a 50% reduction in negative academic and personal consequences.

To complete AlcoholEdu, a computer with internet access and audio capabilities is needed. Closed captioning is also available. Students without a personal computer can use any publicly available computer with internet access at computer lab locations on campus. The course is accessible via the student's KU Canvas account and detailed information about the course will be sent to the student's KU email account. For best results in accessing the course, Chrome or Firefox is preferred over Internet Explorer or other web browsers.

Students can feel confident that their survey responses are strictly confidential. KU will only receive information about the student body as a whole and will never see individual student answers. Failure to complete the two parts of the AlcoholEdu program will result in a hold on the student's account, prohibiting enrollment for future semesters until the mandatory alcohol education program is completed.

Personalised content: based on previous alcohol education

The AlcoholEdu program at KU is an online, science-based program that provides the latest information about alcohol and its effects on the body and mind. The program is tailored to each student based on their previous alcohol education and choices regarding alcohol. The course includes several chapters of content, interactive exercises, and assessments of alcohol-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors.

The course is designed to empower students to make well-informed decisions about their alcohol consumption and help them better understand and cope with the drinking behaviour of their peers. It covers topics such as the effects of alcohol on the brain and body, risk awareness, and strategies to minimize alcohol-related harm.

The course takes into account the student's specific drinking status and gender. For example, students who report high-risk drinking will receive feedback using national statistics to correct any misperceptions about this behaviour. The course also includes a baseline survey to assess the student's prior knowledge and experiences with alcohol, as well as their attitudes and beliefs about alcohol use.

The course is accessible via the KU Canvas account, and students are encouraged to use Chrome or Firefox for the best results. All survey responses are strictly confidential, and KU will only receive information about the student body as a whole, never seeing individual student answers. This ensures that students can provide truthful answers without any risk of repercussions.

Interactive exercises: to assess alcohol-related knowledge

The University of Kansas (KU) has a mandatory alcohol education policy for its students. The AlcoholEdu for College programme is an online, science-based programme that provides the latest information about alcohol and its effects on the body and mind. The programme includes interactive exercises and assessments of alcohol-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviours.

True or False

Create a list of statements about alcohol and its effects, and ask students to indicate whether each statement is true or false. For example:

• Drinking alcohol can affect your coordination and balance. (True)
• Alcohol is a depressant that slows down the body's systems. (True)
• Mixing alcohol with energy drinks can reduce the feeling of drunkenness. (False)
• It is safe to drive after having one or two drinks. (False)

Multiple Choice

Provide a scenario or a question and ask students to select the correct answer from a list of options. For instance:

Question: How many standard drinks are there in a 12-ounce can of beer?

Answers:

• A) 0.5
• B) 1.0
• C) 1.5
• D) 2.0

Matching

Create a list of terms related to alcohol and its effects, and provide a list of definitions. Ask students to match each term with its correct definition. Terms might include:

• Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)
• Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)
• Standard Drink
• Blackout

Fill in the Blank

Provide a paragraph or sentence with blanks that students need to fill in with the correct word or phrase. For example:

• Alcohol is a , which means it slows down the body's systems.
• When you drink, alcohol affects your coordination, balance, and judgement skills.

Word Search or Crossword Puzzle

Create a word search or crossword puzzle using key terms related to alcohol education. This can help reinforce vocabulary and knowledge about alcohol.

These interactive exercises can be tailored to different levels of difficulty and can be used to assess students' knowledge and understanding of alcohol-related topics. They can also be combined with other educational tools, such as videos, group discussions, and personal reflections, to provide a comprehensive alcohol education programme.

Student confidentiality: KU won't see individual answers

The University of Kansas is committed to health and safety and has made it mandatory for all newly enrolled, degree-seeking students on the Lawrence campus under the age of 21 as of August 1st of the academic year to complete an online alcohol education course. The course, AlcoholEdu for College, is an online, science-based program that provides the latest information about alcohol and its effects on the body and mind. The program is personalized to each student based on their previous alcohol education and choices regarding alcohol. It includes several chapters of content, interactive exercises, and assessments of alcohol-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors.

While the course is mandatory, KU respects student confidentiality. All survey responses are strictly confidential, and KU will only receive information about the student body as a whole. The university will never see individual student answers. Students can feel confident that providing truthful answers, no matter what they are, will not put them at any risk for repercussions. This means that students can answer all questions truthfully and without fear, allowing them to get the most out of the course and make well-informed decisions about their alcohol use.

The AlcoholEdu program is accessible via a KU Canvas account. For Spring 2025 students, access to the course begins on January 21. Detailed information about the course will be sent via email to the student's assigned KU email account when the course is available. For best results in accessing the course, Chrome or Firefox is preferred over Internet Explorer or other web browsers.

If a student does not have a computer, they can use any publicly available computer with internet access at computer lab locations on campus. It is important to note that failure to complete the two parts of the AlcoholEdu program will result in an enrollment hold on the student's record, prohibiting enrollment for future semesters until the mandatory alcohol education program is completed.

Technical issues: contact Vector Solutions for support

If you encounter technical difficulties while completing the AlcoholEdu program, you can contact Vector Solutions for support. Vector Solutions can be reached via email at support.education@vectorsolutions.com. They will be able to assist you in resolving any technical issues you may experience with the course.

It is important to have access to a computer with internet access and audio capabilities to complete the AlcoholEdu program. If you do not have a personal computer, you can use any publicly available computer with internet access at computer lab locations on campus. KU recommends using Chrome or Firefox for the best results in accessing the course.

AlcoholEdu for College is an online, science-based program that provides students with the latest information about alcohol and its effects on the body and mind. The program is personalized to each student based on their previous alcohol education and choices regarding alcohol. It includes several chapters of content, interactive exercises, and assessments of alcohol-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors.

Completing the AlcoholEdu program will empower students to make well-informed decisions about their alcohol consumption and help them cope with the drinking behavior of their peers. Research has shown that students who completed AlcoholEdu experienced a significant improvement in knowledge and a reduction in negative academic and personal consequences.

Frequently asked questions