Adrian College Alcohol Policy

It is illegal in the State of Michigan to:

1. possess or consume alcoholic beverages under the age of 21
2. furnish alcoholic beverages to minors
3. utilize false I.D. for the purchase of alcoholic beverages

Within the limits prescribed by local, state and federal laws, Adrian College believes that students should be given every opportunity to freely and responsibly make those decisions which directly affect their lives and to experience the consequences of those decisions. One of those decisions that a student will make is whether to consume or not consume alcoholic beverages. The College does not consider alcohol necessary or conducive to higher education but will seek to create an atmosphere in which those students of legal age who choose to consume alcohol do so in a responsible manner. In order to ensure that the rights and sensibilities of all people are respected and that responsible behavior be the norm at all times, Adrian College promulgates the following policy with respect to the use of alcoholic beverages.

On-Campus Policy

All students have the right to live in the College residence halls, fraternity houses or Greek complex without unreasonable disturbances. Although the responsible use of alcohol is permitted by those of legal age, behavior of those using it must not infringe on any other student’s right to privacy, to study and to rest.

1. Consumption of alcoholic beverages may take place only within the privacy of a student’s room or within those areas specifically designated within a fraternity house (see #3 below) by the Vice President and Dean for Student Affairs.

2. Open containers (bottles, cans, cups, glasses) used for the consumption of alcohol are not permitted outside the individual or designated room unit. This includes campus grounds.

3. All social events held in college facilities, including fraternity houses, shall be "dry," that is, no alcohol may be present or consumed. Exceptions may be made for alumni events at fraternity houses during Homecoming within the guidelines of the Adrian College Alcohol and Risk Management Policy for Social Events and within the guidelines of the organization’s national policies. Greek organizations may host social events with alcohol at off-campus facilities (e.g., rented hall) within the guidelines of the organizations’ national and insurance policies (generally BYOB or third party vendor). A fraternity wishing to sponsor a Homecoming alumni event at which alcohol will be consumed in a designated area must obtain approval of the event according to published guidelines in the Adrian College Alcohol and Risk Management Policy for Social Events. [Note: Beginning Fall 2003, all fraternities have adopted alcohol-free housing policies. Therefore, no social events with alcohol including alumni Homecoming events will be approved at campus fraternity houses.]

4. No containers capable of holding a large quantity of alcohol (i.e., trash can, air void) or requiring a "tap system," are permitted in any housing units on campus.

5. Persons 21 or older are permitted to possess and consume alcohol within the privacy of his/her room, and only when all present in the room are 21 years of age or older.

6. Students are responsible for their own actions as well as the actions of their guests. All students present in a room wherein a violation(s) of the Alcohol Policy occurs may be held accountable for said violation(s).

7. Students are responsible for the proper disposal of emptied alcohol containers and are encouraged to assist in the overall maintenance of an attractive campus. A collection or display of alcohol bottles/cans within a room should not be visible from the hallway or through exterior windows. Students under the legal drinking age may not display collections of alcohol bottles/cans; empty alcohol bottles/cans may be considered evidence of illegal possession or consumption or both.

8. Adrian College money may not be used for the purchase of alcohol. This includes money from College accounts as well as money which is raised by on-campus sales or solicitations.

9. Consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited at all athletic events including football games played at Maple Stadium.

10. Alcohol may not be served at a membership recruitment function by any student organization.

11. The marketing, advertising or promotion of alcoholic beverages on campus or at campus events is prohibited.

12. Drinking games and alcohol paraphernalia (e.g., beer bong) are prohibited.

13. Alcohol use that jeopardizes or endangers the welfare of oneself or others, or contributes to disturbances, property damage, and other irresponsible or offensive action or behavior, is a violation of the College’s alcohol policy in addition to other violations which may apply.

14. Adrian College supports local, state and federal laws regarding the use of alcohol. Behavior that is or could be construed as a violation of these laws are a violation of the College’s alcohol policy as well, including intoxication of students under the legal drinking age.

15. The College reserves the right to notify College officials who have a legitimate educational interest of students who violate the alcohol policy (e.g., notify Athletic Department of athlete violations).

Off-Campus Policy

Student use of alcohol in off-campus situations is a matter of individual responsibility and any misuse is subject to punishment by duly authorized civil authorities. Adrian College does not approve of or sanction off-campus events where alcohol may be present. The College reserves the right to address off-campus conduct which adversely affects the College community and/or the pursuit of its objectives.

Enforcement

The responsibility for enforcement of the Alcohol Policy rests on each individual in the College community. The implementation of the enforcement is under the jurisdiction of the Office of Student Affairs.

1. Within the residence halls and Greek facilities all violations must be reported to residence life staff as soon as possible. Other on-campus violations should be reported to the Student Affairs staff.

2. A student found in violation of the Alcohol Policy will be informed of his/her violation at the time of the violation. In cases where this is not possible, the student will be informed within 10 class days of the violation’s report to the Residence Life or Student Affairs offices.

3. Depending on the severity of the violation, the sanctions for individual students may include educational sanctions (e.g., on-line alcohol class, education and process classes, program implementation), required clinical assessments of the student’s alcohol and other drug use, psychological and/or medical treatment based on clinical assessments, and suspension or dismissal. Students will be responsible for any costs associated with sanctions. A complete list of possible sanctions are listed in the Adrian College Student Code of Conduct.

Revised May, 2004