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The UA's STEP UP! program was developed to teach students about ways that they, as bystanders, can help prevent problematic situations or aid in remedying them.

By La Monica Everett-Haynes, University Communications
October 2, 2009

The bystander effect – a phenomenon in which individuals in crowds do nothing in an emergency situation, thinking someone else will react – has been documented in cases related to alcohol abuse, discrimination, violence and other issues.

To counteract this effect among college students, an initiative launched by Arizona Athletics staff at the University of Arizona, called "STEP UP! Be a Leader, Make a Difference," is training students on ways to effectively deal with such situations.

Becky Bell, associate athletics director, said the program was initially created for student-athletes, but that all students could benefit from its teachings in both emergency and nonemergency situations.

"Bystanders are present in just about every situation. But why don't people help? That's what the training is all about," said Bell, also of the C.A.T.S. Life Skills Program. The program worked with experts across the nation to develop the initiative.

"Whatever group you're working with, the concepts, theory and foundations of the program don't change," Bell said.

The C.A.T.S. program developed STEP UP! – which is heavy on discussion and interactive activities – through a collaboration with the National Collegiate Athletics Association, which is now offering the program nationally.

STEP UP! coordinators are in the process of developing a component that deals specifically with academic issues – such as cheating and plagarism – and also are scheduling a campuswide event that is scheduled to occur in March.

The program explores decision-making steps and intervention styles, training students on ways to first detect a problem, then evaluate if and how they should get involved, and then determine whether they should speak directly to the individual or people involved or seek professional help.

Some bystanders, Bell said,don't recognize the issue or choose to ignore it, while others believe the problem is none of their business. Others may not recognize the risk, or believe someone else will take care of it.

The crux of the initiative is to raise awareness of the need for people to take action rather than to expect that others will step up. In other words, to train students to avoid ignorance and group conformity.

Gambling, hazing, alcoholism, discrimination, violence, abuse and eating disorders are among the issues the program addresses. For instance, the NCAA in 2004 surveyed about 21,000 student-athletes across the United States and found that nearly 70 percent of males and more than 45 percent of females reported that they had performed some sort of gambling in the previous year. 

Arizona student-athletes Ashley Rohweder and Ana Agy, who have been trained in the three-hour program, said they have used the STEP UP! methods in their personal lives.

While neither wanted to share details about their respective situations, both said that see a broad range of benefits from the program.

Rohweder said she didn't know much about the bystander effect prior to taking part in the program, but it proved to deal directly with "real-life" situations.

"You know right and wrong, and you know when a situation is bad, but you aren't really taught how to react in real life," said Rohweder, a pre-business sophomore who competes on the UA's track and field team.

"I think everyone experiences situations like these. But instead of making excuses, you have to be wise enough to recognize when a situation is not normal," she added. 

Agy said even a brief interaction with the program is effective.

"I think the program can be so effective on the college level because, for many of the students, it's their first time away from home and the first time not having their parents immersed in their lives," said Agy, who is majoring in business economics. 

"This would be effective for someone even if they stopped in for one minute. That's how effective it is," said Agy, also a member of the UA's swim and dive team and an Honors College student.

Part of the program also deals with making students aware of resources. At the UA, these include the Dean of Students Office, the Campus Health Service and the UA Police Department.

"The program is so beneficial, and it's definitely real life," Rohweder said.

"I think learning how to spot problems beforehand – before things get out of control – is the main thing," Rohweder added. "Early intervention. It helps you think about where you are and you have to be able to think on your feet."