Awareness

Marquette complies with federal, state and local laws regulating the possession, use and sale of alcoholic beverages and controlled substances. Violation of these laws is prohibited on and off campus, and engaging in such activity may result in disciplinary sanctions, up to and including suspension or expulsion of the student or termination of employment regardless of the outcome of court proceedings. Marquette is committed to maintaining a drug-free campus and work environment.

Alcohol Overdose

Alcohol overdose is a medical emergency and could be life-threatening. If you suspect someone has overdosed, call 911 immediately. Never let him or her sleep it off.

Symptoms include:

• unconsciousness or semiconsciousness;
• slow respiration: eight or fewer breaths per minute;
• cold, clammy, pale or bluish skin; or
• strong odor of alcohol
• These symptoms represent an emergency. Call 911 immediately.

Alcohol/Date Rape Correlations

Since 2006, Wisconsin has recognized alcohol as the No. 1 date rape drug. Nationally, the majority of acquaintance rapes are planned, and assailants take advantage of their victims’ use of alcohol and other drugs, which slow reflexes and impair the victim’s ability to recognize a potentially dangerous situation.

A bias incident is any discriminatory or hurtful act that appears to be motivated or is perceived by the victim or victims to be motivated by race, ethnicity, religion, age, national origin, sex, ability, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, veteran status, socioeconomic status or language. To be considered a bias incident, the act is not required to be a crime under any federal, state or local statutes.

Colleges and universities may handle bias incidents through grievance procedures, such as the student conduct process, or through educational programs to enhance awareness and enable prevention of such acts. 

Click here for more information and reporting options

If you observe a crime in progress or you observe behavior that you suspect is criminal, immediately notify the Marquette University Police Department at (414) 288-1911 (on campus 8-1911).

Do not approach or attempt to apprehend the person(s) involved. If possible, stay on the phone with the Marquette University Police Department dispatcher until officers arrive on the scene. You can provide additional information as it becomes available or as the situation changes.

Please be prepared to provide as much of the following information as possible:

• WHAT is happening?
  • Are weapons involved?
• WHERE is it occurring?
• WHO is involved?
  • How many people are involved?
  • Describe, if possible, the height, hair color, facial features and clothing of those involved.
  • Describe the vehicles involved, if any, including: vehicle description (model, color, year) and license plate number.
• If vehicles are involved, WHERE are they headed? Cite direction.
• Has anyone been injured?

Marquette University prohibits sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking. This conduct will not be tolerated on campus and is a violation of Wisconsin law and the Marquette University Sexual Harassment and Sex Discrimination Policy (“Policy”).

Marquette makes available confidential victim advocates to provide support and assistance to those affected by domestic abuse. The advocates can be contacted at (414) 288-5244.

It is a violation of the Student Conduct Code for a student or student organization to participate in hazing or harassment that includes actions or situations that do or could result in mental, emotional or physical discomfort, embarrassment, ridicule or endangerment whether intentionally, for fun or by consent.

Students are welcome to call Marquette’s Counseling Center at (414) 288-7172 to speak to a counselor on call. The center is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and currently offers both virtual and in-person clinical services. Students should call the main number to schedule an initial screening appointment with a professional counselor, or they can walk in for urgent concerns during business hours.

For mental health emergencies on weekdays after 4:30 p.m., on weekends or during most holidays, call Marquette University Police Department at (414) 288-6800 and request to speak with the on-call counselor.

A student will be presumed to be missing when his/her absence, of 24 hours or more, is inconsistent with his/her established patterns of behavior and the deviation cannot be readily explained.

Reporting a Possible Missing Student:

Any member of the university community, including both employees and students, who is concerned that a currently enrolled student may be missing should immediately contact the Marquette University Police Department at (414) 288-1911 (on campus 8-1911).

Any university employee who receives a report of a possible missing student must immediately refer such report to the Marquette University Police Department.

The Marquette University Police Department shall investigate all reports and determine whether a student is missing. If the Marquette University Police Department determines that a student is missing, it shall notify the Office of Student Affairs. Further, the Marquette University Police Department shall notify the Milwaukee Police Department, and/or other appropriate law enforcement agencies, as necessary.

Missing Person Emergency Contact:

All Marquette University students shall be provided an opportunity to designate an individual to be contacted by the university in the event the student is determined to be missing.

Students can designate a “Missing Person Emergency Contact” at any time online via CheckMarq Self-Service. If a student is determined to be missing, the Marquette University Police Department shall notify the designated Missing Person Emergency Contact not later than 24 hours after the student is determined to be missing. This contact information is considered confidential and will only be accessible to authorized university or law enforcement personnel.

Law Enforcement Notification:

If a student is determined to be missing, the Marquette University Police Department shall notify the Milwaukee Police Department, or other appropriate law enforcement agency, not later than 24 hours after the student is determined to be missing.

It is against the law to sell, dispense or give away alcohol to anyone younger than 21, the legal drinking age in Wisconsin, who is not accompanied by his or her parent, legal guardian or spouse. Those who are at least 21 years old are responsible by law for preventing the illegal consumption of alcohol on their premises. A first-time violation of this statute can result in a $500 fine.

It is against the law for a person younger than 21 to attempt to buy an alcoholic beverage, falsely represent his or her age, or enter a bar or tavern unless accompanied by his or her parent, legal guardian or spouse. Sanctions for first-time violations can include any or all of the following: a $500 fine, mandatory participation in a supervised work program, suspension or revocation of the offender’s driver’s license.

Penalties for serving or providing alcohol to minors include fines of up to $10,000, imprisonment for up to nine months or both. A retailer’s license to sell alcohol may be suspended or revoked. (For reference, see Chapter 125 of the Wisconsin Statutes.)

Rohypnol, a potent and fast-acting sedative, and GHB, a powerful depressant, are two drugs reported to be used at bars, raves and parties to weaken a potential sexual assault victim.

The odorless drugs are dissolved into drinks. Once dissolved, Rohypnol may leave a residue and GHB may give a salty taste, but both can be hard to detect in many beverages. Once the drug is consumed, the victim becomes weak, helpless or unconscious and unable to resist sexual advances.

When the drug wears off, the victim may not remember what happened or who participated because the drug often causes amnesia. Recreational use of these drugs also has been reported.

Physical incapacitation from using the drug(s) puts the user at risk for rape or other victimization. Recreational use also can lead to death from the physical effects of the drug.

Rohypnol

• Physical and mental effects: drowsiness, confusion, impaired motor skills, dizziness, loss of inhibition, impaired judgment, slurred speech, reduced consciousness, partial amnesia, hangover effect; person may appear drunk. When mixed with alcohol, Rohypnol reduces blood pressure.
• Also called: roofies, roaches
• Forms: white pill. It leaves a crumbly residue in liquid and turns the liquid bluish and murky.

GHB

• Physical and mental effects: dizziness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, seizures, respiratory depression, intense drowsiness, unconsciousness, coma, partial amnesia
• Onset of effects within 15 to 30 minutes and lasts 30 to 40 minutes
• Also called: liquid ecstasy, liquid G, Vita-G
• Form: a clear liquid that leaves a salty taste in beverages
• GHB is a mixture of lye and gamma-butyrolactone (GBL, a chemical compound) and varies in intensity, making it potentially deadly.

Marquette University Police Department officers are trained to help obtain medical assistance, counseling and related support for victims including contacting a confidential university victim advocate.

At the request of the victim, the Marquette University Police Department can contact the Milwaukee Police Department when it receives a report of criminal sexual misconduct, including sexual assault. The Sensitive Crimes Unit of Milwaukee Police Department may follow up on such reports.

Confidential assistance and referrals are available if reported to the Sexual Assault Treatment Center (SATC), victim advocates in Advocacy Services, ordained members of the clergy in Campus Ministry, counselors in the Counseling Center, and doctors, registered nurses and physician assistants in the Marquette University Medical Clinic. Other confidential resources are listed here.

Sexual Violence Prevention Programs and Support Services

To help foster a safe and responsive environment, the university provides a wide range of prevention programming, education, resources and support services relating to sexual violence, which includes sexual assault, relationship violence and stalking.

Through a variety of educational programming efforts, students receive information that increases awareness about sexual violence issues and challenges beliefs to support risk reduction and prevention of sexual violence. The programming curriculum focuses on encouraging and supporting students in taking an active role in defining and preventing sexual violence.

Bystander intervention is encouraged through safe and positive intervention techniques and by empowering third-party intervention and prevention such as calling for help, identifying allies and/or creating distractions. Bystander intervention training highlights the need for those who intervene to ensure their own safety in the techniques they choose, and motivates them to intervene as stakeholders in the safety of the community. Through peer-to-peer training programs, students review situations where sexual assault can likely occur and develop and discuss strategies they can use to support each other.

Marquette University provides prevention and awareness campaigns for students, faculty and staff throughout the year.

Marquette University makes available confidential victim advocates to provide support and assistance to those affected by sexual violence. The advocates can be contacted at (414) 288-5244.

Services the advocates can provide include:

• Referrals to university and community services
• Assistance with obtaining a university no contact order
• Assistance with housing, academic and other related matters or 
• Information about reporting
• Escorts to all necessary court proceedings
• Escorts through the process of obtaining a court-issued restraining order
• Assistance with creating a safe environment

Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry Information

The Sex Offender Registration and Community Notification Law (beginning June 1, 1997, Wisconsin Act 440) provides the public with automated access to information about offenders, who are required to register with the Department of Corrections. Registration is a way to monitor and track an offender’s whereabouts, thereby providing access to information for law enforcement agencies, victims, public/private organizations and the general public. It is intended to promote public safety and help detect and prevent crime. Access to the registry is provided by the Department of Corrections through the Sex Offender Registry System.

For information about the Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry, go to the Wisconsin Department of Corrections website.

To contact the Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry, call (800) 398-2403