AODE Program Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the AODE Program and SBI?
Q. Who will I meet with?
Q. What happens if I miss a meeting?
Q. Is AODE a part of the Office of Residential Life?
Q. Do I have to complete the follow up survey?
Q. Where is the AODE Program located?
Q. How did I get referred to the AODE Program?
Q. How will I be treated by AODE Program Staff?
Q. What is a brief intervention?
Q. How many meetings does it take to complete my SBI requirements?
Q. Will I get into trouble if I’m honest about my alcohol and other drug use?
Q. Are AODE sessions counseling?
Q. What if I have been referred to BASICS?
Q. How can I contact the AODE Program?
Q. What is the AODE Program and SBI?
The Alcohol and Other Drug Education (AODE) Program coordinates’ substance abuse prevention, education, early intervention, and assessment at Fordham University. These initiatives are part of a comprehensive, integrated strategy that is science based and inherently student centered. “Screenings and Brief Interventions (SBI)” is a program facilitated by the staff of the AODE Program for students mandated from departments at Fordham.
Q. Who will I meet with?
Ed Wahesh is the Director of the Alcohol and Other Drug Education Program. His office is in McGinley Center 217. He has a Masters in School Counseling and is a National Board Certified Counselor (NBCC). As AODE Director, he is also the Faculty Advisor of the Fordham University Peer Educators at Rose Hill. Celeste Demby is the AODE Graduate Intern. She is pursuing her Masters in Arts at New York University studying Higher Education Administration. Her office is in McGinley Center 218.
Q. What happens if I miss a meeting?
We ask that you try to contact us in advance via phone or e-mail if you know you are going to miss a meeting. If you miss a meeting, it is your responsibility to contact us as soon as possible in order to reschedule. If you do not reschedule, we will notify the Office of Residential Life and this may lead to further disciplinary sanctions for failure to comply.
Q. Is AODE a part of the Office of Residential Life?
The AODE Program is a separate department within Student Life at Rose Hill. Student Life at Rose Hill includes the Dean of Students, the Office of Residential Life (ORL), the Office of Student Leadership and Community Development (OSL&CD), and the AODE Program. Because the issues related to alcohol abuse are a high priority for each of our departments and that many of our mandated clients are referred to us from the Office of Residential Life, we maintain a close relationship with Residential Life staff and other administrators in Student Life. Also, the AODE Program notifies Residential Life of whether or not students are actively pursuing completion of their sanctions.
Q. Do I have to complete the follow up survey?
Yes. Several weeks following your final session, you will receive an email from AODE requesting that you complete a survey. It will take approximately 10 minutes to complete and is similar to the “pre-test” survey that you completed during your first session. It’s important that you take this survey because your responses will enable us to properly evaluate our services. Once you have completed the survey, the AODE Program will notify Residential Life that you have completed your SBI or BASICS referral requirements. If you do not complete the survey within 48 hours, we will inform Residential Life that you have not failed to comply.
Q. Where is the AODE Program located?
The AODE office is located on the second floor of McGinley, inside the Student Affairs Suite. You can reach our office (rms. 217 and 218) by walking through the glass doors into the Suite and heading down the corridor on your left. Our offices are located at the end of the hall before you reach the maroon doors. If you are meeting with Mr. Wahesh, your meeting will occur in McGinley 217. If you are meeting with Ms. Demby, you will meet her in McGinley 218.
Q. How did I get referred to the AODE Program?
You may have been referred to the Alcohol and Other Drug Education Program for several reasons. Many students are referred to AODE by a Resident Director or another administrator on campus. The AODE Program does not decide whether or not a referral should occur. We are responsible for ensuring that referred students are able to complete their requirements. If you have any questions about why you were referred, please contact the administrator that you met with or who signed your referral letter.
Q. How will I be treated by AODE Program Staff?
AODE Staff treat all students the same way, whether they have been mandated to us or have come voluntarily for assistance. We are not disciplinary officers and will not attempt to convince or force you to change. We do follow set procedures and guidelines, so at your first meeting you will be asked a variety of alcohol and other drug screening questions in order to assess your use and risks. Following your Screening and Placement Interview, you will be placed into an appropriate educational intervention.
Q. What is a brief intervention?
What we have noticed over the years is that many students mistakenly believe an intervention is a dramatic event reserved for people who have a serious alcohol or drug problem and are in denial. In fact, brief interventions have very little in common with this misperception. According to the National Institute for Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the goals of brief interventions, “differ from formal alcoholism treatment. Brief interventions generally aim to moderate a person’s alcohol consumption to sensible levels and to eliminate harmful drinking practices, rather than to insist on complete abstinence from drinking—although abstinence may be encouraged, if appropriate.” The educational interventions we utilize have been designed for college students and provide opportunities for insight and the presentation of accurate information related to alcohol and other drug use.
Q. How many meetings does it take to complete my SBI requirements?
SBI (Screening & Brief Intervention) begins with a (approximately thirty minute) Preliminary Screening and Placement Interview with a staff member. Following the Preliminary Interview, a student is placed into an appropriate educational intervention. Interventions are typically 2-3 sessions in length and may be done individually with a staff member or in a group (Choices). While the subject matter is different, all interventions last the same amount of time. Following the intervention, thestudent may need to complete a 15 minute follow-up or an online survey.
Q. Will I get into trouble if I’m honest about my alcohol and other drug use?
No. The AODE Program holds the utmost respect for student privacy. Any information shared during a session relating to the use of alcohol or other drugs will not be used against a student to incriminate or “get them into trouble.” Limits and parameters of confidentiality are discussed more fully during the first session.
Q. Are AODE sessions counseling?
While personal issues related to alcohol and other drug use may arise during your sessions, the AODE Program staff members do not serve in the capacity as counselors at Fordham. Since personal issues are at times related to substance use, AODE staff often refers students to Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS), which is located on the Lower Level of O’Hare Hall. To learn more about CPS, visit their website at: http://www.fordham.edu/cps.
Q. What if I have been referred to BASICS?
BASICS (Brief Alcohol Screening Intervention for College Students) is a two session program facilitated by a member of the Alcohol and Other Drug Education Program staff. Generally, students are mandated directly to BASICS following a conversation with an administrator. During the first session, you will receive additional information and will complete a survey. Between sessions you will be assigned a homework assignment and must complete a fifteen minute online survey (e-CHUG or e-TOKE). During the second session, you will receive personalized feedback based on the data collected during the first session. Each session is approximately an hour in length.
Q. How can I contact the AODE Program?
You can reach the Alcohol and Other Drug Education Program Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm by phone or e-mail, or you can visit our webpage.
