Possession of alcoholic beverages of any kind by students is prohibited on College property, including BIL Hill and the Lodge, as well as in conjunction with College activities (with the exception of the international trip consistent with the laws of the country being visited). Students may not store alcohol in vehicles parked on College property. Students found in violation of these policies through the consumption, possession, or distribution of alcohol are subject to campus disciplinary action. The College administration may also involve local law enforcement or emergency agencies in situations involving alcohol whenever deemed appropriate. Examples of these types of situations include students or guests who fail to comply with orders or directives of College officials when asked to forfeit suspicious beverages, who become disruptive due to alcohol consumption, and who are intoxicated to the point that they present a clear and present danger to themselves or others. Pursuant to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), the College may notify the parents of students under the age of 21 who are alleged to be in violation of this policy. The College may contact parents prior to any disciplinary hearing and is not required to inform students of the notification. The vice president for student life and enrollment will maintain a record of any parental disclosures that will be provided to the student involved, upon request.
The possession of empty alcohol containers (including passdown bottles) is prohibited, and students will be subject to disciplinary action. Possession, consumption, or distribution of alcoholic beverages (or empty containers) on any part of the campus is a Major Violation, subject to the Major Violation Grievance Procedure.
Short-Term Health Risks of Alcohol Abuse
Excessive alcohol use has immediate effects that increase the risk of many harmful health conditions. These are most often the result of binge drinking and include the following:
- Injuries, such as motor vehicle crashes, falls, drownings, and burns.
- Violence, including homicide, suicide, sexual assault, and intimate partner violence.
- Alcohol poisoning, a medical emergency that results from high blood alcohol levels.
- Risky sexual behaviors, including unprotected sex or sex with multiple partners. These behaviors can result in unintended pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.
- Miscarriage and stillbirth or fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) among pregnant women.
Long-Term Health Risks of Alcohol Abuse
- Over time, excessive alcohol use can lead to the development of chronic diseases and other serious problems including:
- High blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and digestive problems.
- Cancer of the breast, mouth, throat, esophagus, voice box, liver, colon, and rectum.
- Weakening of the immune system, increasing the chances of getting sick.
- Learning and memory problems, including dementia and poor school performance.
- Mental health problems, including depression and anxiety.
- Social problems, including family problems, job-related problems, and unemployment.
- Alcohol use disorders, or alcohol dependence.
For more information follow the following link, Alcohol Use and Your Health.
See also Medical Amnesty and Good Samaritan Policy later in this section.