November 17, 2017

UOW residences up the stakes on alcohol accreditation

Students benefit from continuous improvement in awareness and incident prevention training.

Students entering and returning to UOW residences in 2018 will receive an added level of training when it comes to alcohol education and awareness skills.

It follows all seven residences being awarded the next level of accreditation in UniCAN - the national Alcohol Accreditation Program. Marketview has achieved the maximum Level Three Accreditation, Campus East, Weerona, International House and Kooloobong Village all achieved Level Two, while Graduate House has received Level One, along with newest student accommodation, Bangalay, in its first year of operation.

Student Residence Manager Mary Sparks said the enhanced accreditation means every student living in UOW accommodation will have the opportunity to go through the training program.

“This is a fantastic step forward for our student residences and firms up the University’s approach for continuous improvement when it comes to education on the prevention of anti-social behaviour, which can often be fuelled by alcohol.

“It’s a great achievement, particularly at a time when future students are receiving offers for places across our accommodation options, and reinforces the importance UOW places on maintaining student safety and well-being.

“These programs are run by our Student Leaders in each accommodation. We know peer-led learning is extremely effective and goes a long way towards shifting perceptions and behaviours when it comes to potential consequences of substance abuse,” Ms Sparks said.

Student Leaders also receive training in general First Aid, meet with Wollongong Police and hear about the current status of drug and alcohol issues in the community, learn about the UOW initiated SafeZone app (an emergency security app available at all UOW campuses), social media bullying and harassment, the role of UOW Student Support Advisors and how to look after yourself.

Earlier this year Mary Sparks was awarded the inaugural UniCAN Leadership Award, after displaying passion and commitment towards improving the residential experience for residents and staff.

Institutions participating in the program work through three levels of accreditation. UOW Living is one of the first student residences in Australia to achieve Level One Accreditation from UniCAN in all sites.

About UniCAN

The Alcohol Accreditation Program, UniCAN, is a national initiative between AlcoCups and the Asia Pacific Association for Student Housing Officers (AACUHO) to change alcohol norms. The program aims to create and implement a holistic behavioural change model in universities to reduce alcohol related incidents and promote responsible drinking. The Accreditation Program comprises a set of national standards for university residential service providers to achieve and maintain with three levels of accreditation. The behaviour change of the UniCAN Alcohol Accreditation Program is achieved through initiatives such as facilitation of events and activities that do not involve alcohol, implementing an education and awareness program in residences to change cultures and attitudes, ensuring there are adequate resources and support services available to students, and by raising awareness amongst students and staff.