Costly Decisions (Alcohol Education Program)
This program was created at UMass Dartmouth for first-time "alcohol offenders" and focuses on:
- attitudes about alcohol
- the different levels of impairment due to intoxication
- alcohol poisoning
- courageous decision-making
- operating under the influence
Program Goals
- To have positive, interactive discussions with students regarding alcohol use on campus
- To provide information that will assist students with their decision-making as students here at UMassD and for the rest of their lives
- To educate students about the legal ramifications of using and abusing alcohol on campus
Since its inception in September 1999, the Costly Decisions program has educated more than 1,500 students and has received positive feedback both from students and university administrators.
The program is the first of its kind at UMass Dartmouth and is a recognized university sanction for alcohol policy offenders. The Costly Decisions program has subsequently been used as a model for other colleges and universities throughout the United States.
The co-creators and facilitators of the program, Sgt. John Souza and Sgt. Maurice Dore, update the program annually to adapt the program material to meet the needs of the ever-changing UMass Dartmouth student community. Through this and other educational, preventive and proactive programs, the UMass Dartmouth Police Department hopes to continue to make a difference in the lives of students in the years to come.
Sgts. Souza (left) and Dore (right) speak candidly with students about decision making concerning
alcohol abuse on campus as well as the legal ramifications.
Testimonials
The following comments from students who attended a Costly Decisions program indicate its impact:
"Both presenters answered every question the students asked, not only with facts, but also using their own experience. This definitely helped us understand our choices better."
"I expected the presentation to simply be a boring lecture reprimanding us for what we did, but in reality it was very informative and engaging. I would recommend this program to others."
"I learned a lot of things that I didn't know about UMass Dartmouth policies and Massachusetts Laws. I really enjoyed the 'fatal vision' goggle demonstration. This really made the program interesting and gave the students a chance to participate."
