Order of Omega is pleased to announce, with the scholarship presented to our top 2012 recipient, we will have reached a major milestone of $1 million awarded since the program was established.  

As the premier honor society for Greek leaders, Order of Omega not only recognizes students for their scholarship, leadership, and service, but we also support our undergraduate and graduate members through our Scholarship and Fellowship Program.

Annually, Order of Omega gifts over $70,000 to our undergraduate and graduate members with awards ranging from $1,000 to $300.  The scholarship program was established in 1985, followed shortly thereafter by the fellowship program in 1988.  To date, the organization has assisted 2,295 individuals in their educational endeavors.  We look forward to continuing our commitment and support of academic excellence for our members and those who contribute to the success of our Greek communities.

Long Live the Order!

The Upsilon Tau Chapter of Order of Omega at Baker University nominated two candidates for Homecoming Royalty; Timothy Laughlin and Lauren Breithaupt, and both were top ten finalists, with Lauren taking home the title of 2012 Homecoming Queen.  Congratulations to both Timothy and Lauren!  On the same note, of the ten Homecoming Royalty finalists, five are members of Order of Omega.  Way to represent Upsilon Tau Chapter!

        Timothy Laughlin & Lauren Breithaupt

Lauren Breithaupt - Baker University, 2012 Homecoming Queen

Why and How Campuses Should Address Substance Abuse Prevention

CoHEASAP (www.collegesubstanceabuseprevention.org) brings together representatives of over 20 diverse higher education organizations to set a national agenda for substance abuse prevention on campus The coalition model implies a shared, campus-wide responsibility , with input and active involvement  from the many offices and individuals committed to the health and safety of students.  An integrated model of campus coalition can be found at  www.caph.gmu.edu/PromPrac/htdocs/2005/TaskForcePlannerGuide.pdf 

An Ongoing Problem

Substance abuse has been identified by college presidents as the number one issue impeding student success.  Studies show that students perform better socially, emotionally and academically when they make more positive choices related to substance use – see a snapshot of high-risk drinking consequences at www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/NIAAACollegeMaterials/TaskForce/Intro_03.aspx

Healthy living practices – stress management, good nutrition, adequate rest and active lifestyle – all improve when alcohol and other drug use is minimized, and conversely campuses that provide comprehensive support for healthy behaviors reduce  negative consequences.  The recent release of Healthy Campus 2020 provides campuses a map to help drive their prevention efforts.  http://www.acha.org/HealthyCampus/student-obj.cfm

More information about these issues and Best Practices to reduce alcohol abuse and its negative consequences can be found at www.CollegeDrinkingPrevention.gov.

Focus: Non-Medical Use of Prescription Drugs

An integrated and comprehensive campus approach to reduce the negative outcomes of substance abuse includes incorporating new information about emerging issues that arise on the campus scene. One such growing concern is related to the non-medical use of prescription drugs.  

Easy access and perceptions that misuse of these substances do not carry the same risks as street drugs has led to cavalier attitudes around sharing others’ medications without proper medical monitoring.  Though reported misuse is around 10 percent, this represents an upward trend.  Campus health and wellness efforts should include information about the risks of non-medical use of prescription drugs, and incorporate best practices to help students avoid negative consequences associated with misuse. 

As part of CoHEASAP’s ongoing mission to provide current resources to the field, following are resources campuses may use/adapt to support their prevention efforts:

• Generation Rx University: Collegiate Prescription Drug abuse prevention resources by and for college students --http://pharmacy.osu.edu/outreach/rxabuseresources/

• N.O.P.E --Narcotics Overdoes Prevention Education: Sometimes You Never Sleep It Off College Campaign –www.nopetaskforce.org 

• Take Action to Prevent and Address Prescription Drug Abuse:  A Resource Kit for America’s College Campuses – www.talkaboutrx.org/documents/GetTheFacts.pdf 

• Rx for Prevention: Non-Medical Prescription Drug Use Tool kit for Health Promotion-- http://www1.villanova.edu/villanova/studentlife/health/promotion/goto/resources/drugs.html

• DEA National Take Back Initiative for unused prescription drug disposal --.  www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/

CoHEASAP Supports the Observance of

National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week, October 21-27, 2012

#makeSMARTchoices! Campaign

Encourages Students to Share Strategies to Stay Safe

College and university students will join forces with their peers and campus professionals on more than 800 campuses across the country to promote National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week (NCAAW) on October 21-27, 2012. During NCAAW, students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of awareness and educational events, all designed by the campus’ prevention partners and leaders to reinforce personal responsibility and respect for current state laws and policies when it comes to the consumption of alcohol beverages.

NCAAW has grown to become the largest single event in all of academia because students take ownership in designing and implementing this observance for their campus communities.  This week gives campuses the opportunity to showcase healthy lifestyles free from the abuse or illegal use of alcohol, and to combat the negative and inaccurate stereotypes of college drinking behavior.

"NCAAW is a focused event for campuses to address alcohol abuse and impaired driving prevention," said Janet Cox, Convener of the CoHEASAP and President/CEO of The BACCHUS Network™, a national nonprofit organization that supports student health and safety through peer education. The organization provides educational resources on these issues to campuses.

Dr. Kent Gardner, Executive Director, at Order of Omega stated, "Ultimately, campuses need to educate students about excessive drinking and consequences that can occur on both a personal and academic level.  All college and university offices need to empower students to take responsibility for their own decisions and the campus environment when it comes to alcohol.  Participation in NCAAW helps students and college administrators work together to increase awareness and strengthen year-round prevention efforts.  We have to engage and empower students to take care of themselves and each other."

NCAAW is promoted by the Coalition of Higher Education Associations for Substance Abuse Prevention.  This coalition of 20 higher education associations is dedicated to promoting education, prevention, research, networking, and national initiatives to help eliminate substance abuse and the problems it causes on our college and university campuses. Order of Omega is one of the member associations of the coalition.  College administrators play a vital role in working with students to educate them about alcohol. 

The 2012 NCAAW Campaign theme is “#makeSMARTchoices - When it comes to Alcohol, Be SMART."  The campaign contains messages to:

S – Set limits on drinking

M – Make a plan for safety before going out

A – Act to help others who might be in a dangerous situation

R – Respect responsible choices made by peers

T – Talk to a friend if you are concerned about his/her high-risk drinking

The campaign takes advantage of social media and encourages students to tweet about their successful strategies to stay safe and be responsible during social situations.  The messages support personal responsibility and practical safety tips to avoiding excessive drinking, driving after drinking, and not riding with a driver who has been drinking.

NCAAW activities vary from campus to campus, but typically include informative presentations and social events that promote responsibility and healthy, safe decisions about alcohol.  For additional information, visit CoHEASAP, www.collegesubstanceabuseprevention.org

For NCAAW campaign educational and promotional materials and alcohol abuse and impaired driving prevention resources, visit http://www.bacchusnetworkstore.org/