August 21, 2012

Dear students,

As we embark on an exciting and rewarding academic year, I want to welcome each of you to campus and share some updates from the Division of Student Affairs.

As a Catholic, Jesuit university, Marquette is committed to supporting our students’ physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. During the past several years, we have focused on educating students about the risks associated with alcohol and drug use. Building on those efforts, effective for the fall 2012 semester, some changes in our drug and alcohol policies and procedures will go into effect. Key points to know about the updated policies are as follows:

• Alcohol and drugs: Following a student conduct hearing, students found responsible for violating the alcohol and/or drug policies will be assessed a fine. Fines vary based on the severity of the violation and previous violations, and will be assigned in addition to alcohol use assessments and educational sanctions currently being used.
• Complicity: When a policy is being violated, students are expected to remove themselves from the situation and/or report the incident. Encouraging other students to consume alcohol or drugs is a violation of the university’s complicity policy.

Fines are detailed in the university’s Alcoholic Beverages Use and Consumption Policy and Drug Policy, and are being enacted to minimize harm on campus due to alcohol and drugs. The safety, security and well-being of all of our students remains our highest priority, and I ask each of you to be accountable for helping maintain a safe environment on campus.

Other programs and developments I’d like to call your attention to include:

• Important alerts sent via text: Important updates regarding campus information – including safety instructions – will be shared with students via text message. To receive these alerts, as well as weather-related closing information, students must enroll in the university’s emergency text messaging system by entering their cell phone number in the “Personal Information” section of CheckMarq. Complete instructions can be found online.
• Gender and Sexuality Resource Center: Located in the Alumni Memorial Union, room 425, the Office of the Provost’s new Gender and Sexuality Resource Center provides support for educational programming and scholarly work related to gender, sexuality and sexual violence. The center aims to foster a diverse, inclusive and safe environment for students, faculty and staff.
• Multicultural Affairs changes name to Intercultural Engagement: The Multicultural Center will now be known as the Center for Intercultural Engagement. The name change better represents the center’s support of cross-cultural exchanges within the diverse student body.
• Voluntary student health insurance: While the majority of students are covered by their parents’ health insurance plans until their 26th birthday, students who use Marquette's optional, voluntary student health insurance plan need to enroll with the university’s new provider. These plans are offered in addition to the many health services provided by Student Health Service.

Beyond these changes, don’t forget about the ongoing services of Student Educational Services for tutoring and academic health, the Counseling Center to support your mental health, and Campus Ministry to strengthen your faith.

The Marquette family will be here each step of the way this semester to share in your triumphs, support you through setbacks and challenge you with new ways of thinking. If you have any questions about our services, please visit the Division of Student Affairs website, or call our central office at 414-288-7206 for assistance.

Dr. L. Christopher Miller
Vice President for Student Affairs

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