Biennial Report Introduction
H.R.3614 Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989; Part 86, the Drug-Free Schools and Campuses Regulations, requires that, as a condition of receiving funds or any other form of financial assistance under any federal program, an Institution of Higher Education (IHE) must certify that it has adopted and implemented a program to prevent the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees.
In order to certify its compliance with the regulations, an IHE must adopt and implement a drug prevention program to prevent the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by all students and employees both on school premises and as part of any of its activities. Creating a program that complies with the regulations requires an IHE to do the following:
- Prepare a written policy on alcohol and other drugs.
- Develop a sound method for distribution of the policy to every student and IHE staff member each year.
- Prepare a biennial review report on the effectiveness of its alcohol and other drug (AOD) programs and the consistency of policy enforcement.
- Maintain its biennial review report on file, so that, if requested to do so by the U.S. Department of Education, the campus can submit it.
Procedures for Distributing Annual AOD Notification to Students and Employees Section:
STUDENT NOTIFICATION:
Annual Student Notification of students, including new students (full-time and part-time), returning students and student employees and all students registered to attend SUNY Brockport is fulfilled by a mass email to all students at the beginning of each semester of the DFSCA policy and the Code of Student Conduct. This student email contains the following information:
Drug-free Schools and Community Act (DFSCA) Policy is available on the University-wide Policies web page and provides all students with the DFSCA annual notification of the following:
- Standards of conduct prohibiting the unlawful possession, use or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol, and the disciplinary sanctions the University may impose for violations of laws and standards of conduct either on or off campus, are contained in the Code of Student Conduct.
- The health risks associated with the use of illicit drugs and alcohol abuse can be obtained by visiting Hazen Center for Integrated Care which includes the Health Center, Counseling Center, and Prevention and Outreach Services.
- For personal health information about the effects of alcohol use and abuse on the body, refer to the webpage on College Drinking Prevention - Alcohol and You. For a comprehensive list of health and social consequences of alcohol misuse among college students, refer to the webpage on College Drinking Prevention - Consequences.
- The legal sanctions imposed by local, state and federal laws for the illegal possession and/or distribution of illicit drugs or alcohol can be found on the New York State Law website, refer to NYS Penal Law Section 220.00 – 221.55 and in the University’s Campus Safety Report (Clery Act report).
- For information on illicit drug use and abuse, refer to the National Institute on Drug Abuse website.
- To learn about AOD screening and counseling at Hazen Center for Integrated Care, Counseling Center, stop in to Hazen Hall or call (585) 395-2414 for an appointment.
- The Biennial Review Report is available on the University-wide Policies webpage and at the Office of the Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, 7th floor of Allen Administration Building. This report contains a comprehensive analysis of the University’s alcohol and drug prevention program, including information on policy and enforcement.
Hazen Center for Integrated Care, which includes the Health Center, Counseling Center, and Prevention and Outreach Services (POS) is charged with the educating students on the use/misuse of alcohol and other drugs (AOD) and harm reduction strategies to reduce negative consequences. Hazen Health Center and Counseling Center screen students for AOD use and subsequent consequences related to use/misuse and provides ongoing education and prevention programs. Information and resources specific to Brockport students can be found at the Couseling Center webpage. Further information about substance use and abuse can be found at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services webpage .
EMPLOYEE NOTIFICATION:
To fulfill the annual employee notification, Human Resources sends a mass email at the beginning of the academic year to all employees which includes the Drug and Alcohol Use in the Workplace Policy and the DFSCA policy.
EMPLOYEE AOD POLICY: EDUCATION AND RESPONSE
The Human Resources department enforces the workplace drug and alcohol policy and works closely with supervisors, campus leaders, unions and bargaining units to address violations of the workplace policy. The University provides support for employees through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which is available for any employee that may be experiencing alcohol and/or substance use issues. More information on the EAP can be found at the EAP Webpage.
STUDENTS AOD POLICY, EDUCATION, RESPONSE AND SUPPORT SECTION:
Education for New Students:
SUNY Brockport is dedicated to establishing, implementing, and sustaining programs that are effective in preventing high-risk drinking and substance abuse.
Mandatory Online Education for New Students and New Student Athletes:
Since 2015 all new students (first-year and transfers), and student athletes have been required to complete two online education modules on the EVERFI platform.
The overall purpose of this mandate is to provide students with the knowledge to make informed decisions concerning relationships, consent for sexual activity, alcohol and other drug use, university policies on alcohol and drugs, sexual misconduct and gender-based misconduct and how to report an incident of sexual assault, dating violence or stalking to the university. Students are also provided Brockport-specific resources for seeking help with alcohol and/or other drug use concerns.
For all new students this involves completing two modules, Alcohol EDU and Sexual Assault Prevention for Undergraduate Students prior to arrival on campus or the first day of classes. For new student athletes, there is an additional Sexual Assault Prevention module for Student Athletes. For student employees, the Sexual Assault Prevention Ongoing, an abbreviated module is required on an annual basis. Each module takes students approximately 1.5 to 2 hours to complete and maintains students’ interest with videos, realistic scenarios, and game-like activities that test knowledge on college health and social issues. EVERFI expanded the library of modules to include a module for non-traditional aged students and an AlcoholEDU module for alcohol sanctions.
AlcoholEDU module content includes:
- Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) information and self-assessment exercises.
- Gender-based implications for women and alcohol metabolism.
- How to detect alcohol poisoning and what to do
- Drinking and university culture provides an overview of social norms and dispels myths and assumptions that all students engage in binge drinking.
- Statistics on sexual assault, alcohol and consent.
- Overview of the different types of drugs (Marijuana, prescription drugs, psychedelics, heroin, etc.)
- Facts about the drugs (interactive section with knowledge based questions)
- Effects of drugs on the body
- Bystander intervention and how to help a friend.
The AlcoholEDU module effectiveness is reviewed on an annual basis utilizing the AlcoholEDU Impact Report and analyzing the AlcoholEDU pre and post survey results. SUNY Brockport reports an 88% compliance rate with completion of Alcohol EDU Part I and Part II. Part I is the educational module which nearly 95% of students completed and Part II is the post survey that some students did not complete.
For the academic year 2020-2021, the following data demonstrates the effectiveness of requiring new students (n=~1,800) to complete the AlcoholEDU module:
- 93% of students reported the module prepared them to make responsible decisions about drinking;
- 100% of students reported the module prepared them to help someone who may have alcohol poisoning;
- 98% of students reported the module prepared them to prevent an alcohol overdose;
- 93% of students reported the module prepared them to support a friend/peer who may have an AOD problem;
- 93% of students reported the module prepared them to support someone’s decision not to drink or use drugs;
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70% of students responded that their drinking-related behavior will change and the majority reported that they will utilize harm reduction strategies within the next 30 days including:
- 82% of students reported they will alternate non-alcoholic beverages with alcoholic drinks;
- 80% of students reported they will pace their drinks to 1 or fewer per hour;
- 75% of students reported they will reduce the number of drinks each time they drink;
- 83% of students reported they will set a limit on how many drinks they will have; and
- 74% of students reported they will reduce the number of times they drink per week.
- During the past year, 61% of students reported consuming alcohol and 39% of students reported they did not consume alcohol;
- As a result of taking AlcoholEDU, 63% of students responded that their perception of their peers drinking-related behavior will change; and
- 2% (35 students) reported being in active recovery.
EDUCATIONAL RESPONSE TO STUDENT VIOLATIONS OF THE CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT:
The following provides an overview of AOD Workshops for Violations of the Code of Student Conduct.
Alcohol and Other Drug Policies are contained in the Code of Student Conduct .
The Prevention and Outreach Services and the Student Conduct office work collaboratively with students that have been found responsible for alcohol and other drug violations. Utilizing harm reduction models, education, and best practices, a tiered system is followed in order to intervene with students using/abusing alcohol and other drugs. The sanction process is outlined below.
ALCOHOL EDUCATION WORKSHOP
This protocol is intended as a guideline for conduct decisions regarding the minimum sanctions and interventions which shall be imposed for student alcohol and marijuana violations. Sanctions may accelerate based on the progression, severity, or frequency of the violation, particularly when sale or distribution of alcohol or other drugs, or threatening, violent, and/or destructive behavior is present. Accelerated sanctions may include removal from campus housing, suspension, or expulsion. Criminal prosecution may also occur in cases that rise to the level of a crime. Violations accrue over the course of a student’s entire matriculation period. Violations accrue over the course of a student’s entire matriculation period. Once a student commits a Tier II violation, any future violations within a year of the date of the first will be considered Tier II, even if the violation is Tier I. If a full year passes without incident, then a Tier I violation will be considered as such.
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Describe University Policies, NYS laws, and village ordinances about alcohol and substance use, parties, and bystander interventions
- Identify and discuss low, moderate, and high risk drinking situations and what to do in those situations.
- Describe campus norms and how alcohol and substance use can affect the community.
- Articulate personal, academic and/or career goals and personal values and describe how their alcohol use may impact those goals and values.
Alcohol Education workshop: Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Tier 1 alcohol education workshop was moved from in-person delivery to an online education module provided by 3rd Millenium – Under the Influence.
Under the Influence alcohol intervention is geared toward individuals with high-risk drinking or campus alcohol violations, such as underage drinking or public intoxication. The course includes 6 lessons on key issues such as effects on health, drinking and driving, state-specific laws, and alcohol/prescription interactions. Utilizing the eCHECKUP TO GO brief intervention for alcohol, this course also includes a 30-day follow-up to measure changes in students’ attitudes and behavior. Students receive a confidential drinking profile that summarizes personal drinking-related problems, compares drinking habits with social norms, challenges personal expectations, and provides a range of non-drinking strategies.
Tier 1:
Offenses included in this tier:
- Consumption under twenty-one (21) years of age;
- Possession under twenty-one (21) years of age;
- Open container;
- Purchase of alcoholic beverages by any persons less than twenty-one (21) years of age;
- Possession of alcohol paraphernalia; and
- Public intoxication, regardless of age (may be Tier 2 if this involves other behaviors; i.e. vomiting in hall, vandalism while intoxicated, causing disruption to the residence hall floor)
In planning for Tier 1 education after the end of the pandemic, SUNY Brockport will continue to use the online psychoeducation option rather than return to in-person delivery.
Tier 2:
Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students (BASICS) (2 session model).
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Meet with POS staff member (BASICS survey not yet taken)
- Build rapport, talk about drinking habits, harm reduction, next steps;
- Explain BASICS software, review of questions, complete by next meeting; and
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Take AUDIT survey (after first session).
- Meet with POS staff member within 2 weeks to review survey and next steps.
If a student scores 12 or higher on the AUDIT they make their second appointment with the AOD counselor.
Offenses included in this tier:
- Consumption under twenty-one (21) years of age;
- Possession under twenty-one (21) years of age;
- Possession of alcohol paraphernalia;
- Public intoxication, regardless of age;
- Alcohol transport (1st time, may be Tier 3 if considerably high BAC or intoxication was serious concern for health); and
- Distribution to someone under twenty-one (21) years of age.
Tier 3:
Appointment with AOD counselor. Automatic AOD appointments include:
- DWI;
- Second AOD transport; and
- Anyone that has received a new sanction but has previously attended a Tier 2 sanction.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020-2021 BASICS sessions and required meetings with the AOD counselor were conducted remotely via Microsoft Teams and/or Zoom.
MARIJUANA EDUCATION WORKSHOP
This protocol is intended as a guideline for conduct decisions regarding the minimum sanctions and interventions which shall be imposed for student alcohol and marijuana violations. Sanctions may accelerate based on the progression, severity, or frequency of the violation, particularly when sale or distribution of alcohol or other drugs, or threatening, violent, and/or destructive behavior is present. Accelerated sanctions may include removal from campus housing, suspension, or expulsion. Criminal prosecution may also occur in cases that rise to the level of a crime. Violations accrue over the course of a student’s entire matriculation period. Violations accrue over the course of a student’s entire matriculation period. Once a student commits a Tier II violation, any future violations within a year of the date of the first will be considered Tier II, even if the violation is Tier I. If a full year passes without incident, then a Tier I violation will be considered as such.
Student Learning outcomes:
- Describe University Policies and NYS laws about marijuana.
- Identify and discuss low, moderate, and high risk marijuana use situations and what to do in those situations. (this one is up for debate, still being developed)
- Describe campus norms and how marijuana use can affect the community.
- Articulate personal, academic and/or career goals and personal values and describe how their marijuana use may impact those goals and values.
Tier 1:
Marijuana Education Workshop
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020-2021 marijuana education workshop for Tier 1 conduct offenses was moved from in-person delivery to an online education module provided by 3rd Millennium - Marijuana 101.
Offenses included in this Tier include:
- Possession of marijuana and/or marijuana paraphernalia
- Issued a ticket by police for Unlawful Possession of Marijuana
Marijuana 101 is a six-lesson, state law-specific course that addresses marijuana use. The course is
fast-paced, relevant, and customized for each student. Marijuana 101 integrates personalized feedback using the student’s responses. Utilizing the eCHECKUP TO GO brief intervention for marijuana, this course also includes a 30-day follow-up to measure changes in an individual’s attitudes and behavior.
In planning for Tier 1 education after the end of the pandemic, SUNY Brockport will continue to use the online psychoeducation option rather than return to in-person delivery.
Tier 2:
BASICS for Marijuana (Two Sessions)
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Meet with POS staff member (BASICS survey not yet taken)
- Build rapport, talk about smoking habits, harm reduction, next steps.
- Explain BASICS software, review of questions, complete by next meeting.
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Take survey (after first session).
- Meet with POS staff member within 2 weeks to review survey and next steps.
- Student takes survey after 1st session and meets again with POS staff 2 weeks later for second appointment where the survey is reviewed.
If student scores 12 or higher on the CUDIT they make their second appointment with AOD counselor.
Tier 3:
Appointment with AOD counselor.
- Anyone that has received a new sanction but has previously attended a Tier 2 sanction
- Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
- Any criminal possession of marijuana.
- Abuse of over-the-counter drugs
- Abuse and or exchange or distribution of prescription drugs prescribed to self or another person
- Use of illegal drugs other than marijuana
- Alcohol plus use of other drugs, prescription or illegal
The table below outlines how many students have participated in the Alcohol, Marijuana, and Party Smart (including students over 21) education workshops over the past five academic years.
Brockport Data on Workshops and AOD Assessments:
Alcohol Education Workshop | Marijuana Education Workshop | Party Smart Workshop | Total Alcohol/Drug Assessment | |
---|---|---|---|---|
2016-2017 | 226 | 78 | 15 | 72 |
2017-2018 | 194 | 119 | 35 | 74 |
2018-2019 | 136 | 90 | 33 | 47 |
2019-2020 | 113 | 84 | 30 | 18 |
2020-2021 | 102 | 42 | 2 | 13 |
The total alcohol and drug assessment numbers reflect referrals from the Brockport Village Court, the University and the Student Conduct Office and student self-referrals.
The University has a robust Town Gown Committee, formed in 2014 in collaboration with the Brockport Village. The committee consists of University officials and leaders and the Brockport Village stakeholders. The Town Gown committee is committed to developing and enhancing relationships between the University and the community through actively addressing issues of common concern, including but not limited to, violation of local ordinances, neighborhood quality of life, landlord/tenant relations, health and safety issues, and community involvement.
A subcommittee of the Town Gown committee is dedicated to AOD prevention. This subcommittee examines prevention efforts both on-campus and in the local Brockport community while also exploring and identifying other evidence-based and theory-driven prevention strategies that may reduce potential risk and/or harm to the community.
Town-Gown Committee, Alcohol and Other Drug Sub-Committee membership:
Department/Organization |
---|
Director of Student Conduct |
Assistant Director of Prevention and Outreach Services; University Prevention Coordinator |
Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs |
Faculty Member from Public Health and Health Education |
Chief, University Police |
Chief, Brockport Village Police |
Clubs and Organization Assistant Director |
Graduate Assistant, Prevention and Outreach Services |
Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor, Counseling Center |
Vice President, Brockport Student Government |
SUNY Brockport was awarded the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services College Environmental Prevention Grant. This grant provides SUNY Brockport with $125,000/annually for five years (2017-2022) to create long-standing environmental strategies to reduce the rates and harm from underage drinking. The OASAS Grant ends on June 30, 2022.
Shifting the Paradigm: From Education to Prevention
Prevention and Outreach Services provides leadership in the coordination of a number of different campus-wide prevention programs, including but not limited to:
- General population-based prevention programs, POS also implements tailored programs based on the unique needs and interests of specific student groups (ie., students living off-campus, students in Greek organizations, residential students, student leaders, student athletes, etc.). Program assessments indicate that programs cannot be “one size fits all.”
- A focus on supporting first-year students as they acclimate themselves to a new environment, show increased independence, and navigate the university experience/environment. Prevention programming is infused into summer orientation and Welcome Week activities.
- The continuous improvement and additional education/training for POS Peer Educators and the Student Health Advocate (SHA) position who act as role models, educators, and “change agents” within the contexts of high-risk drinking and substance abuse prevention. Peer Educators and SHAs receive pre-semester training to prepare them for their role in facilitating AOD prevention programs and assist in program assessment.
- The Tier 1 policy violators workshop was enhanced to include asset development activities and value/goal clarification exercises.
Party Smart: High-Risk Drinking and Substance Prevention Program
An outcome of the AOD prevention work group was the development of a comprehensive and strategic plan focused on creating a campus culture that supports community development, student engagement, and healthy norms. The Party Smart: High- Risk Drinking and Substance Abuse Prevention program was designed with the following outcomes:
- Create a social, academic, and community experience that promotes and influences healthy norms.
- Develop, implement, and assess health protection strategies to guard students from short term negative consequences of high-risk drinking and substance abuse.
- Intervene, treat, and provide referrals to students with alcohol or drug abuse or dependency problems.
During the 2020-2021 academic year, Party-Smart workshops were transitioned to an online module through 3rdMillennium, Alcohol Wise 21+
Alcohol-Wise 21+ utilizes the evidence-based, NASPA-recognized eCHECKUP TO GO brief intervention, proven to reduce high-risk drinking behavior. Using NIAAA Tier 1 strategies, the one-hour online course uses motivational interviewing to provide personalized feedback. Additionally, custom, campus-specific resources seamlessly integrate into the course. This cost-effective program reduces negative consequences and when implemented effectively, Alcohol-Wise changes campus culture, educates students about the harmful effects of alcohol, raises retention rates, and acts as a prevention tool for future alcohol-related violations.
Education and Interventions
Prevention and Outreach Services facilitates the following programs listed below; working from a harm reduction approach to reduce the rates of high risk drinking. The curriculum is based on the student’s experiences and their location in the student lifecycle.
Program Name | Description |
---|---|
“University Life Live” Summer New Student Orientation | This program introduces new first-year students to SUNY Brockport Residence Hall and Student Townhomes Alcohol Policy, opportunities for student involvement, and other topics that will help transition them to University life. COVID-19 precluded this program from being facilitated during the 2020-2021 academic year. |
Workshops for Alcohol & Substance Policy Offenders (2 separate workshops) Party Smart Workshops for Off-Campus Violations |
These workshops and individual Brief Alcohol among College Student Screening (BASIC) sessions focus on student success, involvement, and harm reduction approaches. BASICS was conducted remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. |
EagleCHECK Bystander Intervention Programs | These trainings focus on exploring alcohol and substance abuse as a social problem that impacts individuals, groups, and the community. Bystander intervention training is a key aspect of these sessions. |
New Member Orientation, Hazing Prevention presentations, Student Leader trainings, First-Year Academic Planning Seminar (APS) Classes. | Each session is designed to explore the unique risks and concerns of specific student populations and the interactions / influences that students may experience. |
Other ongoing prevention programming includes residence hall programs, Alcohol Awareness Week, Hazing Prevention Days, tabling and outreach in the student union and curriculum infusion.
EagleCHECK: SUNY Brockport’s Bystander Intervention Program
EagleCHECK bystander intervention training occurs during the first weekend of the semester and all first year new students are required to attend a bystander training.
EagleCHECK, is designed to:
- Increase awareness and understanding of problematic and unjust behaviors;
- Instill a sense of responsibility for helping to solve problems and support others;
- Introduce and explore bystander intervention strategies;
- Develop skills related to intervene in unhealthy, risky, dangerous, or unjust situations; and
- Empower students to act individually and collectively to ensure a healthy and safe community.
During the 2020-2021 academic year, Eagle-Check was delivered remotely for incoming first year and transfer students.
ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION
The University is currently undergoing a Council for the Advancement of Standards (CAS) in Higher Education, comprehensive AOD Program Review with anticipated completion in 2022. This comprehensive program review will inform the 2023 Biennial Report.
The following table highlights some of the many assessment tools used to guide programming and demonstrate the effectiveness of the AOD prevention efforts.
Projected Outcome | Assessment Tools |
---|---|
Create a social, academic, and community experience that promotes and influences healthy behaviors and norms. |
|
Develop, implement, and assess health protection strategies to guard students from short term negative consequences of high-risk drinking and substance abuse. |
|
Intervene, treat, and provide referrals to students with alcohol or drug abuse or dependency problems. |
|
Additional Services
STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES
Provides confidential, comprehensive health care and advice to students including educating students on health risks (short and long term) of substance use and abuse. Referrals are made to the AOD counselor and to community treatment agencies.
The professional medical staff provides screening and early intervention services. Any student who is evaluated in the local hospital emergency room and/or admitted for alcohol or other drug problems is referred to the SUNY Brockport AOD counselor.
COUNSELING CENTER
The Counseling Center at SUNY Brockport promotes the personal development and psychological well-being of all students by providing quality mental health services and strives to improve accessibility of mental health resources to the diverse student population and their ever-changing mental health needs.
The counseling center is staffed with licensed professional counselors as well as a psychiatric consultant. They provide confidential short-term counseling and address a wide variety of mental health issues via individual and group counseling sessions. Clients with substance abuse or addiction issues are referred to the AOD Counselor.
AOD PROGRAM STRENGTHS AND AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT:
Strengths:
- SUNY system provides AOD training and guidance on DFSCA regulations;
- OASAS grant provides 5 years of funding for an AOD Prevention Coordinator and for short and long term strategic planning;
- Town-Gown Committee has an AOD Prevention sub-committee;
- Hazen Counseling Center has an AOD Counselor and the Counseling Center is connected to AOD community resources;
- POS utilizes research-based practices in AOD programming and outreach for example, the EagleCHECK bystander intervention training requirement for all new students and has a strong peer education program;
- POS is undergoing a CAS AOD program self-assessment;
- Requirement that all new students complete the EverFI AlcoholEDU online module and that students report knowledge gained and that they plan to change drinking behaviors to reduce harm/risk; and
- Student Conduct System that annually updates AOD policies and procedures, is consistent in the enforcement of AOD policies both on and off campus and works collaboratively with Hazen to address AOD violations and follow up on AOD-related hospital transports.
Areas for Improvement:
- Future funding of AOD prevention/education/response efforts since the OASAS grant ends June 2022.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AOD PREVENTION:
In concluding this report and reflecting upon the prevention efforts at SUNY Brockport, the following recommendations have been established:
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Since SUNY Brockport is in the final year of the grant, the University should strategize how to continue the grant initiatives beyond June 2022. This grant was a collaborative effort between the Public Health Department and Hazen Center for Integrated Care and included the following strategies:
- Screenings and interventions related to AOD use/misuse;
- Health communication methods (social media, public service announcements, billboards);
- An assessment plan for social norms marketing campaigns;
- Enhanced enforcement by collaborating with Brockport Police Department and University Police; and
- Enhanced the Town Gown AOD subcommittee efforts.
- Completion of the CAS AOD program self-assessment utilizing the program review findings in future strategic planning;
- Continue to develop the role of students in prevention and outreach through formal opportunities (peer educators) and classroom-based efforts (collaboration with academic affairs, service learning, etc.); and
- Continue requiring for all new students to complete the online education program, AlcoholEDU.