UW-Madison changes policy on alcohol citations

MADISON, Wis. — University of Wisconsin-Madison officials are now requiring most students who get an alcohol-related citation to take a course on the risks of alcohol abuse.

Tom Sieger, prevention director at University Health Services, says previously the university did not have a consistent approach to dealing with alcohol-related issues.

Students will now be flagged by UW police or referred by Madison police officers.

UW-Madison Police Department says will have to pay $78 for two group sessions or $200 for two one-on-one sessions with a professional substance-abuse counselor.

That’s in addition to the cost of the ticket, which is $263.50 for a first-offense underage drinking citation.

Sieger tells the Wisconsin State Journal that he expects 800 to 1,000 students to have to participate in the program each year.