Policies: Responsible Action Guidelines

Guiding Principle

When a person's life is in danger due to alcohol consumption, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire students are expected to seek immediate assistance, including calling 9-1-1. The purpose of these guidelines is to foster student responsibility and learning, while simultaneously ensuring the safety of our students and community.

These guidelines apply only to disciplinary actions related to the caller's personal consumption of alcohol. They do not apply to supplying of alcohol, use or possession of other drugs illegally, or other crimes, and they may not apply to students involved in repeated violations of university alcohol policies.

Scope of Guidelines

1. Victims of Crime - In those cases where a student has been a victim of sexual assault and/or a violent crime while under the influence of alcohol, the Dean of Students, Housing & Residence Life, and UW-Eau Claire Police will not pursue disciplinary actions against the student victim for his or her improper use of alcohol (e.g., underage drinking). A student victim who is under the influence of alcohol at the time of a sexual assault and/or a violent crime is strongly encouraged to utilize university and community assistance.

2. Person in Need of Medical Attention - When a student requires emergency evaluation and/or treatment at a medical facility for an overdose of alcohol, that student, as part of a disciplinary response, may be required to complete an alcohol assessment and/or education program in addition to other disciplinary action from the University. There may be a charge incurred if the student has an assessment and for some education programs. In addition, a parental/guardian may be contacted when a student is transported to an emergency room for overdoses of alcohol.

3. Caller - When a student calls on behalf of an individual who requires emergency evaluation, the caller will not be subject to disciplinary actions under the Blugold Code nor sanctions from Housing & Residence Life for his or her personal consumption of alcohol (e.g., underage drinking), if the following conditions are met:

• The caller must remain with the impaired individual until assistance arrives.
• The caller must fully cooperate with emergency responders and;
• The caller must complete any education programs assigned by the Office of the Dean of Students and/or Housing & Residence Life.

The student-caller may incur charges for participation in required education programs. Additionally, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Police typically declines to cite a student for his or her personal consumption of alcohol (e.g. underage drinking) if these conditions are met.

4. Student Organizations - A representative of a student organization hosting an event is expected to promptly call for assistance if they become aware of an emergency. Failure to call will be considered an "aggravating circumstance" and will be factored into consideration for further disciplinary action through the Student Organization Conduct Committee misconduct process.