Over the past few years, Indiana University has committed significant time and effort across all campuses to improve mental health, safety and security, sexual violence prevention, alcohol and drug education, and student engagement. These efforts earned IU the 2024 Seal of Prevention from the Campus Prevention Network. The distinction, announced Jan. 24, recognizes higher education institutions that have demonstrated leadership in student safety and wellness.

The recognition applies to all IU campuses and IU Online.

“At Indiana University, we are deeply committed to fostering a campus environment where every student feels supported, safe and empowered to thrive,” IU President Pamela Whitten said. “This recognition underscores the meaningful progress we’ve made through collaborative, research-driven efforts that prioritize student well-being, and we will continue to invest in programs and initiatives that not only address critical challenges but also strengthen the sense of belonging and success for all IU students.”

IU was honored for its efforts with safety, mental health, well-being and community building. Examples include:

• The IU Student Mental Health Initiative, the goal of which is to improve mental health for all students.
• TimelyCare, a 24/7 virtual wellness platform for college students.
• Mental health first-aid training.
• A three-year grant to implement an expanded mental health framework for the IU South Bend campus community.

Individual IU campuses have also invested time, effort and resources into this important work. IU Bloomington joined the Culture of Respect Collective in 2023. This research-grounded program helps higher education institutions end sexual violence on their campuses by improving their organizational policies, practices and procedures. Since joining, IU Bloomington has created and put in motion an action plan to make improvements.

IU Northwest has engaged in a focused effort to address student basic needs, earning a $900,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education. And all regional campuses and IU Indianapolis have established Groups Scholar programs, providing support and encouragement to even more students.

Campus Prevention Network’s Seal of Prevention establishes guidelines for quality online prevention education and implementation practices. Each recipient of the seal has taken action to create a safer and more welcoming campus through comprehensive, evidence-based digital prevention education on issues such as sexual assault, alcohol misuse, mental health and discrimination.

“The CPN’s Seal of Prevention is a true recognition of the collective deep work our entire university community has put into the health, wellness and engagement of our students,” IU Vice President for Student Success Julie Payne-Kirchmeier said. “When we focus our efforts and center our students, together we make meaningful change. Earning the Seal of Prevention for all IU campuses is a testament to this approach, and our students are better for it.”

Recipient institutions have, on average, 6% higher first-year retention rates and 7% higher on-time four-year graduation rates than non-recipients, and 34% of high school seniors say they would be more likely to attend such an institution, according to a Campus Prevention Network release.

Seal of Prevention criteria are based on the Principles of Effective Prevention Programs. Over 850 campuses were evaluated to determine eligibility.

Kirk Johannesen is a communications consultant for the Office of the Vice President for Communications and Marketing.