UW-Madison BASICS Program for Alcohol-Related Policy Violations
Starting in the fall semester of 2011, a program called BASICS will be utilized as a conduct sanction for alcohol policy violations committed by UW-Madison students. BASICS is an acronym that stands for Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students. BASICS has two different programs, Group BASICS and Individual BASICS, both designed to address high-risk drinking practices among college students.
1. Who will be required to take BASICS?
Students who are involved in an alcohol-related violation of University policy may be required to attend either Group BASICS or Individual BASICS as a condition of their formal misconduct sanction.
2. What is the difference between Group BASICS and Individual BASICS?
Group BASICS is a group experience with 8-12 other students and consists of two 90-minute sessions. Group BASICS is for students who are involved in first-offense violations that do not have a serious circumstance. Group sessions are facilitated by professional substance abuse counselors. In the sessions, students will be provided an opportunity to examine their academic, emotional, and physical well-being in a manner that facilitates better choices in the future.
Individual BASICS involves two one-on-one sessions with a professional substance abuse counselor. Individual BASICS is for repeat violations or any violations involving very serious circumstances such as transports to Detox/ER and disorderly conduct. In the sessions, the student will have a structured opportunity to assess his or her individual risk and identify potential changes for the future, and is intended to reduce the potential harms that are associated with high-risk drinking.
3. How are students referred to BASICS?
BASICS is the standard educational condition for alcohol-related violations of University policy. Students will receive written notice from the Dean of Students or Residence Life staff member responsible for their conduct case informing them of the requirement to attend a BASICS program. Students are required to complete the program within an 8-week period.
4. What will BASICS cost?
Students who are required to complete BASICS must cover the cost of the classes. The fee for Group BASICS is $78. The fee required for Individual BASICS is $200. These fees will be in addition to any court-ordered fine or forfeiture. Payment is due at the time of the first session, and can be paid with credit card or check. If students miss one or both of the sessions, they will be required to re-register for BASICS and repay the fee.
5. How do I enroll in a BASICS class?
Group BASICS sessions will be provided on campus and at community locations by two community partner organizations, Connections Counseling and Tellurian UCAN, Inc. Individual BASICS will take place at the offices of Connections and Tellurian. Both organizations have extensive experience providing community services around alcohol and drug abuse. Students can enroll in the appropriate BASICS program by calling one of the community providers indicated below. Additional information on program availability can be found on their websites.
Tellurian UCAN, Inc.: (608) 442-4333 (extension 3)
www.tellurian.org/basics
Tellurian typically holds BASICS classes on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and some Saturdays.
Connections Counseling: (608) 233-2100 (extension 10)
www.connectionscounseling.com
Connections typically holds BASICS classes on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and some Saturdays.
6. How do I verify completion of the BASICS program?
Upon completion of BASICS, the facilitator will provide you with a compliance form that you will need to return to the staff member who referred you to the program.
7. What will happen if I do not complete the required BASICS program?
Failure to complete the BASICS program as sanctioned would constitute a violation of UWS 17.09 (16), "Noncompliance with a disciplinary sanction." A student would face further disciplinary action/sanctions, and a hold will be placed on the individual's registration and transcript until such time as the BASICS program is successfully completed.