Drug Free Schools & Communities

Biennial Review Process

This biennial review covers the period from January 2022 to August 2024 and examines academic years 2022-2023 and 2023-2024. The review process began May 2024 and ended August 2024. Information and data were collected from the Dean of Students and the Student Life Office, the University Police department, Residence Life, the Student Health Center, and Human Resources to be compiled and approved by the committee members before being reviewed and approved by the Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Dr. James Beeby. Biennial reviews are kept by Wellness & Health Advocacy, and any individual may request a copy by emailing the Student Wellness Coordinator at wellness@uwlax.edu.

Annual Policy Notification Process

The Student Right to Know and Campus Security Act became effective on November 8, 1990. The law requires disclosure, by October 1, of criminal activity on campus during the previous three years, as available, and annual distribution to all students and staff. Included in the report are current statistics on campus for liquor law violations, drug misuse violations, and other information that supplements the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act.

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse distributes the Annual Security Report & the Annual Fire Safety Report to students, faculty, and staff via email by October 1 of each year. The Annual Security Report contains the policies that govern alcohol and other drugs in addition to the current Drug-Free Schools and Communities Biennial Review. When a new biennial review is published and approved it is distributed to students, faculty, and staff via email alongside the Annual Security Report. Any individual may request a printed copy of the Annual Security Report or the current Drug-Free Schools and Communities Biennial Review at the Student Life Office (Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) in 149 Graff Main Hall at 1725 State Street, La Crosse, Wisconsin 54601 or by emailing studentlife@uwlax.edu. 

2022-2024 Biennial Review Committee Members

Isabella Beach, Committee Chair, Student Wellness Coordinator

Amanda Abrahamson, Assistant Dean of Students

Kara Ostlund, Dean of Students and Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

Zach Moffet, Coordinator of Student Conduct

Allen Hill, Chief of University Police

Lisa Weston, Associate Director of Residence Life

Ben Crenshaw and Tara Miller, Student Health Center Operations Management

Carri O’Melia, Assistant Director of Human Resources

Alcohol and Other Drug Violations

UWL records alcohol and other drug violations, in addition to impacts on student well-being following substance use. The following record contains all violations reported to campus, regardless of geography, for the biennial review period:

Assessment Data

UWL utilizes the National College Health Assessment (NCHA), administered by the American College Health Association, to assess student well-being and develop programs and services. The NCHA is administered in the spring of every third year (2018, 2021, 2024). The following record contains findings from the 2024 survey:

Substance use in the last 3 months:

Estimated blood alcohol concentration (BAC):

Estimated BAC is a figure based on the reported number of drinks consumed during the last time they drank alcohol in a social setting, approximate time of consumption, sex, weight, and the average rate of ethanol metabolism. Only students who reported drinking alcohol withing the last three (3) months answered these questions.

Reported number of times students consumed five or more drinks in a sitting (among those who reported drinking within the last two weeks):

Students who drank alcohol in the last 12 months reported experiencing the following:

Case Jurisdiction

The Student Life Office and Residence Life adjudicate policy violations made by UWL students based on the following conditions:

• If a student is cited in a residence hall and they live on campus, Residence Life will adjudicate the case.
• If a student is cited in a residence hall and they do not live on campus, the Student Life Office will adjudicate the case.
• If a student is cited on campus but not in a residence hall, the Student Life Office will adjudicate the case.
• If a student is cited off campus, a referral is made to the Student Life Office for review and adjudication.
• University Police have campus-wide jurisdiction. 

Policy Inventory

At UWL, the student conduct process is grounded in fundamental fairness and education. The student conduct process focuses on assessing the impact of an individual's behavior on the learning environment for all as a means of facilitating student growth, learning, and development. Our guiding philosophy at UWL is that mistakes can be invaluable learning opportunities for students as we work together to cultivate a safe community for all students, staff, faculty, and campus guests. In cultivating that community, UWL has a responsibility to address student misconduct and to enforce the policies that govern alcohol and other drugs. A complete policy inventory is outlined below: 

• Wisconsin Administrative Code UWS 17 

• Wisconsin Administrative Code UWS 18 

• Human Resources Drug-Free Workplace Policy 

• Responsible Action Policy 

• University Centers Alcohol Policy 

• Tailgating Policy 

• Business Services Policy on Alcohol Purchases 

As a member institution of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse shares the responsibility to preserve order, encourage ethical and responsible behavior, and to outline standards of conduct for student athletes. As a condition of team membership, student athletes must comply with the policies and procedures of the NCAA, the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletics Conference, and the intercollegiate athletics program, in addition to being subject to the rules and regulations of their specific team. Student athletes represent UWL, the intercollegiate athletics program, and their team always; they are expected to conduct themselves in a conscientious manner, act in accordance with general university policies, and conform to all federal, state, and local laws. 

Sanctions

Students are entitled to due process rights under UWS Chapter 17, and the guidelines below outline the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse’s general response to student misconduct. These are sanctioning guidelines for typical violations; however, each incident is adjudicated on a case-by-case basis and severe violations may result in more serious sanctions. 

After repeated offenses or extreme behavior by UWL students residing on campus, housing contract cancellation may be considered. If a housing contract is cancelled, the case will be referred to the Student Life Office with a recommendation that the student's status be reviewed. 

Wellness & Health Advocacy

Wellness & Health Advocacy is a functional unit of the Student Life Office that provides UWL with culturally competent health education, health promotion programming, alcohol and other drug interventions, and community engagement. The department is overseen by the Student Wellness Coordinator. This is a full-time, 11-month position devoted to coordinating
campus prevention activities, providing educational presentations, and developing programs and resources. The Student Wellness Coordinator acts as the liaison to the Universities of Wisconsin AOD Coordinators group and is responsible for strategic planning regarding AODA prevention.

Additional staff for Wellness & Health Advocacy include the Peer Health Advocates (PHAs) and a Public Health and Community Health Education Preceptee when available. The PHAs are student employees who translate their passion for well-being into comprehensive educational programming focused on health-related decision making. They engage in health advocacy and encourage their peers to participate in AOD interventions and educational opportunities. Occasionally, Wellness & Health Advocacy sponsors a Preceptee from the Public Health and Community Health Education department in the completion of their undergraduate degree. This student is responsible for working alongside the Student Wellness Coordinator.

Interventions for the Individual

• AlcoholEdu for College is a web-based, interactive learning experience that is required for all incoming new students both first year and transfer. It is designed to equip students with essential knowledge about alcohol and other substances by empowering them with the skills to stay safe and protect their peers by dispelling common myths about drinking. In doing so, the program aims to foster a healthier, more informed campus.
• AlcoholEDU for Sanctions is a web-based, interactive learning experience that is
  required for students with a first offense alcohol violation. It is designed to help
  students evaluate their current choices related to alcohol. It teaches students about the effects of alcohol on the body and mind, while assisting them in making safer and healthier decisions. The training administration is overseen by the Student Wellness Coordinator and the Student Life Office.
• Marijuana 101 is a web-based, cannabis use education and prevention training used in sanctioning for students with a first offense drug violation. The course is designed to address how marijuana affects health and mental illness and covers state laws. The training administration is overseen by the Student Wellness Coordinator and the Student Life Office.
• Alcohol and Marijuana eCHECKUP To Go is a web-based, personalized feedback
  assessment that utilizes an interactive, multimedia format to engage students in alcohol and other drug education and behavior modification. The eCHECKUP To Go is used as an assessment tool with the BASICS and CASICS programs. The Alcohol eCHECKUP To Go is recognized by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) as high ranking in effectiveness and NASPA, Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education recognizes eCHECKUP To Go as an evidence-based approach. The assessment administration is overseen by the Student Wellness Coordinator.
• Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students (BASICS) is a two-session alcohol use assessment and education program offered for self-referral to all UWL students who want to explore their substance use. BASICS is most often used by students completing a required sanction following an alcohol-related offense. This program is based on Motivational Interviewing and is designed to assist students in examining their drinking behaviors and learning risk reduction strategies in a judgement-free environment. The National Institutes of Health recognizes BASICS as an evidence-based approach. The Student Wellness Coordinator facilitates BASICS.
• Cannabis Screening and Intervention for College Students (CASICS) is a two-session assessment and education program offered for self-referral to all UWL students who want to explore their relationship with cannabis. CASICS is most often used by students completing a required sanction following a drug-related offense. This program is based on Motivational Interviewing and is designed to assist students in examining their substance use and learning risk reduction strategies in a judgements-free environment. The Student Wellness Coordinator facilitates CASICS.
• Alcohol and Other Drug General Assessments are assigned to UWL students by the Student Life Office following the sanctioning guidelines. An AODA Counselor from Coulee Recovery Center gathers information about the student’s substance use and other health concerns and helps to identify sources of support, consequences from substance use, and changes necessary to make positive decisions.
• Clinical staff at the Student Health Center partner with the UWL Counseling & Testing Center for referrals, assessments, and interventions related to students’ substance use on an as needed basis. Referrals are made at the discretion of clinical staff.
• Human Resources supports a drug-free workplace and assists in providing resources for employees through leave options and the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) as needed. The EAP is free, confidential, and offers counseling and cessation programs for substance use. Additionally, the Drug-Free Workplace Policy provides general parameters within which various campus units may formulate rules and regulations.

Group Interventions

• Alcohol Safety and Bystander Intervention Training (GAMMA) for the Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL) community at UWL is facilitated by Wellness & Health Advocacy and Violence Prevention once a semester. Panhellenic bylaws for FSL state that 75% of attendance shall be met by each chapter at each training to ensure continued education and skills practice. Alcohol Safety and Bystander Intervention Training is also available for request by registered student organizations, club sports teams, athletic teams, or other campus groups.
• Eagles @ Nite is a Friday night program sponsored by University Centers. Every week the program is free, open to all students, and provides a wide range of activities. While not explicitly advertised as an alcohol-alternative program, Eagles @ Nite is intentionally designed to offer an alcohol-free space on nights when underage and/or high-risk substance use is likely to occur.
• Risk reduction programming facilitated by Wellness & Health Advocacy includes past and ongoing events: RECtoberfest, the Root Beer Kegger, Spring Break Send Off, and activities that utilize impairment goggles.
  • RECtoberfest is an alcohol-free event hosted by UWL Recreational Sports. It has been held on the Friday of Oktoberfest, an annual celebration in La Crosse that instigates harmful drinking behaviors. The Peer Health Advocates collaborate with Recreational Sports and the Campus Activities Board to offer an alcohol- free space. Wellness & Health Advocacy is specifically responsible for providing education and resources related to safer drinking strategies.
  • During the week of Oktoberfest, Residence Life, the Peer Health Advocates, and Violence Prevention host the annual Root Beer Kegger. This event encourages students in campus housing to socialize in an alcohol-free space while learning about bystander intervention and safer substance use.
  • Spring Break Send Off is held the week before UWL’s spring recess and offers students an opportunity to learn safety information in a fun and supportive environment. Wellness & Health Advocacy brings together campus stakeholders (i.e., University Police, Violence Prevention) to educate students about topics relevant to spring break behaviors, such as bystander intervention, safer substance use, sexual health, physical well-being, and disease prevention.
  • University Police and Wellness & Health Advocacy utilize impairment goggles in risk reduction programming. The Peer Health Advocates use alcohol simulation goggles when facilitating “Drunk Goggles Challenges” at programs and events. These challenges ask students to perform tasks while wearing alcohol simulation goggles and incorporate opportunities for education and change talk.
• University Police offers Diversion Programs for alcohol and marijuana. The Diversion Programs offer students with liquor or drug law violations an opportunity for education in lieu of court imposed penalties and record. Program requirements are published on the University Police Department website.

Environmental Programs

• In collaboration with Wisconsin Voices for Recovery, UWL installed Nalox-Zone boxes in all 10 residence halls, the Recreational Eagle Center, and the University Police office. Each box contains two Narcan nasal sprays, rescue breathing masks, and instructions. The Nalox-Zone boxes are designed to offer harm reduction resources and life saving measures to all students, staff, faculty, and campus visitors. Additional safety measures include Narcan training offered by University Police, Narcan training for residence hall staff by Residence Life, and every University Police officer on duty carries Narcan in case of emergency.
• Fentanyl test strips, provided by University Police and the La Crosse County Health Department, and instructions for use are available at the front desk of all 10 residence halls. This resource promotes harm reduction in on-campus housing.
• The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse's Campus Assessment Response and Evaluation (CARE) Team mission is to provide a proactive and supportive multidisciplinary team approach to the management, assessment, and intervention of situations or individuals that may pose a threat to the safety and well-being of the University community. The CARE Team discusses student concerns and provides appropriate interventions.
• Minds Matter is a focused public health approach to promoting mental health and UWL’s 2023-2026 Quality Initiative associated with accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission. Minds Matter focuses on enhancing student success through increased attention to a healthy campus environment. Alongside the steering committee, the Student Wellness Coordinator integrates mental health promotion with substance use prevention, education, and intervention.
• Alliance to Heal brings public, private, nonprofit, and philanthropic organizations in the La Crosse area together to improve the well-being of individuals impacted by substance use and addiction. The Prevention & Education Workgroup seeks to prevent or delay substance use and address the root causes of addiction; the workgroup focuses on parent education and youth prevention. The Harm Reduction Workgroup aims to reduce the spread of communicable diseases, prevent overdose deaths, and reduce stigma associated with substance use disorders. The Treatment & Recovery Workgroup seeks to improve the physical and emotional well-being of people who use or have used substances. The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is represented by the Student Wellness Coordinator, University Police, and student members.
• The Universities of Wisconsin recognize the importance of addressing alcohol and other drug use on its campuses to minimize negative impacts on the educational pursuits and well-being of its students. Each campus has an AOD Misuse Prevention Coordinator who collaborates with campus and community partners to implement and evaluate evidence-based policies, programs, and services. AOD Misuse Prevention Coordinators meet once a month to share systemwide updates and collaborate.
• During Oktoberfest, Wellness & Health Advocacy and the Student Life Office utilize the OkSOBERfest webpage to educate students and families about bystander intervention and safer drinking strategies. This webpage is a centralized location for emergency resources, alcohol-free programming, and policies that students are expected to follow.

Goals and objectives are set for each biennium to track and determine the effectiveness of policies, programs, and interventions on the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse campus. The following goals were set by the review committee in 2022:

1. Renew focus on environmental management strategies within the larger La Crosse community.
2. Target prevention education to specific student groups, such as athletes and fraternity and sorority members.
3. Coordinate efforts with campus partners to plan, implement, and evaluate educational alcohol-free campus wide events.
4. Analyze the impact of alcohol and other drug use on both student mental health and student academic success. 

Goal Progress from 2022

1. Environmental Management
   1. University Police and the La Crosse Police Department have identified problematic local establishments and off-campus areas.
   2. There is an increase in citations for serving underage individuals.
2. Prevention Education for Specific Student Groups
   1. FSL participates in Alcohol Safety and Bystander Intervention Training.
3. Coordinated Programming
   1. Wellness & Health Advocacy maintains strong relationships with Violence Prevention, Residence Life, University Centers and student organizations, the Student Health Center, the Office of Multicultural Student Services, the Recreational Eagle Center, the Pride Center, University Police, Student Support Services, the Counseling & Testing Center, the ACCESS Center, the Leadership & Involvement Center, and other valuable campus partners.
4. Impact on Mental Health and Academic Success
   1. Minds Matter connects UWL’s mental health initiative with substance use.
   2. The Student Life Office reviewed the average cumulative GPAs and academic majors of students in violation of AOD policies for the biennial review period. 

Average cumulative GPAs:

Alcohol and drug charges by academic college/school:

Strengths

• University Police maintain a strong, positive presence on campus through community policing.
• Residence Life restricts guest access to residence halls during Oktoberfest, reducing the number of people on campus during this city-wide event.
• Risk reduction programming is highly collaborative; Wellness & Health Advocacy positions campus partnerships at the forefront of effective and inclusive AOD education.
• Through peer-to-peer education, the Peer Health Advocates foster welcoming, non-judgmental, and inclusive environments for students to learn about the risks of substance use, AOD policies, and strategies for healthy decision making.

Weaknesses

• Turnover of front-line staff (Residence Hall Directors, University Police officers, Peer Health Advocates) and staffing challenges in the Student Life Office limit unit functions.
• The city of La Crosse does not have an alcohol recovery center or sobering cell, requiring students to recover from intoxication in the emergency department or at home.
• Reactive programming and interventions are more common than proactive programming.

Opportunities

• Alongside other Universities of Wisconsin campuses, UWL continues to administer the NCHA every three years and data collection offers continued opportunities for assessment of programs and new development.
• Annual review of AOD policies by the Dean of Students ensures that policies remain aligned with best practices and that programming, sanctions, and interventions support university policies.
• Human Resources at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is relaunching their
  employee newsletter; the newsletter is a potential communication pathway for sharing policies, resources, and programming opportunities with UWL employees.
• The UWL Student Association will oversee Operation Riverwatch, a volunteer program that seeks to prevent alcohol-related injuries and deaths from accidental drowning in the Mississippi River, in the future. This program cultivates a stronger sense of social responsibility and safety amidst La Crosse's drinking culture.

Threats

• The city of La Crosse has a notably high number of establishments that serve alcohol and maintains a strong drinking culture that supports high-risk, off-campus drinking.
• Oktoberfest, La Crosse’s annual festival celebrating German heritage, instigates harmful drinking behaviors.
• Trends among liquor law violations include an increase in average blood alcohol
  concentration for students and an increase in citations for operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

In reviewing the biennial achievement of goals, the SWOT analysis, and the assessment data, the review committee seeks to facilitate the accomplishment of the following goals in the next biennium:

• Expand environmental management strategies by collaborating with University Police and the La Crosse Police Department on prevention, education, and enforcement.
• Increase student awareness and understanding of AOD policies and the conduct process by training stakeholders, revising the Student Handbook with an emphasis on readability and usability, and integrating policy education with risk reduction programming.
• Target academic departments and student organizations in preventive education and risk reduction programming.
  • Perform outreach to academic departments in the College of Business Administration; perform outreach to student organizations that recruit students from the College of Business Administration.
• Explore opportunities for expanding subject matter of group interventions and
  environmental programs on campus.
• Develop risk reduction programming focused on cannabis use.

In addition to these goals, the review committee recommends the following for the next biennium:

• Continued collaboration by the review committee and other stakeholders
• Regular communication between review committee members during the biennium
• Strategic use of the HR newsletter for educating staff and faculty
• Strategic use of other communication pathways for sharing information with the campus community, including parents and guardians
• Needs assessment to determine if recovery groups should be reinstated on campus
• Social marketing campaigns to target La Crosse’s drinking culture
• Continued integration of AOD interventions at the Student Health Center and the Counseling & Testing Center

The Universities of Wisconsin and the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse prohibit the unlawful possession, use, distribution, manufacture, sale, or dispensing of alcohol and illegal drugs by students and employees on university property or as part of university activities. It is illegal to procure for, sell, dispense, or give away alcohol to anyone who has not reached the legal drinking age of 21 years, and is unaccompanied by a parent, spouse, or guardian who has reached the legal drinking age of 21 years. It is illegal for anyone who has not reached the legal drinking age of 21 years and is unaccompanied by a parent, spouse, or guardian who has reached the legal drinking age of 21 years to procure, possess, or consume alcoholic beverages, subject to exceptions.

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Police Department enforce all local, state, and federal laws regarding the possession, use, distribution, manufacture, sale, or dispensing of alcoholic beverages on institution property and at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse-sponsored activities, including underage drinking. The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Police Department enforce all local, state, and federal laws regarding the possession, use, distribution, manufacture, sale, or dispensing of illegal drugs on institutional property and University of Wisconsin-La Crosse-sponsored activities. The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse expects all students, employees, and visitors to comply with all local, state, and federal alcohol and drug laws. Members of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse community who violate local, state, or federal drug and alcohol laws, or who violate University of Wisconsin-La Crosse or Universities of Wisconsin policies regarding drug and alcohol sale, use, or possession may face criminal and/or disciplinary sanctions.

UWS 18.09(1), Wisconsin Administrative Code, prohibits the use or possession of alcoholic beverages on all university premises except as specifically permitted by institutional regulations. The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse has developed specific institutional regulations to permit the use and possession of alcoholic beverages by individuals above the minimum legal drinking age. Students and employees who fail to comply with University of Wisconsin-La Crosse regulations are subject to disciplinary action.

This policy covers the possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages by any individual on institutional lands, at institutional facilities, and at all institutional events. This policy is applicable to events held both on and off campus, including those held in other municipalities, states, and nations.

The following activities are not permitted under 21 years of age:

• Possessing and/or consuming alcoholic beverages. State law prohibits the possession or consumption of alcohol by persons under 21.
• Possessing or displaying empty alcohol containers. Students are not allowed to have empty alcohol containers, defined as cans, bottles, caps, boxes used for transportation, or items with alcohol residue.

The following activities are not permitted at 21 years of age and older:

• Providing alcoholic beverages to students under the age of 21
• Transporting unconcealed alcoholic beverages and/or consuming alcoholic beverages in public areas within the residence halls
• Having more than one open standard alcoholic beverage per of age occupant
• Consuming alcohol in the presence of minors. In the event one roommate is 21 years old or older while the other is not, the student who is of legal drinking age may consume alcohol in their room but may not provide alcoholic beverages to those under the age of 21. Guests who are of legal drinking age may consume alcohol only if the student who is 21 years of age or older is present and if each individual of legal drinking age possesses only one alcoholic beverage (UWL enforces the Wisconsin law of underage drinking).

Residence Life honors UWL’s Responsible Action Policy, which encourages students to report medical emergencies. Learn more about Residence Life policies and procedures.