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Foodborne illness and food safety risks pose health threats to everyone, including international college students who live in the United States and encounter new or unfamiliar foods. This study assessed the prevalence of self-reported foodborne illness among international college students by cultural regions and length of time in the United States. Eight land grant institutions were contacted for participation. Directors of international students and scholars (ISS) programs at participating institutions agreed to forward a link containing an online survey to international students enrolled at their respective universities. Cross-tabulations were used to determine percentages of self-reported foodborne illness and other food safety risks among respondents by cultural regions and length of time lived in the U.S. Results indicated that 28.6% respondents self-reported they have been sick due to foodborne illness within the past year in the U.S., 10.1% have sought medical attention, and 3.2% have reported a suspected foodborne illness, 30.8% and 29.8%, respectively, have avoided particular restaurants or foods for fear of foodborne illness. Foodborne illness may be a concern among international college students in the U.S. International students in cultural regions with high percentages of self-reported foodborne illness such as Latin America, Africa, Ex-Communist, Catholic Europe, Confucian, and South Asia were more at risk of foodborne illness than other population groups. The self-reported percentage of foodborne illness was higher among international students who had lived in the U.S. for 3 years or more, than those who had lived in the U.S. for 2 years or less. Health educators could focus efforts on reaching international college students with appropriate food safety messages during their early stages of acculturation to mitigate risks of foodborne illness. (Contains 4 tables.)

This study focuses on a wellness learning community in order to report changes that were made to its operation and to determine if its members had higher levels of satisfaction than did other students living in the same residence hall. Research was conducted on the wellness learning community at a Midwest university to determine if changes made in the functioning of the community resulted in improved student satisfaction with living and learning experiences. A previous study had revealed that changes were needed to improve the quality of faculty and staff interactions and learning community activities. To determine the impact of the implemented changes, a second iteration of the previous survey was used to determine if student satisfaction increased as a result of the implemented changes. A control group in the same residence hall was used in an effort to remove influences of other variables. Results showed that the implementation of purposeful interactions and activities made significant changes on the wellness students' satisfaction with their living and learning community.

The purpose of the study reported here was to (a) determine the role of Extension in disaster response, (b) identify the information needs, and (c) disseminate education and training modules through the EDEN. Extension staff should know their county's emergency plan and the role identified for Extension. Extension staff should attend local emergency management meetings, be knowledgeable of local and state resources, and redirect citizen calls to agencies. Extension has a primary responsibility for providing the public with educational materials congruent with Extension's program areas. Topics were identified for disaster-related educational materials and new materials were developed.

This study examined three themed residential learning communities and their impact on students' satisfaction with their overall university experience, residence hall living experience, residence hall learning experience, their interactions with residence hall student staff, and the students' academic experience. The researchers were specifically interested in determining if residential learning community participants' experiences differed from those of students living in similar residential facilities and not participating in a themed learning community. The sample included 255 students living in three high-rise residence halls, the faculty responsible for coordination of the learning communities, and the residence hall staff. Two learning community floors were located in each of the residence halls. Face-to-face interviews, semistructured group interviews, and an online survey were used for this mixed design study. The researchers found that learning communities can enhance satisfaction with the residence hall living experience, but lack of faculty and residential staff planning and accountability can significantly reduce the benefits of the learning community. Students in residential learning communities with direct and intentional involvement on the part of the faculty and resident staff had a higher level of overall student satisfaction than did students in communities with less faculty and staff involvement. (Contains 3 tables.)

The advent of Web 2.0 and the spread of social software tools have created new and exciting opportunities for designers of digitally-mediated education programs for adults. Whether working in fully online, blended, or face-to-face learning contexts, instructors may now access technologies that allow students and faculty to engage in cooperative and collaborative learning despite being separated in space and time. By supporting the use of interactive methods and multi-media materials, social software offers educators more ways to engage learners than any preceding educational technology. Social software also empowers curriculum designers to more effectively accommodate many of the core principles of adult learning than was possible with earlier e-learning technologies. This article offers a basic introduction to some new possibilities in the design and delivery of digitally-mediated education, and an overview of the compatibility between the capabilities of social software and the principles of adult education.

This study analyzed the impact of a medical amnesty policy and an online alcohol poisoning video on college students' intentions to seek help when witnessing alcohol poisoning symptoms. Students were randomly assigned to receive an amnesty policy, alcohol poisoning video, or both. The group that received both treatments was most likely to seek help. Females, abstainers, and those not previously exposed to an alcohol poisoning situation were more likely to seek help. (Contains 5 tables.)

Communities benefit from meaningful involvement by individuals of all ages, but adults don't always perceive youth as legitimate, crucial contributors to community decision-making processes. The purpose of the study reported here was to determine if adults who participated with youth in the Horizons program changed their attitudes, opinions, and behaviors when working with young people on community issues or projects. Results indicate a positive change in adult attitudes, opinions, and behaviors when working with youth following the Horizons program community conversations and leadership training. (Contains 2 tables.)

This mixed method study described the interaction preferences among generational groups of undergraduate students and how these preferences factor into classroom interaction. The study utilized a two-phase process, starting with qualitative data gathered from focus groups. A published instrument was used to qualify participants for one of four focus groups, one for each generational group included in the study (Builders, Baby Boomers, Generation Xers, and Millennials). Resulting themes and findings were used to develop a quantitative survey instrument that was administered to undergraduate students at three Midwest universities in the second phase of the study. It was found that age alone is not a good indicator of generational group membership. Individual student values must be considered when considering classroom interaction in higher education. The resulting information can be useful to faculty and administration at undergraduate universities to create learning environments that address preferences among students by generational group. (Contains 1 table and 1 figure.)

Manufacturers in the United States are struggling to recruit and hire high-skilled workers needed to maintain productivity and to compete globally. While the total number employed in the manufacturing sector is shrinking, the demand for high-skilled workers has increased. Community and technical colleges have traditionally been an important source of high-skilled workers. This article analyzes the completion trends in manufacturing-related programs in community and technical colleges in the Great Lakes and Plains regions. Data for 10 four-digit program series and 41 six-digit program codes were retrieved from the National Center for Educational Statistic Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Short-term and long-term completions trends for the period 1996-2005 were identified for 12 states. Findings of this study, though not encouraging, add to the understanding of the skills shortage. (Contains 21 tables.)

This article explores the issues surrounding medical amnesty policies in higher education beginning with the background of such policies, a summary of the current debate regarding the policies, and a discussion of research related to helping behaviors among college students. Due to the negative consequences of alcohol misuse, many student affairs administrators have implemented medical amnesty or Good Samaritan policies. These policies usually consist of an educational campaign in which students are assured that they will not be sanctioned by the university if they seek help for a peer who is intoxicated. The current discussion regarding medical amnesty policies focuses on the debate between harm reduction and enabling. Understanding why students do not seek help is crucial to designing policies or other interventions to increase help seeking. The article reviews the arguments for and against medical amnesty policies and gives specific recommendations for further research on this topic.

Computers have been found to be effective tools to motivate students enrolled in farm management. Once students have collected accurate data, the projections and analyses the computer provides for their farm management plan are more reliable and provide a more accurate picture of what may happen in the farm business. (LRA)

IN AN EFFORT TO PARTNER WITH PARENTS, college and university officials across the country have implemented various practices and policies with regard to notifying parents of underage students who have violated alcohol and other drug policies. However, despite use of the practice of parental notification at many institutions, little research exists that demonstrates the effectiveness of these policies. The purpose of this study was to determine parents' responses to being notified of alcohol or drug-related violations involving college and university students under the age of 21 living both on and oft campus. Implications of this study for residence life officials are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]