Spit for Science is a university-wide research study focused on understanding genetic and environmental influences on alcohol and other drug use, as well as related mental health outcomes, among college students (Dick et al., 2014). For four years (so far) we invited all incoming freshmen age 18 or older to complete an on-line survey and give a DNA sampleii. We mail information about the project to all incoming freshman students, and separately to their parents, over the summer, and links to the online surveys are sent to the students’ university e-mail accounts approximately one week before they arrive on campus. We collect broad-based information in our surveys on many topics related to behavioral and emotional health, ranging from substance use and mental health challenges, to areas such as sleep, well-being, mindfulness, parental and romantic relationships, e-cigarettes, discrimination, and more. We put out a broad call for faculty across the university to contribute item content, with >30 faculty contributing original item content, and >60 faculty working with the data. In this way, the project is a resource for faculty and trainees
