The state Senate’s Committee on Universities and Technical Colleges reviewed a student-initiated bill that, if approved, would grant immunity to underage drinkers who call 911 to ask for help for their peers in emergency situations involving alcohol.
The Daily Cardinal Editorial Board supports those introducing, sponsoring and authoring the bill such as state Sen. Fred Risser, D-Madison and University of Wisconsin junior and Legislative Affairs Committee Chair Morgan Rae.
Under the proposed bill, an underage person may not be issued a citation if he/she person asks for emergency medical help for him or herself or for the person they are with who need help. The underage person must remain at the scene until medical or police assistance arrives and be cooperative. This bill would also prohibit the Board of Regents at the UW System and any other two- or four-year UW System school from enforcing disciplinary measures to those students who do commit underage drinking violations. Currently, these consequences include removal from courses, enrollment restrictions, suspension or expulsion and removal from student housing.
We believe this bill and its authors are making student safety a priority. While in college, many students find themselves in situations where they need emergency medical assistance for either themselves or a friend, but are afraid to call for help because of the potential consequences. Students often do not want to call for help for their friends because they worry about the state of those friendships. The fear of police or university punishment will deter students from calling for help in dangerous situations involving alcohol, but in those moments, the safety of the individual should be the utmost priority.
While UW-Madison currently has responsible-action guidelines protecting students from punishment in emergency situations involving alcohol on campus, many of these incidents occur off-campus which is a reason why students may choose not to call for help.
Criminalizing these situations fosters an atmosphere of fear and can silence students who are in risky situations where their health or the health of friends could be at stake. We feel this bill will provide an environment where students will not hesitate to call for emergency medical assistance. Let’s be clear: we do not condone underage drinking or drinking to a point where an individual needs emergency medical assistance. But if these situations occur, we want the primary thought at the time to be to call for help.
Additionally, we commend Morgan Rae for initiating this bill during her freshman year and seeing it through the state approval process. As a student, she took an issue that resonates with the student body and took action. The Responsibile Action Bill has the potential to save lives. As students concerned with student issues, we encourage the state to approve this bill.
What do you think of the bill? Do you think this bill will curb campus alcohol-related safety issues? Please send all feedback to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
