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Alcohol Policy
The online Student Handbook is produced as a resource for the
students, faculty, staff, and administration of Dickinson College. Content
is subject to change. Please contact the appropriate person or office to obtain
the most current information.
The college acknowledges and supports the safe, legal and
responsible consumption of alcohol. The college requires that its students
comply with legal standards for alcohol use. Misuse and abuse of alcohol
impacts the academic and social success of students in our community and will
not be tolerated due to their impact on the community at Dickinson College.
Further, it is the expectation of the community that those
students who are legally eligible to drink will affirm their commitment the
community by consuming alcohol responsibly and in locations that do not put
underage students at risk. This Alcohol Policy, together with the Community
Standards and the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, provide the
framework for guiding decisions around alcohol use.
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that is
absorbed into the bloodstream and transmitted to all parts of the body.
Moderate doses reduce physical coordination and mental alertness, while larger
doses drastically impair an individual’s ability to function, sometimes to the
point of unconsciousness or death. Long term drinking increases the risk of
developing liver and heart disease, circulatory and stomach problems, various
forms of cancer and irreversible brain damage.
•
Alcohol is the number one killer of young people
in America.
•
Over 70 percent of all acquaintance rapes
involve alcohol.
•
Every 21 minutes someone is killed in an
alcohol-related accident.
For more information on the effects of alcohol, contact the
Counseling Center or Health Center. If you need help managing alcohol use in
your life or in the life of someone close to you, please refer to the Resources
section of this policy.
In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania:
- The minimum age for the
purchase, consumption or possession of alcoholic beverages is 21 years.
- It is illegal to furnish
or serve alcoholic beverages to any person under the age of 21.
- The law prohibits carrying
or consuming alcoholic beverages in open containers out-of-doors on public
property, regardless of a person’s age.
- It is illegal to possess
or use false identification or to misrepresent one’s age for the purpose of
obtaining or consuming alcoholic beverages.
- No group which is not
licensed by the Liquor Control Board (LCB) may sell alcoholic beverages.
The use of chits, chips, tickets or other means of exchange in place of
cash violates LCB regulations.
- It is illegal to appear in
any public place manifestly under the influence of alcohol to the degree
that you may endanger yourself or other persons or property or annoy persons
in your vicinity.
- A person under the age of
21 is prohibited from operating a motor vehicle with ANY alcohol in his/
her system.
- Driving under the influence
of alcohol (blood alcohol level of 0.08% or greater) is illegal.
The Dickinson Community Standards state that “The
possession, use, sale, provision and/or distribution of alcohol, except as
permitted by law, is a violation of the Dickinson College Community Standards
as well as possible violations of local, state and/or federal laws.” Incidents
involving the misuse of alcohol will be reviewed by the Office of Student
Conduct. Below is a non-exhaustive list of specific acts deemed to be misuse of
alcohol at Dickinson College.
Underage Possession/Consumption Any student under the legal drinking age may not possess, consume or be
under the influence of alcohol.
Drinking Games
Any activity or game that promotes or encourages the
consumption of large amounts of alcohol is prohibited. This includes, but is
not limited to, such activities as beer pong, flip cup or drinking
competitions.
Alcohol Paraphernalia
The possession of materials used in drinking games or other
activities that promote or encourage the consumption of large amounts of
alcohol is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, beer pong tables,
beer funnels, beer/party balls, kegs and beer bongs.
Hosting Underage Guests
Any student who serves alcohol to underage students or does
not have the service of alcohol monitored by a TIPS‐trained bartender is violating College
policy.
Public Intoxication
Any student who is under the influence of alcohol resulting
in a disturbance to community members, college officials, law enforcement
and/or property is violating college policy.
Hosting/Attending an Unregistered Event
Any event with alcohol and five (5) or more guests, in
addition to the residents, must be registered. Hosting or attending an
unregistered event with alcohol that should have been registered through the
Office of Campus Life is prohibited.
Kegs/ Large Volume Containers
Kegs, beer/party balls, punch bowls or the equivalent are
not permitted unless specifically authorized by the Office of Campus Life.
Multiple Locations
Events or activities, whether formally or informally
organized, which simultaneous serve alcohol in three or more spaces, or
encourage dangerous consumption, are not permitted (i.e., “Around the World” or
progressive parties).
Other Dangerous Conduct
The consumption of large quantities of alcohol or the
sustained consumption of alcohol that interferes with a student’s participation in the academic
residential community and/or that poses a risk to the health or safety of the
students or others is prohibited.
Violations of the Alcohol Policy will be handled via the
Dickinson Community Standards and students will be held accountable by the
Office of Student Conduct. Students who violate the law may also be held
accountable by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Be advised:
- If students under the age
of 21 are found to be in a location where alcohol is being consumed, other
than at an event being held in compliance with the college’s “Hosting
Guide for Events with Alcohol,” the college will presume that the underage
students are in the possession of, and have been consuming, alcohol. It is
therefore best for those under the age of 21 not to be in situations that
give the appearance of Alcohol Policy violations or violations of
Pennsylvania Law.
- Those students over the
age of 21 who are hosting unregistered events at which alcohol is provided
should know that they bear a special responsibility under the Community
Standards and Pennsylvania law to prove that they were not providing
alcohol to minors and that persons under the age of 21 were not consuming
or possessing alcohol.
A summary of penalties related to alcohol may be found
online at the Pennsylvania
Liquor Control Board. For additional information regarding penalties for
misuse of alcohol, see the Drug Free College Community section of this
handbook. Individuals seeking legal advice regarding alcohol laws should
consult legal counsel.
Events where alcohol will be present must be registered with
the Office of Campus Life in the Lower Level of the Holland Union Building.
Guidelines for registering and hosting an event with alcohol can be found in
the Dickinson College “Hosting Guide for Events with Alcohol” available from
the Office of Campus Life.
Emergency Assistance:
On-campus call x1111 (717-245-1111) or contact your RA
Off-campus call 911
Medical Treatment:
Health Center x1835 (717-245-1835)
Carlisle Regional Medical Center Emergency Department 717-
960-1695
Emotional Support:
Counseling Center x1485 (717-245-1485)
Community Resources:
Alcoholics Anonymous 717-249-6673
Holy Spirit Hospital Drug and Alcohol Services 717-763-2369
The Letort Center 717-243-9000 (confidential treatment for
addictions)