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ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND POLICIES (2011.1)

Elon University is committed to the intellectual and personal development of students. Alcohol misuse inhibits students' development and is negatively correlated with academic success and personal safety. The vitality of the academic community relies on each member taking personal responsibility for his or her actions regarding alcohol use and safeguarding the well-being of others.

• The University welcomes and supports the decision of students not to drink.
• Elon emphasizes education about risks, choices and personal responsibility regarding the use of alcohol. Students are expected to make conscious choices that do not diminish the academic or social success, or personal safety, of themselves or others.
• The University observes laws regarding alcohol use, particularly those that address underage drinking, and holds students accountable for their choices.
• Students whose drinking creates a risk of danger to the health and safety of themselves or others are subject to suspension and/or loss of other University privileges.
 
Alcoholic beverages may be possessed and/or consumed only by individuals 21 years of age or older in their residence or an approved location. Alcohol may be consumed at the Elon Lodge or other specifically sanctioned locations during authorized events with prior approval from the director of Greek life or director of the Moseley Center.
 

Innocent By-Stander

Elon understands and supports students being social and wanting to spend time with each other. This may lead to situations where underage students are in the presence of alcohol possession and/or use that violates university policy. In order to hold the responsible students accountable, while supporting those who are not violating policies, the Innocent By-Stander rule may be enacted at the time alcohol policy violations are identified. Students in the presence of alcohol policy violations will not be charged with an alcohol policy violation if either of the following is included in the Incident Report
 
  1. there is no physical indication the student has been drinking (slurred speech, odor of alcohol, bloodshot eyes, etc.), and a reasonable number of students take responsibility and attest the student is not in violation, or
  2. the student requests and passes an "Alco-Sensor" test at the time of the incident.
 

Community standards regarding alcohol use include the following:

2011.1.1 Possession and/or Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages by Students Under 21 Years of Age

Definition - possession and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages by any student on or off-campus or returning to campus after consuming by a student less than 21 years of age.   (At this level there are not visible signs of intoxication.)  Note:  Possession of empty beverage containers or packaging may be considered evidence of possession or consumption of alcohol.

Sanctions
First Offense -
normally, not less than alcohol confiscated and disposed of and official reprimand; $50 fine, and Alcohol Education Program or Project. (Fine doubles if not paid within 5 days.) [Note: If there are no additional Code of Conduct violations during the following calendar year, the reprimand is removed from the student's record.]
Second Offense - normally, not less than alcohol confiscated and disposed of and official warning; $150 fine, 10campus restitution hours, Alcohol Education Program or Project, Substance Abuse Assessment and compliance with recommendations, and parent/guardian notification letter. (Fine doubles if not paid within 5 days.)
Third Offense - normally, not less than alcohol confiscated and disposed of and disciplinary probation; $300 fine, 20 campus restitution hours, Substance Abuse Assessment and compliance with recommendations, and parent/guardian notification letter. (Fine doubles if not paid within 5 days.)
Fourth Offense - normally, preliminary suspension or disciplinary suspension; $300 fine, Substance Abuse Assessment and compliance with recommendations, and parent/guardian notification letter. (Fine doubles if not paid within 5 days.)

2011.1.2 Being Under the Influence of Alcoholic Beverages

Definition - a person who, having consumed alcoholic beverages, exhibits signs of intoxication and/or experiences any loss of the normal use of his/her mental and/or physical faculties. Examples include but are not limited to:  slurred speech, vomiting, stumbling or needing assistance walking, loss of motor coordination, aggression, brief loss of memory, or abusive behavior.

Sanctions
First Offense -
normally, not less than alcohol confiscated and disposed of and disciplinary probation; $150 fine, 15 campus restitution hours, Alcohol Education Program or Project, Substance Abuse Assessment and compliance with recommendations, and parent/guardian notification letter. (Fine doubles if not paid within 5 days.)
Second Offense - normally, not less than alcohol confiscated and disposed of and preliminary suspension or disciplinary suspension; $300 fine, 30 campus restitution hours, Substance Abuse Assessment and compliance with recommendations, and parent/guardian notification letter. (Fine doubles if not paid within 5 days.)
Third Offense - normally, disciplinary suspension for one year.

2011.1.3 Extreme Intoxication

Definition - a person who, having consumed alcoholic beverages, exhibits signs of significant and/or dangerous intoxication.  Examples include but are not limited to:  blacked out, loss of consciousness or limited responsiveness, no withdrawal from painful stimuli, loss of bladder/bowel functions, excessive vomiting, or severe physical depression (slow or shallow breathing, pale or blue-tinged skin, or reduced heart rate). 

Sanctions
First Offense -
normally, not less than preliminary suspension with possible disciplinary suspension for one year; $150 to $300 fine, 15 campus restitution hours and restitution, educational program or project, Substance Abuse Assessment and compliance with recommendations.
Second Offense - normally, not less than disciplinary suspension with possible permanent separation; $200 to $400 fine, 25 campus restitution hours and restitution, educational program or project, Substance Abuse Assessment and compliance with recommendations.
Third Offense - normally, not less than permanent separation.

2011.1.4 Rapid Consumption of Alcohol or Actions that May Endanger the Well-being of Self or Others

Definition - any form of rapid consumption of alcohol or participation in drinking games which may create a risk of danger to self, others or the university community.  Examples include but are not limited to: bongs, shots, keg stands, beer pong, flip cup, etc.

Sanctions
First Offense -
normally, not less than disciplinary probation with possible disciplinary suspension for one year; $150 to $300 fine, 15 campus restitution hours and restitution, educational program or project, Substance Abuse Assessment and completion of recommendations, and parent/guardian notification letter.
Second Offense - normally, not less than disciplinary suspension with possible permanent separation; $200 to $400 fine, 25 campus restitution hours and restitution, educational program or project, Substance Abuse Assessment and completion of recommendations, and parent/guardian notification letter.
Third Offense - normally, not less than permanent separation.

2011.1.5 Public Consumption and/or Possession of Alcohol

Definition - possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages is allowed by students who are 21 years of age or older only in their residence or an approved location. Alcohol is not allowed in non-residential buildings or outdoors, except for events where alcohol use has been formally approved.

Sanctions
First Offense -
normally, not less than alcohol confiscated and disposed of and official reprimand; $50 fine, and Alcohol Education Program or Project. (Fine doubles if not paid within 5 days.)
Second Offense - normally, not less than alcohol confiscated and disposed of and official warning; $150 fine, 20 campus restitution hours, Alcohol Education Program or Project, Substance Abuse Assessment and compliance with recommendations, and parent/guardian notification letter. (Fine doubles if not paid within 5 days.)
Third Offense - normally, not less than alcohol confiscated and disposed of and disciplinary probation or preliminary suspension; $200 fine, 30 campus restitution hours, Substance Abuse Assessment and compliance with recommendations, and parent/guardian notification letter. (Fine doubles if not paid within 5 days.)
Fourth Offense - normally, disciplinary suspension for one year.

2011.1.6 Provision and/or Distribution of Alcohol to Students Under 21 Years of Age

Definition - By an individual - any person purchasing, providing or distributing alcohol to any individual below the age of 21 years.
Definition - By an organization - any organization that purchases, provides or distributes alcohol to any individual below the age of 21 years.
 

Sanctions - for an individual:
First Offense -
normally, not less than disciplinary probation or preliminary suspension with possible permanent separation; $200 fine, 25 campus restitution hours, Alcohol Education Program or Project, and parent/guardian notification letter. (Fine doubles if not paid within 5 days.)
Second Offense - normally, not less than disciplinary suspension for one year with possible permanent separation and $300 fine; Substance Abuse Assessment and compliance with recommendations.  If student is suspended, results and documentation of compliance with recommendations must be forwarded to Elon for consideration for re-admittance.  (Fine doubles if not paid within 5 days.)

Sanctions - By an organization (within a four-year period):
First Offense -
normally, not less than alcohol confiscated and disposed, loss of specific social privileges for up to one academic year, $200 fine, 20 restitution hours per member present at event, and Education Program or Project with possible loss of university housing and/or recognition for one year. (Fine doubles if not paid within 5 days.)
Second Offense - normally, not less than loss of university housing and/or recognition for one year with possible permanent loss of university recognition.

2011.1.7 Sponsorship of an Activity Involving the Unauthorized use of Alcoholic Beverages by Individuals, Residential communities, or University-Recognized Organizations

Definition - sponsorship of any activity or event involving the use of alcoholic beverages without specific university approval to do so, said sponsorship being carried out by a residence hall floor/suite/apartment, or organizations.

Sanctions - for individuals:
First Offense -
normally, not less than alcohol confiscated and disposed, disciplinary probation with possible disciplinary suspension; $200 fine, 40 campus restitution hours, and Alcohol Education Program or Project. (Fine doubles if not paid within 5 days.)
Second Offense - normally, not less than preliminary suspension with possible disciplinary suspension; $300 fine; Substance Abuse Assessment and compliance with recommendations.  If student is suspended, results and documentation of compliance with recommendations must be forwarded to Elon for consideration for re-admittance.  (Fine doubles if not paid within 5 days.)

Sanctions - for residential areas or Organizations (within a four-year period):
First Offense -
normally, not less than alcohol confiscated and disposed of, loss of specific social privileges, $200 fine, campus restitution hours and probationary status, with possible suspension of social privileges and/or university recognition for one academic year. (Fine doubles if not paid within 5 days.)
Second Offense - normally, not less than loss of university housing and/or recognition for one year with possible permanent loss of university recognition.

2011.1.8 Possession of a Keg, Common Alcohol Beverage Container or Excessive Amounts of Alcohol on University-Owned Property or by a Student Organization on or off the Campus

Definition - possession and/or consumption of a keg or any common container containing alcohol or any alcohol beverage container of more than 32 fluid ounces, including party balls, pony kegs and other bulk containers. This includes kegs and multi-serving containers that are empty. Students may not have more than the equivalent of 12 drinks per number of legal age residents in campus housing; one drink is a 12 ounce beer, 4 ounce glass of wine or 2 ounces of liquor.
NOTE: As with all other alcohol violations, kegs and multi-serving containers that are confiscated will not be returned to the student and all claims to deposit refunds are forfeited.

Sanctions - for individuals:
First Offense -
normally, not less than container confiscated and disposed of; disciplinary probation with possible disciplinary suspension; $200 fine, 40 campus restitution hours, Alcohol Education Program or Project. (Fine doubles if not paid within 5 days.)
Second Offense - normally, not less than preliminary suspension with possible disciplinary suspension for one year; $300 fine; Substance Abuse Assessment and compliance with recommendations.  If student is suspended, results and documentation of compliance with recommendations must be forwarded to Elon for consideration for re-admittance. (Fine doubles if not paid within 5 days.)

Sanctions - for residential areas or Organizations (within a four-year period):
First Offense -
normally, not less than alcohol confiscated and disposed of, loss of specific social privileges, $200 fine, campus restitution hours and probationary status for up to one academic year, with possible suspension of social privileges and/or university recognition for one academic year. (Fine doubles if not paid within 5 days.)
Second Offense - normally, not less than loss of university housing and/or recognition for one year with permanent loss of university recognition.

2011.1.9 Alcohol-related vehicular violations

Definition - any operation of a motor vehicle during or following consumption of alcohol that creates a risk of danger to self, others or the university community.

Sanctions
First Offense - normally, not less than preliminary suspension with possible disciplinary suspension for one year; $150 to $300 fine, 15 campus restitution hours and restitution, educational program or project, Substance Abuse Assessment and compliance with recommendations.
Second Offense - normally, not less than disciplinary suspension for one year with possible permanent separation; $200 to $400 fine, 25 campus restitution hours and restitution, educational program or project, Substance Abuse Assessment and compliance with recommendations.
Third Offense - normally, not less than permanent separation.

 

Additional safety-related policies associated with alcohol abuse:

Good Samaritan Policy

Elon embraces students helping each other and enacts this Good Samaritan rule where one student seeks appropriate care for another. If a student is with another student "in danger" or "of concern" and calls for medical aid s/he will not be held accountable for violating the university alcohol policy. The university's main concern is getting the proper care for the student in need. Students should call for help and NOT drive anyone in need of medical attention. Most students are not trained to care for the student should s/he become ill or disruptive which could impact one's ability to drive safely. Students with or observing a student "in danger” are expected to seek medical attention. If a student is with another student who has had too much to drink and does not call for assistance s/he will be held accountable with strict sanctions for “Behavior that Endangers the Health or Safety of Self and/or Others.” 

Medical Safety Policy

When an individual receives emergency medical attention related to his or her consumption of alcohol, he/she will be required to immediately complete a substance abuse assessment within a reasonable amount of time as determined by the Office of Student Conduct (typically 24-72 hours) and participate in any recommended treatment.  

As a part of the conduct process, and provided that the student did not commit any other egregious honor code violations, the student will not be subject to disciplinary suspension as a result of the alcohol violation but will receive other consequences.  (These consequences typically include being assigned preliminary suspension, our highest level of probation which carries with it the loss of study abroad and leadership privileges for one year from the date of the incident.)

Failure to complete the elements of the Medical Safety Policy will limit the student’s continued eligibility.  If there is a subsequent hospitalization, the University will review the incident on a case-by-case basis and reserves the right to handle each situation as deemed necessary.