Wardenburg Health Center

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I got an MIP...now what?

Focus on Alcohol Concerns

Focus on Alcohol Concerns (FAC) is a 2 session, 6 hour educational program offered as a court diversion program for students who are cited for underage drinking, either in the community, on campus or in the residence halls.

How do I register?

Stop by Wardenburg Health Center’s Department of Psychological Health and Psychiatry (PHP) to find out the current schedule of available classes.

*Check your work and academic schedule very carefully before registering for a specific FAC class.

Registration must be done in person and the fee must be paid prior to registering. We are located on the 1st floor of Wardenburg. Enter through the main doors, go down the stairs, and turn right. Follow that corridor straight until you get to the Psychological Health and Psychiatry sign, which is at our desk.

How much does it cost?

$137 to be paid at the time of registration. We accept cash, check, and Visa/MasterCard.

Do I still have to go to court if I take the FAC class?

Effective September 1, 2007 everyone who receives an MIP will be required to go to at least one court appearance. For complete rules and regulations please read If I get an MIP.

If you complete the class a minimum of 2 weeks prior to your second Minor in Possession (MIP) court date, you will not have to go to court. Following the successful completion of your FAC class, all verifications of completion will be faxed by Wardenburg PHP to the respective referral sources (i.e. County or Municipal courts, Housing, Judicial Affairs).

What happens if I can't attend the class I'm registered for?

The program is very strict about allowing students to reschedule classes. A conflict due to a regularly scheduled work shift or due to a test/assignment that is on the class syllabus for example, is not an acceptable reason for missing an FAC class. You may not make up an FAC class by attending another class's session. To successfully complete an FAC class you need to start and finish the same class.

In order to reschedule without paying an additional registration fee, you must have an emergency or extenuating circumstance that you were unable to anticipate at the time you registered for your class. Secondly, you must have written documentation to support your reason for rescheduling. If you don’t meet these 2 criteria, you will be required to re-register for another FAC class and pay an additional $137 registration fee.

What happens if I'm late to class?

You must be on time to all sessions of your class. Students who are more than 5 minutes late will not be permitted to enter the class. If you are late for any FAC session, you will be dismissed from that class and responsible for re-registering in another class and paying the additional $125 registration fee.

What can I use the FAC class for? DWAI/DUI?

Please read If I get an MIP as the rules have changed this year. Generally, for students whose MIP ticket is their first alcohol-related offense, the FAC class will serve the requirement for attending an alcohol diversion class. The FAC class also meets the requirements for many sanctions given by Housing and Judicial Affairs, again if the violation is a first offense.

FAC will NOT serve to resolve alcohol-related driving offenses such as DUI (Driving Under the Influence) or DWAI (Driving While Alcohol Impaired). For such offenses you will likely need to complete Level I or Level II DUI Education and/or Therapy classes. While FAC meets the requirements for a Level I Alcohol Diversion class, there are no services available at Wardenburg Health Center at the present time for students needing Level I or II DUI/DWAI education or therapy classes. For these classes, you can contact Boulder County Public Health at 303-441-1275 or other private agencies in the Boulder community (Boulder Alcohol Education Center 303-444-6142, Discovery Counseling Center 303-449-4121, Personal Growth Services 303-442-7220, or Rangeview Counseling Center 303-447-2038).

What happens if I procrastinate or don't take the class?

If you haven't already, please read If I get an MIP as the rules have changed. Generally, if you fail to appear in court as required, a bench warrant is issued for your arrest. Until you resolve this matter, should you be stopped by police for any reason and the officer(s) learn of the warrant, you will be arrested, taken to jail, processed, and will need to post bond and appear in court. Once you complete an FAC class your instructor will arrange for a completion notice to be sent to the District Attorney’s Office.

In most cases, if you complete an alcohol diversion class like FAC within two weeks of your second court date, you will not have to appear in court. Should you be registered for a class but are unable to finish it before your court date, make sure to go the court appearance. We will provide you with documentation of your registration/participation in the FAC program. If you have not at least registered for a diversion program by the time of your court date, it is still in your interest to appear at the required date and time. While you may incur additional penalties, they will not be as disruptive to your life as getting arrested and taken to jail.

For students whose alcohol violations stem from Housing or Judicial Affairs sanctions, failure to complete an FAC class most often results in a hold being put on your registration for classes until you complete the FAC class.

How can I contact my referral source? (Courts, Housing, Judicial Affairs)

Alcohol Tickets:
Boulder County Courts
Jennifer Langfeld
303-441-4873

Boulder Municipal Courts: 303-441-1842 and ask for your case manager

Housing: Contact your Residence Hall Director

Judicial Affairs: Jamal Ward, 303-492-5550