During the COVID-19 pandemic, universities adjusted policy and protocols to manage the environment and mitigate the risk of virus transmission among the campus community. In the early semesters of the pandemic, these changes restricted student behavior that would have otherwise been encouraged, such as attending gatherings, and often resulted in…

Instructors and professors know from their experiences as learners that engaged, interactive, dialogical learning can enhance understanding and increase joy in the learning process. Yet many were primarily taught through traditional lecture-style techniques and continue that pattern in their own teaching. As a professor who believes learning…

University life is widely publicized as an adventure--a chance to engage with new ideas, people, and opportunities. While these vibrant interactions can be part of the college experience, participation in a competitive, high-stakes academic environment like University of Michigan (U-M) can pose very real challenges. Students must learn to navigate…

While a robust body of research has documented the intricate relationship between our nation's education and penal systems, the weight of this work has focused on primary and secondary schools, absolving colleges and universities of their role in the carceral state. In this essay, we describe some of the ways in which higher education institutions…

This article provides an overview of the research on targeted violence, including campus violence, and the implications for policy and practice at institutions of higher education. Unique challenges of threat assessment in the community college setting are explored, and an overview of an effective threat assessment policy and team at William…

Of all drugs abused on college and university campuses, alcohol causes the greatest harm. Other drugs (the prevention field uses the term "other drugs" to distinguish them from alcohol, which also is a drug) also take a significant toll--diminishing the quality of campus life, undermining academic performance, compromising students' health and…

Although alcohol is the drug that college students use most frequently and in greatest quantity, the designer drug ecstasy has generated both curiosity and concern in recent years. This Fact Sheet offers an overview of ecstasy, possible effects of its use, and implications for institutions of higher education. Although the number of students…

The "culture of drinking" on U.S. college and university campuses has gained widespread national attention. Researchers cite the disturbing consequences of drinking on campus each year--1,700 college student deaths from alcohol-related causes; 600,000 unintentional injuries; 700,000 assaults; and 100,000 cases of sexual assault and acquaintance…

The most widespread health problem on college and university campuses in the United States is high-risk alcohol and other drug (AOD) use. Recent reports confirm that the nation's campuses continue to encounter significant consequences as a result of this problem. This "Infofacts/Resources" offers an overview of the problem and highlights effective…

Several national studies have documented high rates of drinking on college campuses and a wide range of negative repercussions of student alcohol use. Associated with fighting, vandalism, acquaintance rape, and unprotected sex, drinking on college campuses has a clear and damaging effect on campus life. Difficulty meeting academic responsibilities…

The "culture of drinking" on U.S. college campuses has recently gained widespread national attention. A report by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) notes the disturbing consequences of drinking on campus each year: 1,700 college student deaths from alcohol-related causes; more than 500,000 unintentional injuries; more…

Although alcohol is the most abused drug on college campuses, Ritalin has also attracted much concern in recent years. This "Infofacts/Resources" describes Ritalin use on college campuses, outlines possible effects of its abuse, and recommends policies for institutions of higher education. (Contains 7 online resources.)

The likelihood that students will make a successful transition to the college environment is often a function of their readiness--the degree to which previous educational and personal experiences have equipped them for the expectations and demands they will encounter in college. A key problem is that the current measures of college preparation are…

Because alcohol and other drugs are involved in most acts of violence on campus, college and university administrators are under increasing pressure to acknowledge this connection and reduce alcohol consumption on campus. But because alcohol alone does not cause violence, campuses must also address other contributing factors. Since research has…

Few would argue that athletic success depends on both physical and mental health. Given that, it would be reasonable to expect that college athletes avoid using alcohol and other drugs to preserve their overall health and enhance their athletic performance. In fact, college athletes use alcohol, spit tobacco, and steroids at higher rates than…