Through the BGeXperience today, all freshmen will be instructed to take AlcoholEdu, an online alcohol prevention program.

‘AlcoholEdu is a non-judgmental course,’ said Terry Rentner, principle investigator for the course and chair of the journalism department. ‘It is useful for nondrinkers as well (as drinkers),’ Rentner said.

Last fall was the first offering for the course. In addition to freshmen, any Greeks and athletes who did not complete the course last year will be instructed to complete the course this year.

Rentner received a grant from the Higher Education Center at the US Department of Education. The grant is for $300,000 for an alcohol program on a college campus.

‘This course is effective in helping students consider drinking in healthier, safer ways,’ Rentner said.

The course can be taken in parts or in one sitting. The first section will take approximately two-and-a-half hours to complete. Students have until mid-September, about six weeks, to finish the first section.

Then after 30 days, a second section, which should take 20 minutes, will need to be completed. This is a follow-up survey and knowledge test.

‘This course helps us know about the needs of the students (at BGSU),’ said Barb Hoffman, the health programs coordinator at the Wellness Connection.

‘I couldn’t believe how many poeple drink on a regular basis,’ said sophomore Heather Merritt

Hoffman explained that the information gained from this course will be useful for peer facilitators and comparing BGSU to other universities that participate in AlcoholEdu. The results will also be presented in developmental programs at the University, Rentner said.

At the end of last year’s course, more than 90 percent of students who completed the course that were heavy drinkers said they were ready to change and not drink as much, Rentner said.