2008 Woodie Awards
SAFE making the best of budget restraints
Stephanie Harris
Issue date: 10/7/08 Section: News
As a result of a lack of fiscal and staff resources, the Student Advocates For Education (SAFE) reconstruction process is fully underway.
The peer health education program decided last spring that with the number of incoming freshmen continuing to grow priorities had shifted and it was necessary to develop a strategy that would educate a greater number of students on college- life health and safety.
"Like any program a lack of resources is a challenge," said Heather Howard, Director for the Center for Student Leadership, Involvement and Service. "Under the current funding structure we do the best we can."
Howard, who has served as director for the past six years and previously occupied the position of advisor, refers to SAFE as more of a student club rather than a university program.
No state money is used to fund SAFE, and Howard and others work for the program part time. The club is run by students, for students. Those involved dedicate their time and receive no pay or course units, however internship units are available.
SAFE's new plan for reaching more students relies on a training program in which SAFE educators train University 102 peer mentors to speak to students.
"The goal is to develop something that can last for a long time with the changing tides," said Cynthia Beard, Campus Life Advisor for the Center for Student Leadership, Involvement and Service.
University 102 is a freshmen seminar elective course the university recommends to incoming freshmen.
In the past SAFE educators would enter the University 102 courses once a semester and speak with the students on topics such as alcohol abuse, safe sex and sexual assault. Now it is the responsibility of the University 102 peer mentors to deliver the information SAFE provides them.
SAFE views this collaboration as a more effective approach because the peer mentors are with the students all semester long. This gives them the advantage of building a relationship with students.
The peer health education program decided last spring that with the number of incoming freshmen continuing to grow priorities had shifted and it was necessary to develop a strategy that would educate a greater number of students on college- life health and safety.
"Like any program a lack of resources is a challenge," said Heather Howard, Director for the Center for Student Leadership, Involvement and Service. "Under the current funding structure we do the best we can."
Howard, who has served as director for the past six years and previously occupied the position of advisor, refers to SAFE as more of a student club rather than a university program.
No state money is used to fund SAFE, and Howard and others work for the program part time. The club is run by students, for students. Those involved dedicate their time and receive no pay or course units, however internship units are available.
SAFE's new plan for reaching more students relies on a training program in which SAFE educators train University 102 peer mentors to speak to students.
"The goal is to develop something that can last for a long time with the changing tides," said Cynthia Beard, Campus Life Advisor for the Center for Student Leadership, Involvement and Service.
University 102 is a freshmen seminar elective course the university recommends to incoming freshmen.
In the past SAFE educators would enter the University 102 courses once a semester and speak with the students on topics such as alcohol abuse, safe sex and sexual assault. Now it is the responsibility of the University 102 peer mentors to deliver the information SAFE provides them.
SAFE views this collaboration as a more effective approach because the peer mentors are with the students all semester long. This gives them the advantage of building a relationship with students.
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