Alcohol Policy
The following sections describe University of Saint Francis policy regarding the sale, service, distribution, and consumption of alcoholic beverages on university property or at University of Saint Francis-sponsored events in accordance with federal, state and local laws.
Basic Guidelines
The legal age to purchase, possess and/or consume alcoholic beverages in the state of Indiana is 21 years of age. USF supports all local, state, and federal laws relating to the use of alcoholic beverages and strictly enforces these laws both on and off campus. The University seeks to develop good habits and responsible behavior around alcohol while allowing for moderate and appropriate drinking within the guidelines provided herein. The following policy will be adhered to regarding the use of alcohol on campus:
Individuals Under the Legal Age of 21 Years:
- May not possess, consume, or transport alcohol;
- Students under the legal age of 21 residing in Padua Hall (i.e. not permitted in Trinity, Bonzel, or Clare Halls; see Residence Hall Policies for more information):
- May not have alcohol present in room unless his/her roommate(s) is of legal drinking age and the alcohol belongs to the roommate(s);
- May not allow people who are of legal drinking age to consume alcohol in the room unless they are guests of his/her roommate(s), and the roommate is of legal drinking age and is also present ;
- May not allow people who are of legal drinking age to drink in the shared space of the apartment unless the person is a guest of a suitemate who is also of legal drinking age and is present;
- May not possess paraphernalia associated with the rapid ingestion of alcohol or drinking games, e.g. funnels, beer pong tables, etc.;
- May not possess or display alcohol signs or empty alcoholic beverage containers.
Individuals 21 Years and Older residing in Padua Hall:
- May possess moderate amounts of alcohol for personal consumption – if he/she resides within Padua Hall (i.e. not permitted in Trinity, Bonzel, or Clare Halls);
- “Moderate” amounts of alcohol are defined as: one six-pack of beer or wine cooler (i.e. Seagrams, Mike’s Hard Lemonade, Hard Cider, etc.), or one 375-ml bottle of hard liquor, or one 750-ml bottle of wine;
- Students may not possess or consume liquor in excess of 100 proof, grain alcohol, or possess/consume caffeinated alcoholic energy drinks (including but not limited to: Four Loko, Sparks, Joose, Spylles, 24/7, etc.).
- May not possess paraphernalia associated with the rapid ingestion of alcohol and/or drinking games, including but not limited to funnels, beer pong tables, etc.;
- May not possess kegs or ponies of any size, or similar bulk or common source containers used for mass consumption of alcohol;
- May not possess or consume alcoholic beverages in public areas, including but not limited to hallways, lounges, stairwells, classrooms, restrooms, or anywhere on University grounds including parking lots, unless within the confines of a University sponsored event that has been approved by the Vice President for Student Affairs (or designee);
- May not provide alcoholic beverages to any person under 21 years of age;
- Must dispose of all empty alcohol containers in a responsible manner – possession of empty containers will be considered as part of the total amount a student of legal age may possess in his/her room.
Note: An individual student’s privilege to possess alcohol may be terminated or suspended at any time based upon violation of these policies, violation of law, misuse of alcohol, or other failure to prove responsible use. The University reserves the right to determine the responsible use of alcohol under all circumstances.
Not Permitted Regardless of Age
- Public intoxication as indicated by the appearance or behavior such as slurred speech, unstable walk, unconsciousness, alcohol on breath, vomiting, disorderliness or offensive behavior resulting from alcohol use is prohibited;
- Off-campus guests and non-residential students are not permitted to bring alcohol onto campus regardless of age, unless within the confines of a University sponsored event that has been approved by the Vice President for Student Affairs (or designee);
- Alcohol use in college-owned or contracted vehicles is prohibited;
- Possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages in public areas, including but not limited to hallways, lounges, stairwells, classrooms, restrooms, or anywhere on University grounds, including parking lots, unless within the confines of a University sponsored event that has been approved by the Vice President for Student Affairs (or designee). (Note: any door left open of a room containing alcohol is considered a public space.)
See Residence Hall Policies for further information about the alcohol policy in the residence halls, including conditions and policies regarding social hosting.
Examples of Violations of the University Alcohol Policy
- Purchasing alcohol by a person under the age of 21.
- Selling or providing alcohol to a person under the age of 21.
- Consumption of alcohol by a person under the age of 21.
- Possession of either full or empty alcohol containers on campus by a person under the age of 21.
- Consumption of alcohol on campus outside of the guidelines identified in the Alcohol Policy.
- Showing physical or mental impairment following or resulting from alcohol use.
- Possessing empty alcohol containers or other paraphernalia for decorative purposes.
- Participating in or being present during the occurrence of any drinking game.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol.
As stated in Section 4 of the Code of Student Conduct, “failure to comply with the reasonable directives of university officials or law enforcement officers during the performance of their duties and/or failure to identify oneself to these persons when requested to do so”, is considered unacceptable behavior for a university student.
A partial list of university alcohol policy violations and their subsequent sanctions is listed below. Sanctions are dependent upon a number of factors including, but not limited to: hearing officer discretion, the nature and severity of the incident, a student’s conduct history and a student’s cooperation throughout the conduct process.
Minor in Possession/Consumption of Alcohol or Residence Life Alcohol Policy Violations
- First Offense—Possible sanctions and institutional actions include, but are not limited to:
- Participation in an alcohol education course and/or activity, at the student’s expense and as determined by the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs (or designee);
- Authorship of a research/reflection essay;
- Notification of parents/guardians of dependent students and those under the minimum legal drinking age of 21 years; and/or
- Written warning up through suspension or expulsion from housing and/or the University of Saint Francis;
- Other sanctions as determined by the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs (or designee).
- Second Offense— Possible sanctions and institutional actions include, but are not limited to:
- Mandated substance abuse assessment by an approved agency and required compliance with the assessing counselor’s evaluation at the student’s expense;
- Observation of one or more sessions of the County Misdemeanor or Felony Drug Court as determined by the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs (or designee);
- Authorship of a research/reflection essay;
- Eligibility and/or activity restrictions;
- Notification of parents/guardians of dependent students and those under the minimum legal drinking age of 21 years; and/or
- Written warning up through suspension or expulsion from housing and/or the University of Saint Francis;
- Other sanctions as determined by the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs (or designee).
- Third and Subsequent Offenses— Possible sanctions and institutional actions may include, but are not limited to:
- Suspension or expulsion from university housing and/or the University of Saint Francis;
- Notification of parents/guardians of dependent students or those under the minimum legal drinking age of 21 years; and/or
- Other sanctions as determined by the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs (or designee).
Purchasing, Selling or Providing Alcohol to Minors
- First Offense— Possible sanctions and institutional actions include, but are not limited to:
- Participation in an alcohol education course and/or activity at the student’s expense and as determined by the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs (or designee);
- Mandated substance abuse assessment by an approved agency and required compliance with the assessing counselor’s evaluation;
- Observation of one or more sessions of the County Misdemeanor or Felony Drug Court as determined by the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs (or designee);
- Authorship of a research/reflection essay;
- Notification of parents/guardians of dependent students or those under the minimum legal drinking age of 21 years;
- Eligibility and/or activity restrictions;
- Written warning up through suspension or expulsion from housing and/or the University of Saint Francis;
- Community service hours to be performed at a specific location as determined by the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs (or designee); and/or
- Other sanctions as determined by the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs (or designee).
- Second and Subsequent Offenses— Possible sanctions and institutional actions include, but are not limited to:
- Suspension or expulsion from the University of Saint Francis;
- Notification of law enforcement authorities;
- Notification of parents/guardians of dependent students or those under the minimum legal drinking age of 21 years; and/or
- Other sanctions as determined by the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs (or designee).
Driving Under the Influence/Driving While Intoxicated
University of Saint Francis is concerned about students who violate state and local laws regarding consumption of alcohol and the operation of motor vehicles. In accordance with state law, the university abides by the legal definition of intoxicated as “not having the normal use of mental or physical faculties by reason of introduction of alcohol, a controlled substance, a drug, a dangerous drug, a combination of two or more of those substances, or any other substance into the body” or 0.08 Breath or Blood Alcohol Concentration. In addition, students under the legal minimum drinking age of 21 years who are found to have any detectable amount of alcohol in their systems will be considered driving under the influence of alcohol and subject to penalties under that offense.
- First Offense— Possible sanctions and institutional actions include, but are not limited to:
- Loss of driving and/or parking privileges on campus for a specified period of time;
- Participation in an alcohol education course and/or activity, at the student’s expense and as determined by the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs (or designee);
- Observation of one or more sessions of the County Misdemeanor or Felony Drug Court as determined by the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs (or designee);
- Community services hours to be performed at a specific location as determined by the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs (or designee);
- Authorship of a research/reflection essay;
- Notification of parents/guardians of dependent students or those under the minimum legal drinking age of 21 years;
- Eligibility and/or activity restrictions; and/or
- Written warning up through suspension or expulsion the University of Saint Francis;
- Other sanctions as determined by the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs (or designee).
- Second and Subsequent Offenses— Possible sanctions and institutional actions include, but are not limited to:
- Suspension or expulsion from the university;
- Notification of law enforcement authorities;
- Notification of parents/guardians of dependent students and those under the minimum legal drinking age of 21 years; and/or
- Other sanctions as determined by the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs (or designee).