New Directions for Institutional Research
No. 121, Spring 2004

Many institutions are surveying students about sensitive topics such as alcohol and drug use, sexual behavior, and academic dishonesty. Yet these can be some of the most difficult surveys to administer successfully, given reluctance on the part of respondents both to participate and to provide truthful answers. John H. Pryor offers strategies for approaching this task.

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Journal of American College Health
Vol. 50, No. 6

When an outbreak of conjunctivitis was identified at a rural New England college early in 2002, the college health center medical staff used various infomration management and communication systems to alert the community to the situation. they called upon the state Department of Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help them understand and manage the outbreak. Technological systems already in place at the college allowed for rapid collection of data by means of a suvey delivered over the Internet and a carriage study facilitated by a Web-based appointment and communication system. Within days, the data were collected and analyzed and an immediate response to contain the outbreak was launched.

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Proving and Improving, Volume II: Tools and techniques for assessing the first college year
Ed. R.L. Swing

Increased alcohol use and the accompanying negative consequences of such use have powerful impacts on the first-year experience. Through targeted surveys, universities can determine the extent and nature of high risk behaviors on campus, and develop effective strategies for addressing and managing these issues.

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