Abstract
The central phenomenon researched in this case study was higher education administrators’ decisions to institutionalize a safe ride program at a small, rural college. The purpose of this single/within-site case study was to describe the changes that happened at a rural public institution of higher education and the surrounding community in the Midwest where safe ride services were provided to college students. A multi-faceted data collection and analytic methods were utilized, including an embedded qualitative survey conducted by in-person interviews regarding attitudes and experiences with regard to the safe ride program. The qualitative central question and sub-questions in this single case study were: How did higher education administration decide to create a safe ride program? In what ways has the safe ride program at this rural Case Study College reduced harms associated with alcohol and substance use? What are the identifiable criteria that have led this to be successful rural Case Study College safe ride program? What were the guiding principles utilized in deciding whether or not a safe ride programs at this rural institution of higher education would be viable? What were the concerns Case Study College administrators had regarding safe ride programs? What safe ride services were provided to Case Study College students and how did the students access these services? What changes occurred in the student discipline or student involvement since the safe ride program was created? What changes in campus security or law enforcement occurred since the development of the safe ride program? What factors at this rural Case Study College facilitated the delivery of a safe ride program? Higher education administrators might find this information helpful when making decisions regarding prevention initiatives aimed at reducing rates of driving under the influence and other related issues among college students.