ACE IT
Alcohol Culture Explored Interactive Theatre
Freshman Orientation Program
ACE IT utilizes theatre and peer discussion to examine situations, attitudes, and choices regarding alcohol and the campus drinking culture. Freshman are challenged to look at their own beliefs and behaviors regarding alcohol use, while receiving information that will enable them to make low risk choices in regard to alcohol consumption.
ACE IT doesn’t lecture or preach, but encourages informed decision-making about alcohol use and abuse.
The Program
The program is a mandatory, 90-minute event that occurs during the first two weeks of the fall semester in room 112 of Gregory Hall. Students are assigned to a session, with the option to change session dates if a conflict occurs. Every freshman will receive email notification of their requirement to attend ACE IT.
Audiences of approximately 300 freshmen watch a 30-minute live performance by students portraying the campus drinking culture.
Immediately following the performance, trained student peer facilitators lead groups of 20-30 randomly assigned freshmen to breakout rooms for a 45-minute discussion. The dialogues consist of students’ reactions, beliefs, and questions relating to the culture portrayed in the performance.
Attendance is taken.
Alcohol education materials and campus resources are also distributed to the students at the discussion session.
Opportunities for Student Involvement
The CHLH 199-ACE course prepares students to be peer facilitators for the ACE IT program, and is offered during the Spring semester. Students who successfully complete the course are eligible to become facilitators for the program presented the following August/September. Coursework focuses on learning practical facilitation skills and alcohol education.
The ACE IT acting ensemble consists of student actors who audition each March. This ensemble will then perform the following August/September.
If you are interested in becoming involved in the program, see the contact information below.
Purpose
Many messages in the media and the general student culture support the use and abuse of alcohol during the college years. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign believes that the health and safety of our freshmen can be increased by reaching them early in their college experience with messages concerning alcohol not readily available in the popular culture.
Students who arrive predisposed not to drink need to know that they are not alone and that the University supports this choice. Students who believe that drinking will be an important part of their college experience need to learn about the possible impact that the abuse of alcohol may have on their health and academic success. All students should be aware of the range of choices confronting them concerning alcohol.
As a program of the University’s Alcohol and Other Drug Office, ACE IT is committed to working toward ensuring all students’ health, safety, and academic success.
Questions? Contact ACE IT Program Coordinator Betsy Peterson at aceitprogram@illinois.edu.
