Alcohol-Wise On-Line Education

Alcohol-Wise

Starting in the summer of 2008, Ithaca College will be using Alcohol-Wise as its on-line alcohol education program for incoming freshmen.  Alcohol-Wise is a web-based alcohol education program designed to assist students in making healthy decisions regarding alcohol use in college.  The program takes about an hour and 15 minutes to complete and includes information on:

• How expectations influence behavior
• Alcohol’s effect on learning and memory
• Recognizing and responding to an alcohol-related emergency
• Blood alcohol concentration and low-risk drinking strategies

Based on students’ responses to a confidential questionnaire at the beginning of the program, Alcohol-Wise provides personalized information based on gender and drinking behavior.  Alcohol-Wise is relevant to students who drink and those who abstain from alcohol. 

Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about Alcohol-Wise.

Q.  How do students access the course?

A. Students can access Alcohol-Wise using any computer with internet and audio capabilities. 
   To access Alcohol-Wise

1. Go to www.3rdmilclassrooms.com 
2. Click on Begin Enrollment-College on the left side menu.
3. When you are directed to enter the Control Number, enter the code below.

ITHCAW

Do not include payment or credit card information on the enrollment form!

4. You will receive a password immediately on the screen and by email.
5. Login using your email address and password to begin the course. The course takes about an hour and 15 minutes to complete and you can login and out, as needed.
6. There is an exam at the end of the course which you must pass with a 70% or higher.

Please Note: The deadline for completing and passing the exam is

August 19, 2008.

You will receive an email in 30 days reminding you to complete the 15-minute follow-up.

Technical support is available by email at info@3rdmilclassrooms.com and toll-free, 24-hours a day at (888) 810-7990.

Q.  I am a transfer student.  Do I need to take Alcohol-Wise?

A.  We encourage transfer students to take Alcohol-Wise, but it is not mandatory.

Q.  What about students who do not have easy access to computers at home or in their community?

A.  We ask that you consider all the possibilities for accessing a computer.  A friend or family member may be willing to let you use their computer for this purpose.  Also, many local libraries have computers available with internet access.

If it is truly impossible to access a computer with necessary technical capabilities, you may receive an extension to complete Alcohol-Wise in the fall semester in order to take the course on an Ithaca College computer.  Please email healthpromotion@ithaca.edu or call Priscilla Quirk at 607-274-3136.

Q.  What if a student’s home computer freezes or crashes while trying to run the program?

A.  First, contact Alcohol-Wise’s 24 hour technical support at 888-810-7990 to see if something can be done to optimize the performance of your computer.  If that does not solve the problem, please email healthpromotion@ithaca.edu or call Priscilla Quirk at 607-274-3136 for an extension in order to take the course on an Ithaca College computer early in the fall semester.

Q.  Why is Ithaca College implementing Alcohol-Wise?  Is there a drinking problem here?

A.  Ithaca College is pretty typical of most college campuses when it comes to alcohol use.  Most people drink moderately or do not drink at all.  The info on Alcohol-Wise is really about helping people think through decisions related to alcohol use.

Online alcohol education is a new strategy available for addressing the college’s ongoing goal of reducing high-risk drinking and related harm.  The President’s Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs recommended that all incoming students complete Alcohol-Wise.

Q.  What does research say about Alcohol-Wise?

A.  Preliminary research on Alcohol-Wise is promising.  Research conducted with Alcohol-Wise and on one of the program’s components, e-CHUG, have shown encouraging results for college retention rates, GPA’s, and decreased weekly alcohol consumption (go to Alcohol-Wise for links to research articles).

For more information:

Priscilla Quirk
Health Promotion Coordinator
607-274-3136

For information about Alcohol-Wise

3rd Millennium Classrooms
Toll-free Phone: 888-810-7990                     
Email: info@3rdmilclassrooms.com