What is amnesty through responsible action?

A program that serves to remove or reduce punitive consequences faced by students in violation of nonacademic misconduct policies.


Safety is first and foremost. As a UW–Madison community member, we expect students to demonstrate the utmost care and concern for themselves and others in a medical emergency or crisis, particularly in circumstances involving alcohol or other drugs.

How does amnesty work?

Amnesty Through Responsible Action allows the student who required medical assistance to receive medical attention without a violation of UWS 17 and/or UWS 18.

It also removes violations for those who assisted the student in need.

Deciding whether to call 911 is not always easy. Even if you’re not sure, play it safe and make the call.

Who qualifies for amnesty?

Caller

Contact University Police

  1. Get help: In medical emergencies, immediate action should be taken by calling University Police at 911.
  2. Stay with the person until help arrives and you have been told your assistance is no longer needed.
  3. Cooperate with responding staff or emergency personnel, including all requests for information and assistance.

Email Student Conduct and Community Standards

Email conduct@studentaffairs.wisc.edu and provide a detailed description of the incident, including date, time, location, and involved parties.

Person needing medical attention

When a student requires emergency evaluation and/or treatment at a medical facility for an overdose of alcohol and/or other drugs, the student will be required to meet with a staff member from the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (OSCCS) to discuss the incident and to connect with appropriate resources and support.

If the student qualifies for the program:

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They will not receive official sanctions

  1. They will not receive official sanctions through the disciplinary procedures outlined in UWS 17 and/or UWS 18 provided they complete the following:
    • Attend an appropriate alcohol and other drug (AOD) educational program/intervention (e.g. BASICS, CASICS, AOD assessment and evaluation)
    • Comply with recommendations set forth by AOD provider
    • Complete any other educational recommendations from the OSCCS staff member
    • Complete any necessary follow-up meetings with OSCCS

UW-Madison Police will pause citations

UW-Madison Police will pause underage alcohol and/or other drug citations until the student completes the OSCCS requirements. OSCCS staff will then notify UW–Madison Police when the obligations have been met.

Parent or guardian is contacted

Per the University Parental/Guardian Involvement Policy, a parent or guardian is contacted when a student is transported to Detox/Emergency Room for overdoses of alcohol and/or other drugs.

Consistent with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), parents or legal guardians may be notified that their student was found responsible for disciplinary violation(s) of applicable law or policies governing the use or possession of alcohol or controlled substance(s) with respect to any such use or possession if the student is under the age of 21 at the time of disclosure to the parents, and/or whenever the university, in its discretion, determines such notification is necessary for the purpose of the health or safety interests, and/or as otherwise permitted by applicable law. It is strongly recommended that students inform their parents or guardians of all incidents of conduct violations.

Report an incident

Bias Concern

Including slurs, degrading language, epithets, graffiti, symbols, assault, microagressions, and harassment.

Report A Bias Concern

Hazing

Any activity that a person is expected to join or participate in that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers regardless of willingness to participate.

Report hazing

Other Incidents

This could include a student that you are concerned about, hazing, stalking, or a missing student.

Report Other Incidents

What does Amnesty not cover?

Amnesty does not apply to:

  • Students that exhibit a pattern of problematic behavior with alcohol and/or other drugs
  • Supplying of alcohol or other drugs
  • Serious violations of student conduct policies including, but not limited to, the UW-Madison Policy on Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence
  • Student behavior that involves other UWS 17 and/or UWS 18 violations

Failure to call for help in alcohol and/or other drug-related emergencies is a serious matter. The university will take this into consideration when disciplining students who violate nonacademic conduct (UWS 17 and/or UWS 18) during the incident.

Student and professor having a conversation

Sanctions

The mission of UW–Madison can be realized only when its teaching, learning, research, and service activities occur in living and learning environments that are safe and free from violence, harassment, fraud, theft, disruption, and intimidation. In promoting such environments, the university has a responsibility to address student academic and nonacademic misconduct.

Sanctions can range based on the violation and may foster an opportunity for the student to reflect on their decisions and identify future behaviors that are consistent with university and community expectations.

Sanctions

Contact

Student Conduct and Community Standards Contacts

How can we help?

Email us at:
conduct@studentaffairs.wisc.edu

Phone:
608-263-5701

Fax:
608-265-4656

Line art image of Bascom Hall at the University of Wisconsin–Madison

Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards
724 W. Johnson Street
Madison, WI 53715


Office Hours
Monday-Friday: 8:00am - 4:30pm

After Hours Contacts

Crisis response:
Call Mental Health Services
608-265-5600 (option 9)
Emergencies:
Dial 911 for immediate help from the
UW Police Department
UWPD Non-emergency line: 608-264-2677