University of Illinois

As a community, Illinois promotes a healthy living, learning and working environment. We invite every student, staff and faculty member to help create an environment free of the negative influence of alcohol misuse. Unwise alcohol use runs contrary to our community values, including the pursuit of personal and academic excellence, and respect for the rights and safety of others. The university is committed to enforcing our policies and respecting local laws related to alcohol use. This philosophy informs our practices, programming and resources.

Alcohol misuse—whether by abuse or illegal use—creates a number of problems for our community. Before taking a drink, think—how will I take action to avoid those problems? By navigating this site, you’ll find information to help you RE-THINK:

Take the Quiz

Do YOU know what students at Illinois say about the use of alcohol among their peers? Take our quiz and see how you do! Answers are based on the 2014 CORE Alcohol and Drug Survey, which about 1200 Illinois students participate in annually. When you click a correct answer, you'll find a pop-up box that shows some more useful information.

Let's see what you know!

Helping Others

Recognize Symptoms

Think about this … do you know when your friend has had so much to drink that they need medical attention? Check for the following symptoms (NOTE: not ALL symptoms need be present):

  • Confusion or stupor
  • Vomiting
  • Seizures
  • Slow, irregular or abnormal breathing
  • Cold or clammy skin
  • Any loss of consciousness: A person is unconscious when he or she is unable to be roused by shouts or shaking of the body. A person is semi-conscious when he or she has an inability to remain awake for more than a few minutes, and/or they are not able to carry on a coherent conversation when awake.
  • A person who has lost consciousness and cannot be roused is in danger of dying. Help is needed immediately.

Get Help!

Call 911. If you live in the residence halls, call or send someone else to notify your RA or the RA on Call, but don't leave the person alone.

Second, stay with the person needing assistance until emergency help arrives. During this time, here are some additional pieces of advice:

  • DO: Turn the person on his/her side to prevent choking if the person vomits.
  • DO: Be prepared to tell emergency personnel as much information as possible, including the amount and type of alcohol consumed.
  • DO NOT: Leave the person alone.
  • DO NOT: Leave the person on his/her back.
  • DO NOT: Try to make the person vomit.
  • DO NOT: Try to get the person to eat or drink anything, even water.

Medical Amnesty & Good Samaritan

It can be uncomfortable to call for help. You might RE-THINK these points:

  • The university community expects its members to call for medical help when needed. In fact, our Medical Amnesty and Good Samaritan procedures often prevent a disciplinary response for both the person in need of medical attention, and the caller. You can read about those procedures.
  • Wouldn't you rather your friend get help than risk serious medical complications or death?
  • If you were in that situation, wouldn’t you want someone to call for you?

Helping Yourself

Our community condones alcohol use when done in a legal, safe, and healthy manner consistent with the academic values of the University of Illinois. Our community equally supports those who choose not to drink alcohol. The community does not support underage alcohol use.

One of the best ways to RE-THINK alcohol use on Unofficial St. Patrick’s Day is to make a plan for doing so in a legal and safe manner—OR to plan how NOT to drink! Below, you’ll find forms for each that will help you to make a plan.

If You Choose To Drink – Make A Plan

The University of Illinois community expects you to practice responsible drinking behaviors on Unofficial St. Patrick's Day—behaviors that are legal, that keep you and others safe, and that promote a respectful academic community. The questions below will help you create a plan to do so.

Of course you should! That's why it's pre-checked! The expectation of our University community is that all students attend to their academic commitments. That's the first priority of being a student.

Creating a budget, and using cash instead of a credit card tab, helps to maintain your plan.

The longer one chooses to drink, the more likely the body's ability to process alcohol will become overwhelmed, leading to unsafe intoxication.

Most people process alcohol at a rate of 1 ounce per hour -- the amount in one beer or one shot. Consuming alcohol at a rate faster than this can quickly overwhelm the body's ability to process it.

Multiply the hours spent drinking by the number of drinks per hour. More than five drinks in a session puts one into the category of binge drinking, a level that is strongly correlated with all sorts of negative consequences: fights, hangovers, injuries, blackouts, even hospitalization.

Suggestions might include counting bottle caps or keeping a tally. Tracking your drinks helps you stay within your plan, and stay safe.

Breaks allow your body to process what you've consumed.

Having a buddy to watch out for you greatly contributes to safety.

Include a name and a phone number here. Should you run into trouble, you'll know two people who can help.

If I see that a friend has had so much to drink that they may need medical attention, I will call 911 to get help.

Remember, our community expects you to help others who appear to need medical attention. The University generally will not pursue disciplinary action against those who, needing help, accept it. The University will also not pursue disciplinary action against those who call to assist another person.

If You Choose NOT To Drink – Make A Plan

Unofficial St. Patrick's Day is just that—an unofficial holiday. You don't have to do anything out of the ordinary! So … what would you normally do on a sunny Friday in March?

Which you should do anyway -- that's why it's pre-checked!














If one of these friends calls, be sure you know who to call. 911 is the best resource if your friend is in distress from having too much to drink. Non-emergency police (217-333-1216) can help with other concerns, as can your Resident Assistant if you live in the residence halls or PCH.

It's helpful to know their plan before the day: how many drinks do they plan to have, where do they plan to be, and with whom will they be? If your friends don't have a plan like that, encourage them to make one – and then help them stick with it when you check in. You can also encourage your friends to get something to eat, drink water, and rest on a regular basis during the day.



Campus and Community Resources

Dean of Students

Call for general student assistance and emergency dean services.

(217) 333-0050
300 Turner Student Services Building, Champaign IL 61820

Student Legal Services

Call or visit their website to schedule an appointment.

(217) 333-9053
324 Illini Union, 1401 W. Green Street, Urbana IL 61801

  • Legal consultation, representation, and education are available to students who have paid the current semester's service fee.

Counseling Center

Call for counseling services.

(217) 333-3704
206 Turner Student Services Building, Champaign IL 61820

  • Individual and group counseling for students
  • Consultation with any student, staff or faculty member concerned about a student’s substance use problems.

Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Assessments | University of Illinois Counseling Center

Call for alcohol and drug counseling or outreach services through the Counseling Center.

(217) 333-3704
206 Turner Student Services Building, Champaign IL 61820

  • Alcohol assessments, support group, early intervention, skill-building workshops, and outreach

University Housing

Call for information on Housing's alcohol and visitation guidelines during Unofficial.

(217) 333-0770
300 Clark Hall, 1203 South Fourth Street, Champaign IL 61820

McKinley Health Center

Call for health and medical services.

(217) 333-2700
McKinley Health Center, 1109 S. Lincoln Ave., Urbana IL 61801

  • Medical Clinics
  • Mental Health Clinic
  • Health Education

University Police

Call for campus safety information and resources.

Non-Emergency: (217) 333-1216
Emergency: 911
Safe Walks: (217) 333-1216
Public Safety Building, 1110 W. Springfield Ave, Urbana IL 61801

SafeRides

Call or visit their website for more information or to request a safe ride.

(217) 265-7433
C-U MTD, 1101 W. Springfield Ave, Urbana IL 61802

Office of Student Conflict Resolution

Call for information about the student discipline system.

(217) 333-3680
300 Turner Student Services Building, 610 East John Street, Champaign IL 61820

  • Basis for Discipline (1-301)
  • University Policy on Alcohol (1-306, 1-307, 1-308)
  • University Policy on Drugs (1-305)
  • University Policy on Mandatory Medical Assessments related to Alcohol and Drug Misuse (2-102)

Alcoholics Anonymous

Welcome to AA Illinois, a state-wide recovery resource devoted to supporting the men and women of Illinois. AA Illinois helps individuals struggling with alcoholism find the help they need on a local basis. Discover Illinois Alcoholics Anonymous meetings per county or city, and take the next step to overcome alcohol addiction.


Featured Graphics

  • Re-Think The Drink graphic.

    Re-Think The Drink

    Say something if someone has had too much to drink.

    Help make a better Illini community for all and Re-Think The Drink.

  • Re-Think The Drink graphic.

    Re-Think The Drink

    Drink water and eat before and while you drink alcohol.

    This helps your body slow down how quickly the alcohol is absorbed, stay hydrated, and avoid negative effects.

    Respect your body and Re-Think The Drink.

  • Re-Think The Drink graphic.

    Re-Think The Drink

    Know the signs of alcohol poisoning.

    Symptoms include vomitting, slow and irregular breathing, low body temperature, passing out, and pale skin. Call 911 if you notice these signs.

    Source: www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alcohol-poisoning/basics/symptoms/con-20029020

    Help make a better Illini community for all and Re-Think The Drink.

  • Re-Think The Drink graphic.

    Re-Think The Drink

    Set your own limits, count your drinks, alternate alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks, and pace yourself.

    Respect other people and their limits and Re-Think The Drink.

  • Re-Think The Drink graphic.

    Re-Think The Drink

    Driving while intoxicated can cost you. Have a plan to get home.

    Help make a better Illini community for all and Re-Think The Drink.


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