The “A” List: A Student
Approach to Dispelling Common
Misconceptions about College
and Altering Destructive
Behavioral Patterns
Jelena Peric
Lena Van Nimwegen
Karen Moses
Presenters
Jelena Peric
Karen Moses
HCSAC Chair Emeritus
A List Subcommittee Co-Chair
WHP Director
A List Subcommittee Advisor
Lena Van Nimwegen
HCSAC Nutrition and Exercise Coordinator
A List Subcommittee Co-Chair
Introduction
• Who we are
– Arizona State University
– Health and Counseling
Student Action
Committee (HCSAC)
• A List Subcommittee
– Arizona State University
(ASU) Wellness and
Health Promotion (WHP)
Our Inspiration:
ACHA 2009
• “A Strategic Plan for Health
Promotion: Understanding the
College Culture”
– Presented by Enid Jennings and
Cheryl Hug-English
– University of Nevada-Reno
– Most Important Point taken from
this presentation – Promoting
Healthy Norms on a College
Campus
Objectives
• Identify the aspects of a health and wellness website
that communicates the most effectively with the
student population
• Describe the greater efficacy of a student-generated
medium rather than an administrative-based medium
influencing the conceptions and actions of the student
body
• Discuss the role of collaborating with administration
when creating and promoting the website and
planning for its sustainability
The Beginning
• We have an idea, now what?
– Formed HCSAC Subcommittee
– Approached HCSAC Advisor – Dr. Allan Markus,
Campus Health Director
– Referred to Karen Moses, WHP Director
Is another website necessary?
• Current ASU WHP website
– Purpose
•
•
•
•
•
•
Relevant health information
Reference list
Program information
For students and parents
Online program access
Present ASU student data to
correct misperceptions and
promote healthy norms
– Style
• Professional
• Informational, not judgmental
• Conforms to institutional design standards
Is another website necessary?
• New WHP
FacebookFanpage
– Purpose
•
•
•
•
Current information
Dynamic, interactive
Program information
Correct misinformation
– Style
• Casual language
• Informational, not
judgmental
• Conforms somewhat to
design standards
Is another website necessary?
YES
• Student Developed Website – THE “A” LIST
– For students, by students
– Further presenting accurate social norms and
dispelling misperceptions
– Doesn’t have to obtain ASU approval
• USG Website
• Open and frank language/topics
Purpose of A List
• Lower the influence of peer
pressure that is associated
with the idea that everyone is
engaging in these activities
• Provide specific factual data
that is representative of the
ASU student body
• Provide a series of resources
and/or links to organizations
that offer health and wellness
related services
For Students, By Students…
Students at Arizona State University
Football Game
Process: Partnerships
Process:
Collaborating with Administration
• Importance of working
with campus
administrators
• Role of Students
• Role of Administrators
Campus Health Services Building which
houses Wellness and Health Promotion
Process:
Content Development
• Brainstorming with
subcommittee
– Sections
– Student input
– The Student Voice
Process:
Content Development
• Content areas
–
–
–
–
Alcohol
Drugs
Tobacco and Hookah
Diet and Weight
• Memorial Union (MU)
Nutrition
– Fitness and Exercise
– Sexual Health
• STIs
– Stress
– Body Image
Process:
Content Development
•
•
•
•
Address misperceptions about social norms
Provide applicable information
Local resources
Present information in an unbiased and non-judgmental manner
Memorial Union
Nutrition – Not all
Chicken Sandwiches
are Created Equal…
Process:
Content Development
• Content Development
Phase
– Time commitment
– Reliable information
from credible sources
– Collaborations
• Accountability and
recognition for
contributions
Process:
Student Feedback – The Student Voice
• Focus Groups
– Institutional Review Board
(IRB) process
– Planning and Organizing the
Focus Groups
•
•
•
•
Timing
Incentives
Leading the focus groups
Audio taping
– Evaluations of content
ASU Students Showing School Pride
Process:
Student Feedback – The Student Voice
• Helpful feedback
– Non-judgmental
information
– Different perspective
– Format
– Language choices
– Applicable
– Different reactions to
information
– REFERENCES!
Challenges
• Initial decision-making
process about another
website
– Supplemental,
congruent, and taking a
collaborative approach
Challenges
• Challenges with
Partnerships
– USG involvement
• Challenges with the
timeline
– Time consuming
process
– Establishing a timeline
Arizona State University’s Tempe Campus
Outcomes:
Promotion and Official Launch
• WHP, HCSAC, USG collaborative promotion
–
–
–
–
–
Fall Welcome
Passport to ASU
Booths, tabeling, strategic marketing
Targeting incoming freshmen
Include all 4 campuses
Outcomes:
Further Evaluation
• Continued promotion
throughout Fall 2010
semester
• Evaluation Surveys
near end of Fall 2010
semester
• Promoting healthier
lifestyle and not
website
Palm Walk:
Common Place for Promotional Activities
Questions?
Contact Us!
• If you would like more information or
updates on our progress, please feel free to
contact us!
– Jelena Peric
• jperic@asu.edu
– Lena Van Nimwegen
• lena.vannimwegen@asu.edu
– Karen Moses
• karen.moses@asu.edu