Strategic Plan

AZIHE Network 2010-2013 Strategic Plan

The purpose of the AZIHE Network Strategic Plan is to provide member institutions with broad overall alcohol and other drug (AOD) and violence prevention-related activities to reach desired outcomes. The activities and outcomes are based on The Network’s Standards and the Environmental Management Model. This model provides a social and ecological framework for prevention which recognizes that health and safety-related behaviors are influenced not only by individual factors but by group processes, institutional factors, community factors and public policy. By aligning themselves with the AZIHE Network, member institutions agree to address heavy/high-risk AOD use and related negative consequences and violence among youth by targeting five environmental facets:

  1. Campus AOD and violence behavioral and attitudinal norms and expectancies,
  2. Campus policies and procedures related to AOD and violence,
  3. Availability of alcohol and other drugs,
  4. Enforcement of AOD and violence policies and laws, and
  5. Availability of alcohol-free social and recreational options.

The intent of the Strategic Plan is to provide a unified direction for IHEs in Arizona to work toward reducing heavy/high-risk AOD use and related negative consequences and violence among students on their individual campuses. It is recognized and accepted that Network member institutions may differ in their levels of attainment in reaching these goals. It is also recognized and accepted that Network member institutions may utilize differing methods of achieving these goals depending on the unique needs and resources characteristic of their campuses.

2010-2013 AZIHE Network Strategic Plan

Glossary of Terms

Alcohol and other drug (AOD) – refers to alcohol abuse and related drug use

AOD programming – refers to programs that target alcohol abuse and related drug use prevention and early intervention

AOD-related data – refers to quantitative and qualitative data about alcohol abuse and related drug use, as well as related attitudes, behaviors and negative consequences

Harm reduction strategies – refers to strategies that may reduce harm associated with alcohol and other drug use (e.g., encouraging safer blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels by educating individuals how to calculate personal BAC based on gender, body weight, number of alcoholic drinks consumed and length of drinking episode)

Institutions of Higher Education (IHE) – refers to private and public 2-year and 4-year universities and colleges (including community colleges)

Protective behaviors – refers to behaviors that reduce risk associated with alcohol use (e.g., limiting consumption of alcoholic beverages, arranging to have a designated driver)

Social norms – refers to the common perceptions and/or behaviors held by the majority of a community population

Youth – refers to individuals at or under the age of 24