Decisions: Alcohol & Other Drug Awareness is an online course that educates students about the impacts of alcohol and provides them with the information to make healthy decisions.
All incoming degree-seeking undergraduate students—including first-year and transfer students—must complete Decisions: Alcohol & Other Drug Awareness. The program consists of two parts, both of which must be completed.
Responses to Decisions: Alcohol & Other Drug Awareness are strictly confidential; UW–Madison will only receive data about the student body as a whole. We will never see your individual answers.
Contact
Deadlines
In early August, students will receive a message in their Canvas account to let them know Decision: Alcohol & Other Drug Awareness is available and provide details on how to access the program.
For incoming fall 2026 students:
- Part 1 must completed by August 27, 2026, with a passing grade of 70 percent or higher. The program takes approximately 45 minutes to complete.
- Part 2 will be available in Canvas starting on September 21, 2026. You will receive an email to complete Part 2, which takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. The deadline to complete Part 2 is October 16, 2026.
Get started
- Go to canvas.wisc.edu and sign on with your NetID and password.
- Select the ‘Courses’ tab.
- Click on Fall 2026 Decisions: Alcohol & Other Drug Awareness Course to access the course.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Who should complete Decisions: Alcohol & Other Drug Awareness?
All incoming, degree-seeking undergraduate students (first year and transfer) are required to complete Decisions: Alcohol & Other Drug Awareness.
Why am I being asked to take this course?
UW-Madison is committed to giving students the tools to practice safer and healthier choices. Decisions: Alcohol and Other Drug Awareness provides participants with a common baseline of knowledge and awareness of alcohol issues, and strengthens a shared set of campus norms and expectations around alcohol use.
View the policy in the Undergraduate Catalogue.
Who is required to complete this course?
All incoming, degree-seeking undergraduate students (first year and transfer) are required to complete Decisions: Alcohol & Other Drug Awareness. Failure to complete this course will result in a hold on your academic record for registration the following semester.
I don't drink; do I still need to complete this course?
Yes. While many students at UW-Madison do not drink, they will likely encounter other students who drink or talk about drinking. The course provides information about navigating a campus where some students drink as well as responding effectively in situations where others are at risk of alcohol-related harm (e.g. alcohol poisoning, potential drinking and driving).
I am a transfer student—do I need to complete this course?
Yes. Even though you may be of legal drinking age or have already considered your drinking behaviors, we expect you to complete the program because:
- You may learn from the program or rethink some of your attitudes and behaviors about alcohol;
- Your academics and social life may be affected by students whose drinking attitudes are less well-established than yours;
- As a new or returning student, you are responsible, as we all are, for helping maintain the health and safety of our campus.
I'm a transfer student and I already completed Decisions: Alcohol & Other Drugs Awareness at my previous school. Do I need to complete it again?
If you completed Decisions: Alcohol & Other Drug Awareness at your previous college, you will need to send verification to aodprevention@uhs.wisc.edu to prove that you have completed the course. The course must be Decisions: Alcohol & Other Drug Awareness. Even if the course you took was similar, you may not use it as a substitute. If you send verification that you have previously taken Decisions: Alcohol & Other Drug Awareness and have taken it within one year, then you may be granted an exemption from the course.
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I'm already 21—do I have to take the course?
If you are an incoming undergraduate (first-year or transfer) or if you are returning and will live in University Residence Halls, you are expected to complete the course. Decisions: Alcohol & Other Drug Awareness provides information about coping with others’ drinking behavior as well as responding effectively in situations where others are at risk of alcohol-related harm (e.g. alcohol poisoning, potential drinking and driving).
Exemptions may be made on a case-by-case basis for students age 25 and over.
My religious beliefs forbid alcohol use. Why do I have to do this?
One of the purposes of the program is to provide the entire incoming class with a shared baseline of knowledge and awareness of alcohol issues, and to strengthen a shared set of campus norms and expectations around alcohol use. Even if you cannot drink, it’s very likely that during your college experience you will know others who do. Alcohol use could be a topic of discussion among classmates; the program includes material on managing peer pressure and what to do if one of your classmates drinks to the point of medical emergency.
Does this course count for court-mandated education?
No, Decisions: Alcohol & Other Drug Awareness does not meet requirements for court mandated education. If you have questions about the court/university mandated sanctions process, please contact the Office of Student Assistance and Support at 608-263-5700.
Do I need to take the entire program at once?
No. You may log in and out of the course at the end of each section. Section ends are marked with a “Next” button. DO NOT log out until you click the “Next” button or you will have to repeat the section you have just gone through. Note: Once you start the exam however, you need to complete it in one sitting. If you log out during the exam, the program will assume you are complete and will assign a grade.
Can I get in trouble for my answers on the surveys?
All individual answers are kept confidential and we are unable to see how individual students answer each question. UW–Madison will be able to see the collective data of the student body, but not specific responses. Students will NOT be penalized for any answers on the survey portion of Decisions: Alcohol & Other Drug Awareness.
What happens if I do not pass the exam?
You will need to retake the exam until you receive a passing grade of 70%. Part 1 is only completed after you have received a passing grade.
I missed the deadline—what do I do?
Email us at aodprevention@uhs.wisc.edu and start the program as soon as possible.