Policy Number:  D.18.1
Policy Name:  Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy

RIT is a community that believes the best environment for learning occurs when the community promotes and supports healthy and responsible behavior among its members. Students make their own choices and are ultimately responsible for their behavior. The purpose of the Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy is to promote individual responsibility and advance the goals and expectations central to the university mission. The Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy applies to all Student members of the university community and their guests. Faculty and staff, and their guests, are governed by a separate policy (C 15.2 -Faculty/Staff Alcohol and Drug Policy).

RIT follows all local, state, and federal laws. Students and Student organizations are subject to local, state and federal laws regarding alcohol and drug use, and the university will not protect individuals or groups from law enforcement with respect to drugs and alcohol use or abuse.
     
In order to avoid the dangerous and possibly fatal effects of alcohol poisoning or overdosing from other drugs, an individual who has passed out or shows other signs of serious effects from alcohol or other drug consumption should immediately be brought to the attention of Public Safety, RIT Ambulance, the Center for Residence Life staff, or some other person able to assist or to get assistance. Seeking such help is encouraged by the university and the Good Samaritan Protocol, listed below.

1. Responsible and Legal Use
   1. Legal Use. Alcohol and other drugs may not be illegally used, possessed, manufactured or distributed. Distribution includes serving, selling, or providing either alcohol to persons who are under 21 years of age or drugs to persons of any age. Examples of illegal use includes:
      1. Open Containers. Open containers of alcohol are not permitted outdoors on the university campus without prior authorization.
      2. Fake IDs. Use of false or altered identification or other misrepresentation of one's age in order to possess or consume alcohol is explicitly forbidden.
      3. Cover Charges. No alcohol may be sold or exchanged for money on university property or at university-sponsored events without a New York State liquor license.
      4. Distribution of Legal Drugs. Sharing or distributing prescription medicine or other legal drugs, with or without the exchange of money, is prohibited.
   2. Excessive Drinking. Behavior that is inappropriate or endangering which suggests excessive drinking regardless of age is prohibited.
   3. Driving Under the Influence. Driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs is forbidden.

            University Housing

4. Residence Halls, Global Village, Greek Housing. The consumption or possession of alcoholic beverages is prohibited, regardless of age or circumstances.
5. University Apartments. The consumption or possession of alcoholic beverages is permitted in university operated apartments (Colony Manor, Perkins Green, RIT Inn, Racquet Club, Riverknoll, and University Commons) only by those residents of the apartment who are at least 21 years of age. Alcohol possession and consumption is not permitted in common or public areas within apartment complexes.
   1. Occupancy. Parties in apartments are to be limited to invited guests of a number that is defined by building occupancy codes and that can be accommodated without disturbing the community. These numbers may be found in the RIT Housing Terms and Conditions.
   2. Advertising. The guests at all privately hosted parties where alcohol is to be served must be invited by direct personal invitation only. General "come all" posters, flyers, or mass electronic invitations are only permitted for events that are approved through the Center for Campus Life Event Registration process.
6. Drug Accessories. Drug accessories and other drug delivery systems used for illegal drugs, including, but not limited to, bongs, bowls, and pipes, are prohibited.
7. Bulk Containers. Bulk containers of alcohol, such as kegs, are prohibited in all university apartments.
8. Drinking Games/Rapid Consumption. Items/substances used to dispense alcohol in a rapid manner, (e.g., beer bongs, funnels, Jell-O shots, etc.) or drinking games (e.g., "Quarters," "Beer Pong," etc.) are prohibited.

            Events

9. Student Events. All student events and parties where alcohol is served, possessed, or consumed must abide by all existing university policies and procedures regarding the use, possession, sale, and distribution of alcohol and may be further restricted by existing municipal and state ordinances. The authorization process for use of alcohol and securing authorization from the New York State Liquor Board in these situations is coordinated through the Center for Campus Life Event Registration process.

2. Good Samaritan Protocol

Student health and safety is a primary concern for the university community. Students are expected to contact Public Safety when it is believed an individual needs medical attention due to the abuse of alcohol or other drugs including prescription, over the counter, or other. The Good Samaritan Protocol is designed to provide education rather than discipline when a student voluntarily contacts university personnel (e.g., Public Safety, Resident Advisor/Community Advocate) or outside emergency services for medical assistance related to alcohol or other drugs. Individuals covered by the Good Samaritan Protocol are the caller, the person in need of assistance, the host Student organization, and any witnesses named in the incident report.

Center for Student Conduct staff determine whether or not the Good Samaritan Protocol is applicable for each incident. Incidents involving sex discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual violence, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking shall be covered by the Good Samaritan Protocol for those students reporting or intervening to prevent harm to a particular student. Incidents involving other violence or serious code violations, such as hazing, will not apply. A conduct officer will contact the Student or the Student organization involved in the incident to arrange for a meeting. There will be no official charges or conduct status from the university through the Good Samaritan Protocol. The person who made the call to university personnel may be invited to the meeting. At the meeting, the incident will be reviewed with the Student or Student organization to determine an appropriate educational response, which could include participation in an educational group or class, program presentations, counseling intake session, or substance abuse education and/or evaluation. A response may also include parental/ guardian notification of the incident.

If a Student or Student organization fails to attend the initial meeting with the conduct officer or complete the educational responses following the meeting, the incident will be referred to the Student Conduct Process.

3. Common Responses for Violations of the Alcohol and Other Drug Policy

The responses listed are intended to guide the process of determining the most reasonable outcome to potential violations of the Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Policy. Each reported incident will be reviewed individually and an appropriate response will be assigned given the specific circumstances. In some cases, despite it being a first time violation, there may be a more serious response. Student organizations can also be assigned the same responses listed below.

Responsible Office: Center for Student Conduct

Effective Date: Approved December 1962

Policy History:
Revised 2006
Edited for department/title changes August 2008
Edited September 2010
Revised March 2012
Revised August 2014 – supersedes Policy C15.1 Student Alcohol and Drug Policy