Crisis support
Mental health emergencies
If your situation is immediately life-threatening, please call 911 or get yourself safely to the nearest hospital emergency room:
Local emergency rooms
- UW Hospital Emergency Room: 600 Highland Avenue, 608-262-2398
- Meriter Hospital Emergency Room: 202 S. Park St., 608-267-6206
- St. Mary’s Hospital Emergency Room: 707 S. Mills St., 608-258-6800
University Health Services (UHS)
UHS offers 24-hour crisis intervention services for enrolled students or for those who are concerned about an enrolled student. If you are feeling desperate or thinking about suicide, or you’re afraid for the well-being of someone you know, you can call UHS at 608-265-5600 (select option 9).
National helplines
Please reach out! You’re important to us!
Sexual health emergencies
If you have experienced a sexual assault, we encourage you to seek out the campus resources that are here to help you.
For support for survivors of all forms of sexual violence, including medical and legal advocacy, support groups, and short-term counseling, contact the 24-hour crisis line at 608-265-6389. Students may use the Campus or Community Office.
- RCC: Sexual Violence Resource Center (Campus Location): 333 E. Campus Mall, #7901, 608-265-6389
- RCC: Sexual Violence Resource Center (Community Location): 2801 Coho St., #301, 608-251-5126
More resources
- University Health Services for emergency contraception, help after sexual assault, and HIV post-exposure care
- Domestic Abuse Intervention Services is a community organization on the East side of Madison with 24-hour help lines: 608-251-4445 or 800-747-4045
- Forge has trans sexual violence resources and services based in Milwaukee
- Outreach LGBTQ Center hosts LGBTQ domestic violence support groups
Reporting and institutional support
Survivors of sexual or domestic violence have the option to access confidential sources, who are not mandatory reporters, including: UHS Counseling and Consultation, UHS Violence Prevention & Survivor Services, UHS Clinical Medicine, a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, Domestic Abuse Intervention Services, the Rape Crisis Center, the Employee Assistance Office, and if you are a McBurney Disability Resource Center client, then McBurney staff are protected too.
The Gender and Sexuality Campus Center staff are mandated reporters and non-confidential employees. We will help you set up an appointment to report to the Office of Student Assistance and Support (OSAS) or any other agency if you choose to. We are here for you. It is your right to always have someone with you when reporting- one of us can join you or you can invite a friend or support person.
Crisis loans
Crisis loans are available through the Office of Student Assistance and Support (OSAS). Common uses for a crisis loan include:
- Unexpected Medical Expenses
- Car Repair
- Travel Expenses for Family Emergency
- Replacement of items due to theft/fire damage
A copy of the application form is available to download from the website below. Let GSCC staff know if we can help you with this form or by connecting you with the Dean of Students office staff. You’ll want to work with DoS0 to have a short meeting to submit the form, and if you are eligible for the loan, it will be processed within a few days.
Emergency housing
If you are in a housing crisis, like consistently sleeping on friends’ couches or in a car, these are some resources for you.
Dane County Housing Resource Hotline
help@danecountyhomeless.org
855-510-2323
The Housing Resource Line is a one-stop-shop for an assessment of your current situation. Caseworkers will assess your situation and, based on qualification for financial assistance, you may be eligible to receive help moving into or maintaining housing. Available in English, Spanish, and Hmong.
The Tenant Resource Center is here for you and has a campus resource office (Student Activity Center, 333 E. Campus Mall #3158). They also have letter writing templates to landlords and additional resources:
Your Rights as a Tenant
Get Help as a Tenant
Resources for Tenants
The TRC also has multilingual housing counselors and has resources en Español and lus Hmoob.
Reporting bias
UW-Madison has a bias reporting system and a Bias Reporting Team that responds to every report submitted.
You can submit a report about any event that happened to you or that you witnessed anywhere on or off campus. You can provide as much or as little information as you wish, and you may submit anonymously.
When you submit, you can ask for follow-up or you can report just so the University can be aware of the incident for data collection purposes.
GSCC staff can help you fill out a report form at any time. We encourage you to report as much as you’re comfortable to help make the campus more inclusive and responsive.
See the “Report bias” webpage from the Office of Student Assistance and Support:
Non-discrimination policies
Student protections
The UW Office for Equity and Diversity “is committed to providing equal opportunity and equal access and to complying with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations and UWS and university non-discrimination policies and procedures.”
In 1990, the Wisconsin Legislature enacted Wisconsin Act 186, creating s. 36.12, Wisconsin Statues. This statute provides, in part:
“No student may be denied admission to, participation in or the benefits of, or discriminated against in any service, program, course or facility of the {UW} system or its institutions or centers because of the student’s race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, disability, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital status or parental status.”
For more information on Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation, please refer to Regent Policy Document 14-6.
Both the UW System and UW-Madison include gender and identity and expression in non-discrimination policies. Visit UW-Madison’s Office for Equity and Diversity summary of relevant laws, policies and regulations for more information.
Discrimination response
If you experience a negative experience based on your gender identity or expression, please visit the Campus Center, contact us, or fill out the Bias Response form. We can also help you fill out the form according to your needs.