While students across the Dartmouth campus are receiving information about alcohol use on campus through a media campaign, first-year students are receiving that information more directly throughout Freshman Orientation.
Several changes were made to this year's freshman orientation format, including a different approach to alcohol, drug and sexual abuse education during orientation week and increased planned social events for the incoming class.
One of the new programs initiated was the distribution of a computer program names "Alcohol 101" to all first-year students. The program allows students to experience simulations of situations involving alcohol and make choices about their use of alcohol in those situations.
Depending on the choices the student makes, the program produces a scenario of what could happen. The program provides information about the legal implications of underage drinking, a "virtual bar" that allows the user to see their blood alcohol count rising as he or she drinks and many different scenarios from unplanned sex to medical emergencies that may result from the unsafe use of alcohol.
The CD-ROM will be a starting point for discussions in Undergraduate Advisor groups about alcohol use. Margaret Smith, coordinator of alcohol and drug Education programs, has trained a group of facilitators that will lead the discussions throughout fall term and answer questions the students have.
"It's not an attempt to say what's right or wrong but an attempt for students to engage in conversations about usage patterns," Dean of First-Year Students Gail Zimmerman said.
Another change to the orientation program was the elimination of "Community at Dartmouth," a program of skits of social issues at Dartmouth. Instead, "Experience Dartmouth," a series of personal narratives by upperclass students replaced the program, leaving some of the issues previously covered undiscussed.
"It was an attempt for students to understand the diversity of experience at Dartmouth," Zimmerman said. "We thought it was much more powerful."
Instead, "Last Call," an alcohol education program, was presented on Thursday night. "He Said, She Said," a program on sexual abuse, was presented to first year students on Friday night.
"Last Call" was a "very dynamic program which helps students understand issues around collegiate drinking and drinking behavior," according to Zimmerman.
The number of planned social events was dramatically increased, including late night movies, events at Collis Student Center, dance lessons and performances.
"Our goal was to provide a number of different venues for interaction for the first year class," Dean of the College James Larimore said.