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Alcohol Risk Reduction

Alcohol use has a significant impact on college campuses, and UHS addresses it through a number of services, both as an individual health concern and as a campus issue. We work to support the UW-Madison campus goal to be an environment where use of alcohol does not prevent students from realizing their highest potential of intellectual, physical and human development. For more resources and services, see the navigation links at left.

  • UHS presenters talk about unsafe alcohol use to all parents and incoming students attending SOAR. They encourage students to educate themselves about alcohol and its effects and urge parents to open an ongoing dialogue about drinking with their students.
  • UHS prevention staff members initiate and support efforts to prevent harm associated with high-risk alcohol use, and to reduce the risk to both individuals and the campus community. These efforts include education about the relationship among consumption, impairment and blood alcohol content; continuing education for faculty and staff; and support for student-led prevention work.
  • Students who come to UHS for all types of medical appointments are routinely screened for problematic alcohol use and depression. Medical providers are alert to the possibility that injuries from falls or fights could indicate that alcohol is an underlying cause, and they discuss this with patients.
  • Students who are concerned about their use of alcohol, or that of a friend, can contact UHS Counseling and Consultation Services at 608-265-5600 (option 2). Both individual and group counseling options are available, as well as Alcohol and Other Drug Assessments.
  • Students are encouraged to use the online e-CHUG quiz to evaluate their drinking , including how it compares with others on campus. Why does this matter? We find that students who get into trouble with alcohol are often overestimating how much other students are drinking and making false assumptions about what's expected of them.

Campus Policies and Procedures

UHS strongly supports UW–Madison’s commitment to a climate of safe and legal alcohol use, and we work together with such campus partners as the UW Police Department, the Wisconsin Union Directorate, Athletics, the Division of Student Life (formerly Dean of Students office), and University Housing to support consistent and responsible alcohol policies and procedures. The UHS Executive Director co-chairs the Chancellor’s Alcohol Group with the UW-Madison Dean of Students.

New Website on Alcohol Facts for Students
Most students at UW-Madison don't get into trouble with alcohol, and we want to help students keep that number as low as possible. The more you understand about safe alcohol use, the less likely you are to get into legal, medical, or academic trouble as a result of high-risk behavior.

The Chancelor's Alcohol Policy Group created the website, Alcohol Facts For Students, to increase transparency about UW's policies and practices and the guiding principles behind them.

A Community Concern

UHS also contributes to the ongoing work toward safe, legal, and responsible alcohol use in our larger community in a number of ways, including: