Title IX and AlcoholEdu training is required for NIU students to take at the start of their first semester at NIU, and rightfully so; students need to take the training seriously.

Illinois requires all students in their first year at college to participate in Title IX and AlcoholEdu training. This is vital training for students to educate and to make them more aware of the dangers and realities of these subjects, according to NIU Annual Mandated Title IX Training section of the NIU Office of Academic Diversity, Equality and Inclusion website.

Title IX training is an online sexual assault training created by NIU tailored to the students that attend the university. It covers topics of dating violence, domestic violence, gender/sex based discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual violence and stalking. The training serves to help protect and educate students about the misconducts that happen.

“It is important for our students to have, to take and to understand consent,” Title IX coordinator Sarah Garner said. “It is important for our students to know where to go if they have experienced acts of sexual misconduct, and for students to learn how to be an active bystander; when you see a situation, know how to really intervene and help out another student.”

The second half of the training is the AlcoholEdu. This is an online module that goes over drinking and party hazards students may succumb to. AlcoholEdu serves to help students make safe choices and know the healthiest behaviors for them if they happen to be in an uncomfortable situation.

“Today, AlcoholEdu is used on more than 500 campuses and by 36 percent of all first-year students at America’s four-year higher education institutions, and is the only program proven to reduce negative alcohol-related consequences among students,” according to an overview on EverFi, the website that produces AlcoholEdu.

This statistic shows the sheer number of schools participating as well as the fact that it does help to reduce negative behaviors. Students should read every section and not simply click their way through the slides. As stated on the EverFi website, the module only takes about one to three hours, which is very little time in comparison to the effect on students and the choices they make.

Commander Steve Lekkas, of the Dekalb Police Department, said one of the most important things for students to remember is to stay safe, to always have a plan and to consider having a way to get home when going out. Students need to learn from others’ mistakes; when bad situations arise, most of the time the offender is under the influence of some substance.

Both of these trainings are essential for students take serious as it provides numerous valuable lessons that will help ensure safety in all types of situations. Students need to carefully read and process all the information that is given during these modules to truly get the most out of the program.

“It [the training] really gives a good picture to our students what we as Huskies stand for at NIU,” Title IX coordinator Sarah Garner said.

More Info:

The modules have been available since Aug. 1 and are to be completed by Sept. 14

Students should check their emails for link to training and more information.