Higher Education
e-Digest
Volume 4 / Issue 6
December 9, 2015
In This Issue:
FROM THE CENTER

Preventing Hazing on Campus
Thursday, December 17, 2015, 2-3:30 PM ET 

The National Center for Safe Supportive Learning Environments, funded by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Safe and Healthy Students, is hosting a webinar on the latest research on hazing and its implications for campus personnel. The event will feature an introductory video by U.S Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan and then practical strategies, tools, and resources to prevent hazing incidents. The event will also provide recommendations on efforts to create a more productive and supportive learning environment. To learn more and register, click here. 
FROM FEDERAL PARTNERS

A Call to End Racial Harassment on Campuses

The U.S. Department of Education held a meeting with college campus leaders from across the nation to discuss the issue of racial harassment on campuses and possible solutions for fostering supportive educational environments. During the meeting, Nancy Cantor, Chancellor of Rutgers University-Newark, issued a statement calling for an end to racial harassment on campuses and for institutions of higher education to take the lead in making a social change on their campuses. To learn more, click here.

40 Years of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 

November 29th marked the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, now known as the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA). In celebration of the anniversary, the U.S Department of Education has created a video retelling the history of the Act and efforts made to guarantee access to a free, appropriate, public education in the least restrictive environment to every child with a disability. As part of the celebration, the U.S. Department of Education has called for individuals with disabilities, especially children and youth, to share their personal experiences with IDEA. To learn more, click here.

The Impact of Historical and Intergenerational Trauma on American Indian and Alaska Native Communities

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA), has released a blog post discussing the effects of historical trauma, specifically in focusing on how trauma is addressed by a Gathering of Native Americans (GONA) and a Gathering of Alaska Natives (GOAN).The blog post features a video explaining how GONA and GOAN focus on the underlying reasons causing individuals, families, and communities to become at risk for addictions and self-destructive behaviors. The video also describes how both GONA and GOAN address these root causes by recognizing the importance of cultural values, traditions, and spirituality in healing. To learn more, click here.   

U.S Male and Female Drinking Patterns Becoming More Alike 

The National Institute on Alcohol and Alcoholism (NIAAA) has released the findings of the study, Converging Patterns of Alcohol Use and Related Outcomes Among Females and Males in the United States, 2002 to 2012. The research findings indicate that the differences between men and women in alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harms might be narrowing in the United States. The authors state that the reasons for this trend are unclear, but there may be some psychosocial and environmental factors that are worth investigating further. To learn more, click here.

National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has released materials and resources for the 2016 National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week, which takes place January 25-31. For 2016, NIDA is partnering with the NIAAA to provide publications, event planning tools, promotion toolkits, and other resources for communities interested in participating in National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week. To learn more, click here.

Opioids: The Prescription Drug & Heroin Overdose Epidemic

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services has developed a website featuring key information on the U.S. opioid epidemic, which causes the death of 44 people each day. The website includes information about opioid prevention, treatment and recovery, overdose response; and resources for health professional and law enforcement. To learn more, click here.

The National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP) Open Submission Process

SAMHSA's National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP) has opened its submission process for evidenced based intervention strategies and programs. Applicants are required to provide documentation demonstrating that the intervention meets SAMHSA's minimum requirements for submission, including at least one peer-reviewed journal published research study pertaining to the submitted intervention. To learn more, click here.

Improving Cultural Competence When Delivering Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services

SAMHSA has published a new guide for professional care providers and administrators on understanding the role of culture in the delivery of substance abuse and mental health services. The guide discusses racial, ethnic, and cultural considerations and the core elements of cultural competence. To access this guide, click here.
NEW RESOURCES
 
ACHA Guidelines: Trans-Inclusive College Health Programs

The American College Health Association released a set of guidelines and recommendations for creating campus climates and college health programs and centers that are inclusive and affirming of transgender, gender nonconforming, gender queer, and similarly self-identified students. The resource provides tips for helping mitigate barriers that these students face when accessing mental health, physical health and preventative services on campus. To learn more, click here.

Chronicle of Higher Education Micro-site on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

The Chronicle of Higher Education developed a micro-site that compiles news articles and other resources on the latest trends and insights shaping diversity on the college campus. Resources discuss topics relating to diversity in race and ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, and sexual orientation. To learn more, click here.

Chronicle of Higher Education In Context: Booklet on Race on Campus

In light of the current racial issues and protests occurring in colleges across the country, the Chronicle of Higher Education developed a booklet that includes a collection of recent news and commentary covering different dimensions of this issue. The collection of articles provides a foundation for beginning discussions around how to improve climate and conditions on campuses to be more inclusive and supportive for students of color. To learn more, click here.

Rising Tide: Do College Grad Rate Gains Benefit All Students?

Education Trust released a new report, Rising Tide: Do College Grad Rate Gains Benefit All Students? The report shows that more than two-thirds of four-year public colleges and universities have increased graduation rates in the last 10 years. The report states that there is still room for improvement in terms of closing achievement gaps based on race and ethnicity. The report highlights institutions that are achieving goals in closing these gaps and features recommendations for other schools that may be struggling with equity issues. To learn more, click here.
IN THE NEWS

For more news clips, visit Stay Connected on the NCSSLE website!

Tips on Dealing with Drinking During the Holidays
The Advocate, December 3, 2015

Mobile Healthcare Goes to College
mHealth Intelligence, December 2, 2015

Graduation Rates Rise, for Some
Inside Higher Ed, December 2, 2015

How a President Is Fighting Online Harassment of Minority Students
The Chronicle of Higher Education, December 2, 2015

Sexual Assaults on College Campuses: Focus on Alcohol
The Huffington Post, December 1, 2015

Colleges Play Role in Suicide Prevention
Community College Daily, November 30, 2015

What Is 'Skunk-Like' Cannabis? Highly Potent Marijuana Could Damage White Matter In Brain
Medical Daily, November 30, 2015

Black Students Share Perspectives of Racial Diversity on Campus
The Daily Pennsylvanian, November 29, 2015
RECENT RESEARCH

Heterogeneity of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Substance Use Behaviors in U.S College Students: A Latent Class Analysis
Evans-Polce, R., Lanza, S. & Maggs, J. (February 2016) Addictive Behaviors

A Social Network Analysis Approach to Alcohol Use and Co-occurring Addictive Behavior in Young Adults
Meisel, M. K. et al (December 2015) Addictive Behaviors

Misuse of Prescription Stimulant Medication in a Sample of College Students: Examining Differences Between Varsity Athletes and Non-athletes
Gallucci, A.R. & Martin, R. J. (December 2015) Addictive Behaviors

The Role of Community College Counselors as Validating Agents on Men of Color Student Success
Xiong, S., Allen, C. & Wood, L. (November 2015) Community College Journal of Research and Practice

Childhood Physical and Sexual Abuse and Social Network Patterns on Social Media: Associations with Alcohol Use and Problems Among Young Adult Women
Oshri, A. et al (November 2015) Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs

Emotion Regulation in Alcohol Dependence
Petit, G. et al (November 2015) Alcoholism Clinical & Experimental Research

Noncognitive Predictors of Help-seeking Among Southeast Asian Men in Community Colleges
Xiong, S. & Wood, L. (November 2015) Community College Journal of Research and Practice

Peer Influence, Genetic Propensity, and Binge Drinking: A Natural Experiment and a Replication
Guo, G. et al (November 2015) American Journal of Sociology
UPCOMING WEBINARS AND CONFERENCES
  
Webinars 

Campus Public Safety Online: Free Online Webinar Series from the National Center for Campus Public Safety
Ongoing

The National Center for Campus Public Safety is hosting a series of free webinars covering topics of interest to the college campus public safety and emergency management community. Webinars on fair and impartial policing, management systems, and behavioral threat assessments can be found under the archived webinars section. To learn more, click here.

Tools Supporting the Development of High-Quality Emergency Operations Plans 
Friday, December 18, 1:30- 3 PM ET

The Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) Technical Assistance Center is hosting a webinar on the recommended planning principles for developing high-quality emergency operations plans for institutions of higher education (IHE). The webinar will highlight free resources, products, services, and tools that are available through REMS. The event is open to all but most relevant to higher education practitioners, emergency managers, law enforcement, community partners, and other stakeholders involved in the safety, security, emergency management, and preparedness of IHEs. To learn more and register, click here.


Conferences

NASPA Strategies: Alcohol and Other Drug, Mental Health, and Violence Prevention
January 21-23, 2016, Orlando, FL

NASPA (Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education) will host a conference providing student affairs practitioners with knowledge and skills related to three "strategy topics": alcohol and other drugs, mental health, and violence prevention on campuses. Sessions focusing on each of the strategy areas will be occurring simultaneously. All sessions will introduce useful tools, prevention and intervention strategies, and integrative approaches. To learn more about the alcohol and other drugs sessions, click here. To learn more about the mental health sessions, click here. To learn more about the violence prevention sessions, click here. 

Depression on College Campuses
March 9-10, 2016, Ann Arbor, MI

The University of Michigan Comprehensive Depression Center convenes its 14th annual Depression on College Campuses Conference. The conference will feature workshops, keynote presentations, panel discussions, and concurrent sessions covering new research findings, model programs, and innovative strategies for promoting student mental health. To learn more, click here. To register, click here.

National Conference of the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education (AAHHE)
March 10-12, 2016, Costa Mesa, CA

The American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education hosts its 11th annual conference on Latino attainment and academic equity. The conference will provide plenary sessions, workshops, a book award, and keynote speakers. To learn more, click here. To register, click here.

American Indian Higher Education Consortium Student Conference
March 14-16, 2016, Minneapolis, MN

The American Indian Higher Education Consortium hosts its annual conference bringing together students and faculty from tribal colleges and universities to engage in discussions around academic achievement in the STEM and humanities fields. The event will primarily focus on professional and academic development of students. To learn more, click here. To register, click here.  

Safe States Alliance Annual Meeting
April 12-14, 2016, Albuquerque, NM

Safe States Alliance hosts its annual meeting highlighting the diversity and unity fostered in the culture and field of safety. Aligning with the Safe State Alliance mission to provide educational opportunities to stakeholders in the field of college safety, the conference will offer continuing education credits. These credits will be provided by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. and the National Board of Public Health Examiners. To learn more, click here.

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About NCSSLE's Higher Education e-Digest

The National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments Higher Education e-Digest addresses campus and community engagement, health, safety, and security. Regular contents include news from the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and other federal partner agencies and organizations, salient research summaries, examples of effective field practices, announcements submitted by IHEs and other subscribers, and relevant upcoming events. The Higher Education e-Digest also highlights NCSSLE resources and the availability of ongoing services, including technical assistance, products, and tools.

For More Information 
Visit http://safesupportivelearning.ed.gov

Engagement | Safety | Environment
The Center is funded by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Safe and Healthy Students within the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education. It is operated by the American Institutes for Research in collaboration with Child Trends; Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning; EMT Associates; the Silver Gate Group; and Vision Training Associates.

The contents of NCSSLE's Higher Education e-Digest is developed and disseminated under a contract from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Safe and Healthy Students to the American Institutes for Research (AIR), Contract Number ED-ESE-12-O-0035. The contents of this e-Digest do not necessarily represent the policy or views of the U.S. Department of Education, nor do they imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Education.
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