Education Leads to Behavioral Change

AlcoholEdu for College is an interactive prevention program designed specifically for college students that incorporates proven prevention techniques and science-based research to empower

students to make more informed decisions. The three-hour course, completed by each student privately, has been designed to be administered to an entire population of students in order to create a "viral" conversation effect that reinforces its healthy messages and inspires change.

"Numerous studies have shown that within the first year of college, high-risk drinking and all the problems that come with it increase significantly and often reach epidemic proportions," said Brandon Busteed, Chief Executive Officer of Outside The Classroom, developer of AlcoholEdu. "But when an entire population of students takes AlcoholEdu, a dialogue ensues that helps create a ‘counter-epidemic' of healthy behavior. I know we can change the culture of drinking and Sigma Nu's leadership on this issue will make a difference."

To ensure that this population-level prevention takes place, the Fraternity is asking that all members and candidates (who have not already done so) complete the online program by April 1, 2008.

The Sigma Nu effect. . .

Since partnering with Outside the Classroom, approximately 4,200 of our members and candidates have completed AlcoholEdu. Of those 4,200 individuals, more than one-half indicated that they recognized a need to change their drinking habits. Additionally, over 60% of those who have completed the program state they know more about Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC). Moreover, after engaging with AlcoholEdu, members and candidates have a higher rate of abstention and lower rates of heavy episodic and problematic drinking. Consider this: more than 70% of those having completed the course are under the legal drinking age of 21. Therefore, it is becoming quite clear that Sigma Nu members and candidates are becoming better educated on the perils of alcohol abuse and misuse earlier in their collegiate careers through their completion of AlcoholEdu. That is why the Fraternity will again be offering this program to its entire membership this year.

"It's the most effective program we've seen in terms of changing attitudes and behavior," said Brad Beacham, Executive Director of Sigma Nu Fraternity. "Knowledge gives college students the power to make informed, healthy decisions about alcohol use. We want our student members to not only have the education, but also the know-how to apply it. AlcoholEdu provides both."

Help empower your chapter by encouraging your membership to complete the program. The Fraternity's goal is to have 100% of its members and candidates complete the online program by April 1, 2008.

For more information about Outside the Classroom and AlcoholEdu for College visit: www.outsidetheclassroom.com