Alcohol and Other Drug Policies
PLEASE NOTE: This policy is currently under review by the Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy Task Force.The policy found here will remain in effect until the task force completes its work in fall 2008.When the new policy is completed, the community will be notified of the change in policy and the new policy will be available online.
Sarah Lawrence College does not condone the abuse of alcohol and/or illegal use of alcohol or other drugs on campus. Campus areas include SLC cooperative housing and residence halls as well as classrooms, galleries, and other public spaces.
The College regards the illegal use of alcohol and other drugs and the abuse of alcohol as problems that affect our community. It is important that students, faculty, and staff be aware of the College’s Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy as well as New York State laws and City of Yonkers ordinances (Appendix 2). The College does accord those of legal age (21) the privilege to drink alcohol responsibly on campus following the guidelines set forth in the following policies.
The influence of alcohol or other drugs is not an excuse for unacceptable behavior and will not be seen as a mitigating factor in disciplinary hearings.
Alcohol Use
Underage Consumption/Possession of Alcohol
Definition: In accordance with New York State Law, individuals under the legal age of 21 shall not possess or consume any alcoholic beverage.
Underage individuals are not allowed to consume or be in possession of alcohol on campus at any time. Any college official can request an ID from any student or guest on campus with what is perceived to be alcohol. Alcohol will be confiscated from underage individuals and a community violation ticket will be issued. Only a person who is of legal drinking age may keep alcohol for personal own use in the common area.
Sanctions
- Warning*
- Housing probation or restriction of campus access and referral to Health Services*
- Loss of housing and/or social probation*
- Suspension*
*When appropriate, additional sanctions may include a mandatory educational program.
Providing Alcohol to a Minor or Someone Who Is Visibly Intoxicated
Definition: In accordance with New York State Law, the serving or distribution of alcoholic beverages to any person who is visibly intoxicated or under 21 is prohibited.
It is a violation of college policy and the law to knowingly furnish, procure, deliver, give, or sell alcohol to anyone under the legal drinking age whether individually or in the context of a party hosted in the living space assigned to the student.When there is reason to believe that underage drinking is taking place in a student room, college officials may enter the room and do a visual inspection after knocking and announcing their presence.
Sanctions
- Housing probation and/or restriction of campus access
- Loss of housing and/or social probation
- Suspension
Open Container of Alcohol in a Public Area
Definition: In accordance with the City of Yonkers Ordinance, the consumption of alcoholic beverages in public spaces, or possession of an open container (bottle, can, or cup) of an alcoholic beverage out-of-doors anywhere on the Sarah Lawrence campus is prohibited, including areas right outside the doorways of residences. At College-sponsored events, an area may be designated for alcohol. Additionally, consumption of alcohol in residence hallways, stairwells, and elevators is prohibited. Consumption is not prohibited in kitchens and living rooms in SLC houses and apartments.
Any containers of what is perceived to be alcohol can be tested using alcohol test strips if the person possessing it maintains that it does not contain alcohol or refuses to respond as to whether or not it contains alcohol. If the person refuses to relinquish the drink or dumps it out, the assumption, for the purposes of issuing a community violation, will be that the drink did contain alcohol and the person will also be cited for failing to comply with a College official. When it is anticipated that alcohol may be brought into a campus event, College officials can search all bags and packages entering the area and request that jackets/coats be removed for inspection.
Sanctions
- Warning
- Housing probation and/or restriction of campus access and referral to Health Services
- Loss of housing and/or social probation
- Suspension
Excessive Consumption of Alcohol
Definition: Intoxication anywhere on campus that results in behavior that is disruptive to the community or places the student or others at risk of harm will be considered a violation of community standards regardless of the age of the intoxicated individual. A student who exhibits behavior that is disruptive to others through loud or aggressive behavior, or a need for the intervention of others to provide assistance, and any students who are in a state of intoxication that presents a medical risk to themselves will be considered to be intoxicated at a level that violates this policy. Any student who, in the opinion of a College official and/or medical personnel, requires medical attention because of intoxication level will be subject to disciplinary action. In addition, parents will be notified any time a student is taken to the hospital due to alcohol use.
Sanctions
- Warning and referral to Health Services
- Leave with review
Providing Alcohol that Directly Contributes to Excessive Consumption
Definition: It is a violation of College policy and the law to knowingly furnish, procure, deliver, give, or sell alcohol to anyone who is already intoxicated whether individually or in the context of a party hosted in the living space assigned to the student. Activities that encourage excessive consumption are also prohibited:
- All mass consumption containers (e.g. kegs, beerballs) are prohibited on campus without prior authorization from the Office of Student Affairs. Public Safety will confiscate and empty all unauthorized kegs. The empty keg may be retrieved by its original purchaser the following weekday through the Operations and Facilities Office. Kegs will not be released to anyone under 21.
- No College-sponsored events may include any form of drinking contest in its activities or promotion.
Sanctions
- Loss of event registration privileges, housing probation, and/or restriction of campus access
- Loss of housing and/or social probation
- Suspension
Alcohol Policies Related to Campus Events
Definition: The College enforces several policies that are specifically related to registered campus events (please see Event Registration on page 100 for more information):
- All alcohol must be served by a designated server who does not consume alcohol during the event.
- The amount of alcohol will be predetermined and additional alcohol may not be present, neither that which is provided by the host nor additional alcohol brought in by attendees of the event.
- The College will not sanction alcohol marketing or promotional campaigns.
- Publicity and posters for events with alcohol may not mention alcohol or imply that it will be served.
- Alcohol may not be sold directly or indirectly at events or parties, therefore no fees or admission charges can be collected at any event where alcohol is present. Donations collected may not be used to pay for alcohol.
- Alcoholic beverages may not be taken out of the defined area for alcohol consumption at an event.
Sanctions
- The event may be cancelled upon discovery of any of the above, either before the event is held or if the event is in progress. Depending on the violation, the host of the event may be subject to loss of event registration privileges, housing probation, restriction of campus access, and/or other disciplinary responses depending on the specific violation.
- Loss of housing and/or social probation
- Suspension
Unregistered Event with Alcohol
Definition: Unregistered parties of more than 16 people where alcohol is distributed and/or consumed are in violation of College policy. (This number was determined by the Committee on Undergraduate Student Life.)
Once a complaint is received about such a gathering, Public Safety will require all guests to disperse and a community violation ticket will be issued to the host. If no individual accepts responsibility as host, all residents of the room/house will be issued community violation tickets. If the non-resident attendees of the unregistered party refuse to disperse, they will be issued a community violation as well.
Sanctions
- Loss of Senior Week privileges and/or housing probation. Additionally, events will be prohibited from being registered in the living environment (if the space was eligible to have registered events to begin with) for a specified amount of time.
- Loss of housing and/or social probation
- Suspension
Good Samaritan Policy
The College’s main concern is the well-being, health, and safety of its students. The College recognizes that in an alcohol- or other drug-related emergency, the potential for disciplinary action by the College may act as a barrier to students seeking medical assistance for other students. Therefore, the College employs a Good Samaritan Policy: If a student has violated the College Alcohol or Other Drugs Policy, but also seeks help for another student who is intoxicated or under the influence of another drug, this latter act will be considered in the sanctioning process.
Possession, Use, or Distribution of Illegal Drugs
Sarah Lawrence prohibits the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of drugs by any student or employee of the College while on College premises, while performing work for the College, on or off its premises, or while otherwise participating in any College activity, on or off College premises.
Definition: Federal and New York State laws prohibit the possession of illegal drugs, which are defined as controlled substances that cannot be obtained legally or which, although available legally, have been obtained illegally. This includes prescription drugs that have not been lawfully prescribed for the individual and the misuse of legally prescribed drugs by the individual to whom the drugs were prescribed. (See the Federal Controlled Substances Act for a list of controlled substances.)
This policy does not prohibit a student or employee from using prescription drugs prescribed for that person by a licensed health care professional, provided the drug is used by the individual for whom the prescription is written, and is used both in accordance with the physician’s instructions and in a therapeutic dosage.
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia or Illegal Drugs
Definition: Drug paraphernalia includes those items made expressly for the purpose of supporting the use or distribution of illegal drugs or items made for another purpose, but used for the distribution or use of drugs. Items with the purpose or effect of facilitating the abuse of alcohol may also be considered in this category.
Sanctions
- Housing probation or restricted campus access and Health Services referral
- Leave with review
Use of Illegal Drugs that Leads to Hospitalization
Definition: Any student who, in the opinion of a College official and/or medical personnel, requires medical attention because of illegal drug use will be subject to disciplinary action. In addition, parents will be notified any time a student is taken to the hospital due to use of illegal drugs.
Sanctions
- Housing probation and/or restriction of campus access and referral to Health Services
- Leave with review
Distribution of Illegal Drugs or Prescription Medication
Federal and New York State laws prohibit the distribution of illegal drugs, which are defined as controlled substances that cannot be obtained legally or which, although obtained legally, have been distributed illegally. Distribution includes purchase, sale, or other transfer of any substance in any amount, and any attempt to distribute.
Sanction
- Expulsion
Alcohol and Other Drug Interventions
Our first concern in situations where alcohol and/or drug use is problematic is the health of the student. This is an issue of community concern, and it is the responsibility of members of our community to know where help is available for those who need it.We have resources on campus through Health Services, and we provide referrals to off-campus organizations. Students receive help through a number of avenues. Often, evaluations and counseling are required when a student exhibits behavior that is demonstrably in violation of the College Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy. Evaluations may also be required of students whose use of alcohol or drugs is disruptive or life threatening to themselves or others within the community.When a student is not able to function effectively in the academic program due to alcohol and/or drug use, an evaluation may also be required in that situation.
A student may be required to seek an evaluation and follow recommendations of the Health Services clinician as a result of a disciplinary sanction applied by a member of the Student Affairs staff or, in the case of a graduate student, by the dean of graduate studies and the program director. A student may also be required to seek an evaluation with Health Services and follow the recommendations of the Health Services clinician as a result of academic concerns by a member of the Dean of Studies staff. Failure to have the evaluation or to follow the recommendations may result in further action including a required leave with review from the College. If a recommendation is made by the Health Services staff that requires the student to attend an intensive or extended program of rehabilitation, the student may petition for a leave with review for the duration of the treatment.
Students may also receive help based on referrals from other students, faculty, or staff. As members of a small and close community, we are often aware of the use/abuse of alcohol or drugs by our friends, peers, students, or colleagues. In cases where substance use is negatively affecting the health, academic performance, emotional well-being, or behavior of another, we are in a position to offer help through intervention.
Resources
There are many resources available to those who would like help with substance use issues, whether for oneself or another. The following list includes some of the local resources available to those seeking information, support, and help regarding alcohol and drug use. The College does not endorse any of the organizations or vouch for the efficacy of any treatment/recovery option. Please consult Health Services for more information. In addition, undergraduate students are encouraged to speak to their don, RA, GA, or a member of the Dean of Studies or Student Affairs staffs. Health Services staff members have extensive experience in drug and alcohol counseling and are available on campus to meet with students or concerned friends or faculty. Appointments may be scheduled by calling x2350.
Alcoholics Anonymous
(www.alcoholics-anonymous.org)
12-step, abstinence-based. Meets on campus in Sheffield, Room # 22
Tuesdays, 8 p.m.;Wednesdays, 6 p.m.; Sundays, 1 p.m.
Al-Anon/Alateen
(www.al-anon-alateen.org)
Help for families and friends of alcoholics
Smart Recovery Self-Help Network
(www.smartrecovery.org)
Abstinence-based, but not 12-step or spiritually based program
Moderation Management
(www.moderation.org)
Moderation, balance, self-management, personal responsibility
Marijuana Anonymous
(www.marijuana-anonymous.org)
12-step, abstinence-based
Harm Reduction
(www.harmreductioncounseling.com)
An alternative treatment approach that views the reduction of harm as a goal for substance users