Though many Texas Tech freshmen may not enjoy taking the AlcoholEDU awareness class, Tech officials believe it is beneficial for them in their first year of college.
Amanda Eldredge, a Student Health Services health educator, said its survey results show a 15 percent increase in students who choose not to drink since the first year at Tech.
The program, which started in 2005 and was made a requirement for incoming freshmen in 2006, boasts the participation of more than 500 universities, Eldredge said.
About 1.4 million students have gone through the course since its inception nine years ago, Eldredge said.
Although there are no immediate consequences to students who do not take the course, she said students who skip the course face different consequences if they are later referred to Student Judicial Programs.
Eldredge said if students wish to retake the course at a later period to learn updated information about alcohol consumption, they are allowed to take it but must call Student Health Services to receive special log-on instructions.
Klint Hobbs, a Tech staff psychologist, said he believes it is important for freshmen to go through the program because it can dispel myths about alcohol.
He has not viewed the entire course, but Hobbs said any effort to increase alcohol awareness could not hurt and even if only a few people benefit from the program it is a positive.
Hobbs said there are several other programs offered at Tech to help with alcohol awareness.
The Raider Assistance program helps students determine if they have an alcohol problem if they are not sure, she said.
Alcohol Awareness Week, which is Sept. 13-19, is a weeklong series of events and speakers that will educate students about alcohol.
The Center for the Study of Addiction and Recovery on the Tech campus is another resource students can take advantage of, and while they focus more on recovery, they also provide education about addiction.
Hobbs said he encourages anyone who attends the university to take advantage of these programs.
Dawn Owens, a victim advocate with Mothers Against Drunk Driving in Lubbock, said it is important to educate students about physical and legal consequences.
She said she does not know much about the AlcoholEDU program, but she believes the program is a good step in the attempt to educate students.
MADD has a zero-tolerance policy for underage drinking, but she said they do not condemn alcohol as a whole.
"If you're over 21 (years old), just be responsible," Owens said. "Plan ahead, designate a driver or drink at home."
The Lubbock group will have booths set up at two of the Alcohol Awareness Week events - Monday in Chitwood/Weymouth Residence Hall and 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Allen Theater in the Student Union Building.
The first section of the AlcoholEDU program was due Saturday and the second section of the course is due Oct. 20, according to the Student Health Services Web site.
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