RIT is a learning community. The best environment for learning occurs when the community promotes and supports healthy and responsible behavior among its members. Students are ultimately responsible for their behavior and must assume full consequences for it. This includes the responsible and legal use of alcohol. The goal of the "RIT Student Alcohol and Drug Policy" is to promote individual responsibility and advance the goals and expectations stated in "RIT's Expectations for Community Behavior."

This policy applies to all student members of the RIT community and their guests. It also applies to all student activities on the RIT campus and to all RIT-sponsored events where students are present. Faculty, staff and their guests are governed by a separate policy.

RIT students are subject to federal, state and local laws regarding alcohol and drug use. Serious civil and criminal legal liabilities can result from possession, use, serving, sale or unlawful manufacturing of drugs and/or alcohol. RIT will not protect individuals or groups from law enforcement by legal authorities with respect to drugs and alcohol use or abuse.

Individuals or organizations who hold private parties or sponsor private events where alcohol is served or consumed assume full personal responsibility and liability for compliance with the law and for conduct related to the consumption of alcohol by attendees, participants and guests. Officers of organizations that sponsor parties or events, or other hosts or people whose apartment, residence hall room or office is the site where drinking occurs, will be held responsible for complying with the provisions of this policy.

Provisions Governing the Possession and Use of Alcohol

1. Alcohol may not be illegally used, possessed, manufactured or exchanged on RIT owned or operated property or at RIT sponsored events. No alcohol may be sold or exchanged for money on RIT property or at RIT-sponsored events without a New York State liquor license. The RITskeller will continue to be a licensed premise and will be permitted to serve alcohol to individuals who are at least 21 years of age.
2. The consumption or possession of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in all RIT residence halls (including Greek houses and house basements), regardless of age or circumstances.
3. The consumption or possession of alcoholic beverages is permitted in RIT operated apartments 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. 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 apartment contract for a particular facility or obtained from Residence Life and housing Operations.
4. The guests at all privately sponsored parties where alcohol is to be served must be invited by direct personal invitation only. General "come all" posters, flyers, or mass electronic invitations will not be permitted for events designated as private parties. Only the Ritskeller or an institutionally designated space can be used for a community-wide event where alcohol is to be served to students or student groups.
5. Public Safety and other RIT officials have the right to terminate events and take appropriate actions if they determine that it is probable that Institute policy and/or New York State law is being violated at any gathering on the RIT campus, in RIT operated facilities, or at campus-sponsored functions.
6. Bulk containers of beer (kegs or beer balls) are prohibited in all RIT operated apartments. Such containers are permitted only in institutionally designated party areas where alcohol can be served for parties or special events, or in areas that are covered by a New York State Liquor License.
7. Open containers of alcohol are not permitted outdoors on the RIT campus without prior authorization. Authorization will be given in situations where alcohol is to be served in conjunction with an officially sponsored RIT student event. The authorization process for use of alcohol in these situations is coordinated through the Center for Campus Life in the Student Alumni Union. (See "Registration Procedures for Events Where Alcohol is Served/Consumed on the RIT Campus" for specifics.)
8. All student events and parties where alcohol is served, possessed or consumed must abide by all existing Institute policies and procedures regarding the use, possession, sale, and distribution of alcohol and may be further restricted by existing municipal and state ordinances. Prior to planning any activity or event were alcohol is to be served, individuals/groups should consult the Center for Campus Life located in the Student Alumni Union regarding the provisions and restrictions governing alcohol use at RIT activities and events.
9. Student sponsored parties/events where alcohol is served may be held in designated areas on the RIT campus. (Private parties held in RIT operated apartments are covered in item 3 above.) Alcoholic beverages can be served at these student sponsored parties and events on campus only by RIT Food Service or by an approved third-party vendor. Registration and authorization for such events can be obtained through the Center for Campus Life in the Student Alumni Union. The Center coordinates the procedures for securing authorization from the State Liquor Board to sell/serve alcohol; this process takes a minimum of ten (10) business days.
10. Behavior which is dangerous to oneself or others and/or disturbs the learning and/or living environment in RIT operated facilities or at any RIT sponsored activity/event is strictly prohibited. Such behavior will result in Public Safety intervention and campus judicial action.
11. Serving, selling or providing alcohol to persons who are under 21 years of age, or possession of alcohol by someone under 21 years of age, is prohibited by both New York State law and RIT regulations. Any person who exhibits behavior which suggests that excessive drinking has occurred cannot be served or permitted continued access to alcohol. Individuals who serve such individuals alcoholic beverages will face Public Safety intervention, campus judicial action, and possible civil and criminal prosecution.
12. Use of false or altered identification or other misrepresentation of one's age in order to possess or consume alcohol is explicitly forbidden.
13. In order to avoid the dangerous and possibly fatal effects of alcohol poisoning, an individual who has "passed out" or shows other signs of serious effects from alcohol consumption should immediately be brought to the attention of Public Safety, RIT Ambulance, the Residence Life staff, or some other person able to assist or to get assistance. Seeking such help is encouraged by RIT.
14. Students violating the RIT Student Alcohol and Drug Policy will be subject to the campus judicial process published in the "Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook," and to the judicial actions and sanctions described in this policy. All guests or visitors to the campus must also comply with the provisions of this policy or risk removal from the campus and possible future restriction from campus property.

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If a student or student organization violates the RIT Alcohol Policy, the following judicial outcomes should be anticipated: [ Click here for ASL version ]

Behavior Consequences Possession of Alcohol

• in residence halls and Greek houses regardless of age
• under 21 years of age
• possession of bulk alcohol

First Offense: [ Click here for ASL version ]

• Disciplinary Probation

Second Offense:[ Click here for ASL version ]

• Deferred Disciplinary Suspension/Deferred Removal and Possible Referral for a Chemical Dependency Screening

Third Offense:[ Click here for ASL version ]

• Disciplinary Suspension or Removal from housing with appropriate conditions

Behavior Which Suggests the Excessive Consumption of Alcohol

First Offense: [ Click here for ASL version ]

• Probable Deferred Disciplinary Suspension/Deferred Removal from Housing
• Possible Referral to Alternative Educational Sanction Program
• Possible referral for a Chemical Dependency Screening

Second Offense: [ Click here for ASL version ]

• Disciplinary Suspension and/or Removal from housing with appropriate conditions

Serious Policy Violations [ Click here for ASL version ]

(Including serving alcohol to minors, hazing events involving alcohol or dangerous behavior as a result of alcohol)

First Offense: [ Click here for ASL version ]

• Probable Disciplinary Suspension and/or Removal from housing with appropriate conditions

DWI on Campus [ Click here for ASL version ]

First Offense: [ Click here for ASL version ]

• Referral to local law enforcement agency
• Disciplinary Suspension

Student Organizational Violations Related to Alcohol [ Click here for ASL version ]

First Offense: [ Click here for ASL version ]

• Educational and/or community related sanctions
• Possible Disciplinary Suspension of organization and/or Removal of recognition

These guidelines are examples of responses that will most likely result when there have been violations of the RIT Alcohol Policy. Each incident is handled individually. The prior judicial background of the student(s) involved and the impact of the incident on the student and the RIT community are considered when decisions are rendered. In some cases, even though it may be a first offense, the impact of an incident may call for a more serious response.

A sanction of Deferred Suspension or higher will require the dependent student to notify his/her parents or legal guardians about the decision and have the parents/legal guardians contact the Office of Judicial Affairs for verification. [ Click here for ASL version ]

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Provisions Governing the Possession and Use of Illegal Drugs [ Click here for ASL version ]

1. RIT explicitly prohibits use, possession, sale, manufacturing or trafficking of illegal drugs on RIT owned or operated property, or at RIT sponsored events.
2. In order to avoid the dangerous and possibly fatal effects of drug overdose, an individual who has "passed out' or shows other signs of serious effects from drug use should immediately be brought to the attention of Public Safety, RIT Ambulance, the Residence Life staff or some other person able to assist or to get assistance. Seeking such help is encouraged by RIT.
3. Students violating the RIT Student Alcohol and Drug Policy will be subject to the campus judicial process, published in the "Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook," and to the judicial actions and sanctions described in this policy. RIT students will be held responsible for the behavior of their guests. All guests or visitors to the campus must also comply with the provisions of this policy or risk removal from the campus and possible future restriction from campus property.

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Sanctions Regarding Violations of RIT Student Drug Policy [ Click here for ASL version ]

If a student or student organization violates the RIT Drug Policy, the following judicial outcomes should be anticipated:

Behavior Consequences Use/Possession of Illegal Drug

First Offense: [ Click here for ASL version ]

• Deferred Disciplinary Suspension, Deferred Removal or Removal from RIT housing
• possible referral for a chemical dependency screening
• Possible Alternative Education Program

Second Offense: [ Click here for ASL version ]

• Disciplinary Suspension or Dismissal, Drug treatment while on suspension from the Institute

Selling or Trafficking of Illegal Drugs [ Click here for ASL version ]

• Disciplinary Suspension, Dismissal or Expulsion Referral to local law enforcement agencies

[ Click here for ASL version ]
These guidelines are examples of responses that will most likely result when there have been violations of the RIT Drug Policy. Each incident is handled individually. The prior judicial background of the student(s) involved and the impact of the incident on the student and the RIT community are considered when decisions are rendered. In some cases, even though it may be a first offense, the impact of an incident may call for a more serious response.

A sanction of Deferred Suspension or higher will require the dependent student to notify his/her parents or legal guardians about the decision and have the parents/legal guardians contact the Office of Judicial Affairs for verification.

Approved by Institute Council - 2/11/98

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