Safe La Crosse

Safe La Crosse is a community-based initiative that encourages safe and responsible behavior related to alcohol consumption. The Tri-campus Advocacy Group developed the concept as a means of promoting awareness and comprehensive safety practices. The goal is to significantly reduce alcohol related injury in our community. The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Viterbo University and Western Technical College are planning a number of activities on their respective campuses to promote Safe La Crosse.

In a key initiative, marketing and communications students from UW-La Crosse have developed an ad campaign designed to promote awareness throughout the community. The ad campaign follows the theme: You wouldn’t leave your cellphone, why would you leave your friends? This message will be displayed throughout the community, including at local taverns. The theme will promote safe practices in alcohol consumption through a friend-to-friend approach. Other elements of the student campaign include:

  • Safe La Crosse Kick-Off Concert with Rob Gonzalez (Friday, Sept. 14, Viterbo). Free and open to the community. Sponsored by the three campuses.
  • Oktoberfest Sobering Area – A central location where individuals could stop by to get a bite to eat and non-alcoholic beverages before heading home.
  • “Intolerance to Drunk Driving and Underage Drinking” presentation by former Miss America Jennifer Berry (Monday, Sept. 17, Viterbo; Tuesday, Sept. 18, UW-L)
  • Rectoberfest – This is a late night alcohol alternative activity providing food, games, prizes, and fun. Open to the public, the event will be held on the first Friday of Oktoberfest. Last year the event brought over 500 students from all three campuses. (Friday, Sept. 28, Recreational Eagle Center at UW-L).

Other initiatives involving all three campuses:

Operation River Watch

This is a tri-campus student initiative partnering with the La Crosse police to patrol the Mississippi River in downtown La Crosse on Thursday-Saturday evenings during the academic year. Student volunteers from all three campuses provide extra sets of eyes to support safety along the river front.

Safe Ride

the Safe Ride bus offers a safe travel option between downtown and the three college campuses on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. Students, friends, and the general public ride free. Safe Ride began in 2000.

Changing the Culture of Risky Drinking Behavior

In 2007, the Changing the Culture of Risky Drinking Behavior grant was awarded to La Crosse Medical Health Science Consortium by the Medical College of Wisconsin to address the serious burden of alcohol related injuries in La Crosse. The three campuses, along with Gundersen Lutheran and Franciscan Skemp are partners in this effort.

Western Technical College Initiatives

Project 21

A birthday card project where businesses offer free or discounted food or services to help students safely celebrate their 21st birthdays without alcohol.

AODA/Student Activities Specialist

Western has hired a new AODA/Student Activities Specialist, who is coordinating classroom presentations, speakers/events, and Project 21.

Zero Tolerance Policy

Western initiated a Zero Tolerance policy for alcohol and drugs in its residence halls, along with a Good Samaritan Practice to encourage dangerously intoxicated students to seek medical care without fear of formal conduct action.

Alcohol and Drug Testing Policy

Western has a new student alcohol and drug testing policy to identify students on campus who are possibly under the influence and a possible threat to the safety of themselves or others.

AODA Counselor

Western refers students who have received an underage drinking citation to the AODA Counselor for a discussion about responsible decision making.

Alcohol and Drug Intervention Education

Western is offering a new course called Alcohol and Drug Intervention Education for the College-Aged Student.

Organizations

A number of key community organizations have also endorsed Safe La Crosse. As part of this endorsement, these organizations have agreed to promote safe practices within their respective organizations:

  • The La Crosse Tavern League
  • The La Crosse Medical Health Science Consortium
  • Gundersen Lutheran
  • Franciscan Skemp
  • The Oktoberfest Board
  • Downtown Mainstreet, Inc.
  • The City of La Crosse Police Department

Tri-Campus Community Advocacy Group Background

The Tri-Campus Community Advocacy Group was formed in 2004 by the leaders of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Viterbo University, and Western Technical College. The following is the purpose and vision for this group:

Purpose

The Tri-Campus Community Advocacy Group exists to create a safer community by fostering an environment that discourages excessive high-risk alcohol consumption among college students. We will identify, recommend, and, when appropriate, implement action steps that are intended to reduce binge drinking and other alcohol-related consequences. We share the opinion that effective and consistent education, environmental management, collaboration between community organizations and municipalities, and the strict enforcement of existing laws will significantly reduce the factors that contribute to excessive high-risk drinking, including binge drinking. We believe that efforts to reduce this form of drinking benefit the community as a whole and encourage the community-at-large to support these efforts.

Vision for the community for the year 2010

Excessive high-risk alcohol consumption, and other alcohol-related consequences, by college students in the La Crosse community have been reduced by 50 percent since the year 2004. This has been achieved through the successful implementation of effective and consistent educational programs, environmental management and enforcement strategies, and disciplined coordination and collaboration among community organizations, the business community, and municipalities. The result is a significant reduction of the factors which contribute most significantly to the irresponsible use of alcohol and the practice of high-risk alcohol consumption.