Update: University codifying drug and alcohol violations

STEVENS POINT – First-year University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Dean of Students Troy Seppelt wants to make sure new students know exactly what the consequences will be if they violate the university's drinking or drug policies.

That's a change from years past, when university officials said they would take each situation on its own merits. There were no hard-and-fast consequences for violating drug and alcohol policies.

Now those consequences are laid out in brochures and on the walls of every residence hall on campus, so that each of the 9,457 students who started classes Tuesday will know what can happen if they violate rules on substance use and abuse. Consequences can include anything from fines or damages to requiring enrollment in a class to educate students on the substances they abused.

Seppelt emphasized that university staff members would listen to the student's side of the story before making any decisions.

"Our goal is to help students understand the potential outcomes of their actions," Seppelt said.

University Police Chief Bill Rowe said he expects the new approach and focus to curb bad alcohol and drug behavior.

"I think it brings the consequences to students' awareness," Rowe said. "I think it's a positive reminder for students who might not be aware of the consequences."

The new policy is one of many things the university and Stevens Point police are instituting this year to help keep students safe on campus. Seppelt said the university has implemented an online program that all new students are required to take within a roughly five-week period. The scenario-based program focuses on alcohol and drug use and sexual assault. Students input information from their own lives and the program coaches them through decisions based on that data.

All students are required to take the online course, and those who don't must enroll in an in-person class at their own expense, covering the same material.

And this month, the university plans to roll out a flow chart system to faculty and staff members that demonstrates how to deal with students in crises.

Drugs, especially heroin, are on the minds of university and police leaders this year. Police investigated the heroin overdose death of a 21-year-old biology major, Jordan C. Peterson of Markesan, in November. Portage County saw its first heroin overdose death in decades in 2011, and had two more in 2012, leading Stevens Point Police Chief Kevin Ruder to call for a regional heroin summit so leaders could talk about how to address the issue.

Stevens Point Assistant Police Chief Tom Zenner said officers are taking a proactive approach this year, with officers visiting groups of students and talking with landlords before there's a problem.

The approach led to a quieter homecoming weekend last year, Zenner said. The weekend typically has a high number of police calls, including drunken driving, underage drinking, public urination and loud noise complaints, but police said talking to students and landlords last year led to fewer citations and complaints.

With this year's homecoming on the horizon Sept. 27, police are hoping that approach will work again and help curb errant student behavior throughout the year, Zenner said.