Choices Grant
NCAA CHOICES Grant at California Lutheran University
What is CHOICES?
CHOICES is a grant program sponsored by the NCAA for member institutions. According to the NCAA.org website, “In an effort to educate students about the risks involved with the misuse of alcohol, the NCAA has, through the support of the NCAA Foundation and Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc., developed CHOICES, a grant program for alcohol education. Through the CHOICES program, the NCAA provides funding for NCAA member institutions and conferences to integrate athletics into campus-wide efforts to reduce alcohol abuse. CHOICES projects must partner athletics with other campus partners in the development and implementation of effective alcohol-education projects on college campuses.”
CLU received a full grant, $30,000 over 3 years from Fall 2009 to Spring 2012.
Why did we apply to bring CHOICES to CLU?
Although various areas of the university address issues related to alcohol consumption, the funding and staffing for such efforts is minimal, as compared to the number of students coping with alcohol related issues. Further, the intention to create additional programming for students along with campus-wide discussion of alcohol related issues among various university constituencies was seen as a wonderful opportunity.
What are the goals of CHOICES at CLU?
Facilitation of the CLUe in to your CHOICES program at California Lutheran University will seek to fulfill three objectives:
- Provide programmatic opportunities for traditional undergraduate students to discuss and engage in learning opportunities regarding their choices, alcohol use, and the general student culture regarding drinking. Heighten awareness among students regarding responsible choices, resources, and peer norms.
- Facilitate target programs intended to reach student subpopulations at higher risks for risky drinking behaviors, including but not limited to first year students, student leadership groups, student athletes (intramural and intercollegiate) and residential students.
- Establish opportunities for students to provide education and events for their peers through program grants that encourage active student participation in the educational process and program implementation.
How will this happen?
CHOICES will fulfill the grant goals through various programmatic means including events for the undergraduate student body, target events to reach student subpopulations at particular risk for risky alcohol use, social norming campaigns, a new university website related to alcohol use, and peer-to-peer programs, created and funded through mini-program grants.
All events and efforts will be assessed, using individualized event assessments, as well as national data collection on an annual basis through the National College Health Assessment. All data will be reviewed and disseminated by the President’s (CHOICES) Taskforce composed of faculty, administrators, and students from California Lutheran University.
How does this impact me?
The President’s Taskforce for CHOICES is presenting the grant to various campus constituencies and facilitating “issue gathering” groups to identify key challenges related to alcohol on campus. Information you provide will be used to guide the grant implementation over the coming years.
Further, opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to get involved are available. Students can apply for Peer2Peer program grants, and participate in the NCHA Assessment, beginning October 21. Please share this with any students you believe may be interested! Faculty and staff can get involved through various opportunities, by contacting Sally Lorentson at slorents@callutheran.edu.
