ECOLOGY MODEL
Putting Ecological Concepts Into Action
National Demonstration Projects 2002-2005
During the second phase of demonstration of the campus ecology model (2003-2005), six of these campuses were chosen to develop action programs to implement strategies identified in their earlier planning. The Health Education and Leadership Program worked to support student affairs professionals in developing creative and successful models to address student health and wellness on campus. Through the use of the ecological perspective campuses moved beyond the traditional modes of health education - especially, targeting the individual for behavior change -- toward a consideration of the broader, environmental context in which students live and learn, and toward a more systematic and population-based approach to advancing their health.
The project chose these six institutions as national demonstration projects to illustrate how the concept of campus ecology can support the development of innovative health interventions that lead to a more healthy campus and reduce student's risk for HIV and other diseases in a variety of institutional contexts, regions, and cultures. The demonstration sites included and engaged diverse racial, ethnic, and sexual minority student groups as they conducted ecological assessments, engaged in a planning process, and implemented activities and policies to address health and reduce HIV risk behaviors on their respective campuses.