Don't Cancel Class

Why Choose This Alternative?

Instead of canceling a class, faculty are encouraged to partner with the Center for Health Advocacy & Wellness (CHAW) to provide engaging, informative sessions that build health, wellness, and personal growth for students. These workshops align with the “Don’t Cancel Class” ethos: making absences constructive.

What CHAW Offers

CHAW delivers interactive presentations and workshops across several critical themes — perfect for filling a class session with meaningful content:

Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drugs (AOD)

  • AOD 101 – Alcohol, cannabis, and other drugs from a harm-reduction standpoint, including safer-use strategies and the amnesty policy.
  • AOD Bingo – Game-based learning about alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs.
  • Narcan Education & Distribution – Recognizing and responding to opioid overdoses; participants leave with a Narcan kit.
  • Collegiate Recovery Program Overview – Introduction to recovery resources, involvement opportunities, and skills for breaking addictive patterns.
  • Recovery Ally Program – Interactive training on substance misuse, addiction awareness, and intervention tools.

General Wellness

  • Live Well FSU – Practical strategies for balancing academics, work, and self-care.
  • Sleep Well – Creating routines for better sleep quality.
  • Stress Less & Be Well – Recognizing stress and developing a personalized action plan.

Sexual Health

  • Hookup Culture – Research and conversations on dating, sex, and consent.
  • Condom Bingo – Fun, engaging safer-sex education game.
  • Sex Ed 101 – Contraception, STI prevention, and consent basics.
  • Power-Based Personal Violence Prevention
  • Green Dot – Bystander intervention strategies for preventing violence.
  • Boundaries+ – Identifying, setting, and respecting personal boundaries.
  • You + Me + We – Healthy relationships, consent, and communication

Nutrition & Body Image

  • Nutrition Basics on Campus – Balanced eating, meal planning, and navigating campus dining.
  • Intuitive Eating – Building a healthy relationship with food and body trust.
  • Body Kindness: A Self-Compassion Workshop – Challenging negative self-talk and fostering body appreciation.
  • Your Friends Need You – Supporting peers with concerning eating behaviors or body image struggles.

How It Works

  1. Select a topic from CHAW’s offerings (or request a custom session)

  2. Submit the presentation request form online, ideally at least two weeks before (14 business days in advance) 

  3. CHAW staff will confirm availability—typically within 2–4 business days

  4. A 45–60-minute (or longer) workshop is facilitated by CHAW staff

  5. An instructor-designated attendee (e.g., TA or student assistant) should be present to assist with logistics and take attendance

Suggested Page Structure

About the Initiative

An overview of “Don’t Cancel Class,” how CHAW fits into this framework, and benefits of contributing to student learning even during faculty absences.

Sessions Offered

A categorized list of workshop topics and durations, with brief descriptions.

How to Request

Clear instructions and link to the Presentation Request Form, including timing expectations and contact info.

Instructor Toolkit

  • Suggested language for email or syllabus notices

  • Tips for identifying alternative facilitators (TAs or students) to support the session

  • Example communication template:

    I'm scheduled to be out of class on [date] for [reason]. Instead of cancelling, I’d like to request a “Don’t Cancel Class” session on [topic]. Please confirm availability and next steps at your convenience—thank you!

Additional Resources

Links to campus wellness, recovery, and support services (e.g., Wellness Coaching, Collegiate Recovery Community, DAAPP) chaw.fsu.edu

Example Workshop Table

Topic Area Sample Workshop Duration
Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drugs AOD 101, AOD Bingo ~60 min
Nutrition & Body Image Nutrition Basics, Intuitive Eating, Body Image 45–60 min
Wellness & Resilience Living Well at FSU, Sleep Well 30–60 min
Violence Prevention Green Dot, You + Me + We 60–90 min
Sexual Health & Title IX Sexy Time, Condom Bingo, Title IX essentials 30–90 min

Contact & Support

Have questions or need scheduling flexibility? Email CHAW staff at chaw@fsu.edu