Alcohol & drug-related conduct

It is important for students to understand the expectations of them during their careers at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. It is the students' responsibility to take appropriate measure to understand the code of conduct, as well as their rights and responsibilities. Here, you will find information about federal and state laws, UW System and UW-La Crosse regulations, policies and procedures.

UWL Student Handbook - for all students at UW-La Crosse. For information related to alcohol and drug-related conduct, review the entire document and see Non-academic Misconduct (Chapter UWS 17), Conduct on University Land (Chapter UWS 18), and Standards and Sanctions. 

Office of Residence Life Code of Student Conduct - for students living in the residence halls. For information related to alcohol and drug-related conduct, review the entire document and see Sections 7, 8 and 17. 

Drug Free Schools and Communities   

• Drug Free Schools and Communities Act. The purpose of the Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities act is to support programs that: (1) prevent violence in and around schools; (2) prevent the illegal use of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs; (3) involve parents and communities; and (4) are coordinated with related Federal, State, school, and community efforts and resources to foster a safe and drug-free learning environment that promotes student academic achievement. 

View the 2022-2024 UWL Drug Free Schools and Communities Report.

Alcohol and Other Drug Related Conduct Sanctions

Conduct sanctions related to alcohol and other drug prevention and education are administered through web-based tutorials or by the Wellness Coordinator and a team of trained practitioners. Education-based sanctions are used whenever possible, allowing our students to learn in a supportive environment as they navigate the consequences of their decisions and actions.  

• SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment). Utilized by substance abuse specialists, counselors, therapists, and social workers all over the country, SBIRT is a brief, evidence-driven protocol for having a conversation about substance use. During conduct meetings for drug and/or alcohol related conduct violations, the AUDIT-10 and/or DAST-10 screening tools are administered. Results are reviewed by the student and conduct officer in order to put the students substance use into perspective. Review is followed by a brief motivational interview session. SBIRT is a quick, easy way to provide a brief intervention to our students with regards to substance use. For more information, visit this link. 
• AlcoholEdu. AlcoholEdu is an online program that provides awareness and prevention education about drug and alcohol use and abuse. The program targets 18- to 24-year-old college students, a population with a high incidence of reported binge drinking and related health risks, and can be implemented as a web-based health resource or an educational course. 
• BASICS/CASICS. Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students (BASICS) and Cannabis Screening and Intervention for College Students (CASICS) are prevention programs for students who use substances in a risky manner and for those who have experienced or are at risk for substance-related problems. Following a harm-reduction approach, BASICS and CASICS aim to motivate students to reduce alcohol use in order to decrease the negative consequences of substance use. They are delivered over the course of two one-hour interviews with a brief online assessment survey taken by the student during the first session. BASICS and CASICS are programs indicated in SAMHSA's National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices. 
• Subsequent Alcohol and Other Drug Education Sanctions. When a student has completed the BASICS/CASICS programs previously and is found in violation of alcohol and/or other drug related conduct, referrals are made for additional in-depth, one-on-one interventions. Some referrals are made to the Wellness Coordinator for additional follow-up, intervention and education through motivational interviewing, and some are made to community organizations for alcohol assessments done by licensed practitioners. Current referral partners include Coulee Council on Addictions, Gundersen Health System, and Mayo Health System. Additional referrals may be made to UWL Counseling and Testing and the UWL Student Health Center.