TIPS is the acronym for a 3-hour program (not including set-up and tear-down) which stands for Training for Intervention ProcedureS. The program uses a positive approach to address the difficult problem of underage student alcohol consumption on college campuses by using an informal information-sharing process.
Recently, the Governor of Pennsylvania recognized our efforts by sending the President of Millersville University a letter acknowledging our work.
Shown below are several pieces of TIPS literature including the booklet cover from my TIPS training manual as well as a photo of my co-facilitator Dr. O’Neill. He and I co-facilitated one of the sessions using various teaching and visual aids such as newsprint flip charts, the TIPS DVD, rating score cards, quarters for determining BAC, and role-playing so students could evaluate possible scenarios and develop skills for managing potentially difficult situations that could harm-students. Fall 2013 training is scheduled to include Greek Life presidents, social chairs and risk managers. One of the sessions Dan and I conducted was for members of Club Sports.
Club Sports are different from Intercollegiate Athletics. At Millersville University, the Department of Campus Recreation manages the Club Sport program whereas intercollegiate athletics participation and compliance is managed by the Athletic Department. Interestingly, sports such as Ice Hockey and Men’s Lacrosse are considered Club Sports at MU, but at other schools may be financially supported and fielded as NCAA-sanctioned teams.
Sometimes a school may not have the resources to sponsor a varsity team or offer individual scholarships for participation. Therefore, the only eligible way for students to participate in organized play may be at the Club Sport level. The roster for Club Sport teams includes many talented student-athletes whom for various other reasons have decided to participate in Club Sports.
Currently, the Club Sports teams at MU include: Ice Hockey, Men’s Lacrosse, Men’s Rugby, Women’s Rugby, Men’s Volleyball, Water Polo, Synchronized Swimming, Bowling, Fencing, Martial Arts, Roller Hockey, and Ultimate Frisbee. Over the past several years, the Ice Hockey and Ultimate Frisbee teams have competed in playoff competition at the national level.
Through a recent arrangement between the Director of Campus Recreation and the Director of the Wellness and Women’s program, students who participate in MU Club Sports during the Spring 2013 semester are able to receive education and training on how to prevent intoxication and alcohol misuse using evidence-based methods. Click here to open the TIPS Trainer Info facilitation guidelines for the Spring 2013 events.
To read more about my training and experiences in this field click here: https://learningwithjeff.com/archives/2253
