Cal Poly Week of Welcome Wins Showcase Award

WOW presentation SAN LUIS OBISPO – After undergoing changes for its 2010 edition, the Awareness component of Cal Poly’s Week of Welcome orientation program has received a 2010 National Orientation Directors Association (NODAC) Media & Publications Showcase Award in the Emerging Technologies category.

A portion of the changes resulted in a video presentation, “Personal Choices and Struggles,” that focuses on consequences that can result from drug and alcohol abuse. The video follows the aftermath of a typical college party and the results of an individual’s actions. Topics included in the video include sexual assault, a drunk in public violation, disorientation, possession of drugs, and death from alcohol poisoning. Binge drinking and the overall contents of common alcoholic drinks served at parties are also explained to students.

During the WOW program, large student groups gather for the video and then break into small groups to discuss what they’ve experienced.

WOW organizers submitted the video to the National Orientation Directors Association Convention, which honored it with a Showcase Award under the Outstanding Multimedia/ Emerging Technologies category. WOW’s Executive Board accepted the award at the national organization’s annual conference Nov. 5- 9 in St. Louis.

The video was written, directed, filmed and edited entirely by Cal Poly students. WOW enlisted the help of the University Police Department, San Luis Obispo Police Department and medical staff at Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center in San Luis Obispo to realistically portray what can happen to students if they choose to partake in the highlighted activities.

“Gaining the recognition of our peers in this specific content area really helps motivate us to continue to expand and produce excellent material to help new students” said Andrene Kaiwi-Lenting, Cal Poly’s assistant director of Student Life and Leadership.

Cal Poly’s 2010 Week of Welcome took place Sept. 15-19. Community members were invited to preview the new Awareness component and other workshops prior to the beginning of WOW.

For more information about NODAC, visit http://www.nodac.org/awards.php.
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