Alcohol Policy

Philosophy:

The concept of responsible drinking by those of legal drinking age (21 years old) is the core of the CUA alcohol policy and educational effort. As a philosophy it stands as a non-judgmental, non-moralistic attitude toward the use of alcoholic beverages. It implies a confrontation with, not a condemnation of, an individual’s behaviors and habits. It is understood that an alcohol policy by itself is not sufficient. A proactive alcohol education program must be implemented if the university is to reach its goal of responsible drinking for those of legal drinking age. In recognizing that the abuse of alcohol is widespread in our society and that alcohol is a potent, potentially dangerous drug, CUA strives for the prevention of alcohol abuse through teaching responsible use. This in mind, the following guidelines and rationale are provided as a basis for the university’s policy.

 

Assumptions:

The use of alcoholic beverages on campus by students not of legal drinking age is unacceptable. The use of alcoholic beverages on campus by students of legal drinking age is a privilege granted by the university. Abuse of alcohol by any university community member, on or off campus, is of great concern and all efforts will be made to appropriately address this behavior. The privilege of alcohol use by those individuals 21years of age or older necessitates the adherence to the laws and guidelines of the District of Columbia and to university policies on alcohol consumption.  Guidelines and laws that monitor the use of alcohol are necessary in order to protect the rights of individuals and the community. Alcohol should not, in any case, be or become the basis for social interaction. The following assumptions serve as a framework for the alcohol policy guidelines of The Catholic University of America:    

1.	Laws of the District of Columbia govern the possession, consumption, serving and/or selling of    alcoholic beverages on campus. It is understood that the Alcohol Beverage Control regulations  and those of the university will be observed when permission to use alcoholic beverages on campus is granted. Abuse of the privilege granted by the university could result in its revocation.
2.	Within the limitations of the law, the decision to drink or not to drink any type of alcoholic beverage is the responsibility of the individual.
3.	Those who make the decision to drink are accountable for their behavior while under the influence of alcohol.
4.	Individuals have the right to expect that a choice not to drink will be respected without subtle or overt pressure.
5.	Whenever alcohol use contributes to a person’s hurting oneself or others or when its use infringes on the rights of others in the university community, it becomes alcohol abuse.
6.	The university and members of the university community have the right to expect that neither personal nor public property will be damaged by drunken behavior.
	Further, they have the right to expect that if such damage occurs, the person responsible will be apprehended and held financially accountable for the damage,  regardless of intoxication.

  

 

Individual Consumption:

Alcoholic beverages may not be consumed in designated campus public areas. Such areas include:

1.	Outside all university buildings except as approved by UCSPE and, if the area is adjacent to residence halls, the Director of Housing and Residential Services (HRS);
2.	Inside all university buildings except as approved by UCSPE and, if the area is within the residence halls, the Director of HRS. Indoor public areas include residence hall lobbies, stairwells, halls, bathrooms, laundry rooms, kitchens and lounges;
3.	Parking areas, including curbside parking on streets and alleys adjacent to or on campus property, whether in or out of vehicles.

                                       

Criteria:

Criteria are necessary in order to assure that the social situation is conducive to responsible drinking. The social situation can either help or hinder responsible decisions about alcohol. The controls used must reflect a commitment to the goal of teaching responsible use of alcohol. This is accomplished by allowing the individuals involved to be active in a decision-making process concerning alcohol use in various situations. The following is a list of criteria for all registered social events in which alcohol is used in or around university facilities or at university-sponsored events; these criteria are in force for all offices, departments or organizations serving alcohol   at a program with students present:

1.	All student groups (undergraduate, graduate and law) must receive approval from UCSPE through the normal procedures for any event where alcoholic beverages are to be served. Organizations registered through the Columbus School of Law  must receive permission from this school’s Office of Student Life if the event is held in the law school’s facility.
2.	Permission to serve or use alcoholic beverages at university functions where students are present is governed as follows:    a. A registered group of graduate students at an event held exclusively for graduate students may serve alcoholic beverages upon consultation with the  UCSPE. If the event is in a residence hall, the group must also seek  permission from the Director of HRS.  b. Ordinarily, service of alcoholic beverages at social events where undergraduate students will be present is prohibited. Exceptions will be  considered by UCSPE for functions sponsored by and for the senior class exclusively, provided the stipulations of No. 6, below, are carefully observed.  If the event is in a residence hall, the group must also seek permission from the Director of HRS.  c.  Upon consultation with UCSPE, academic programs sponsored by academic departments may include alcoholic refreshments even when underage persons are present. The sponsoring department assumes responsibility for monitoring the legal drinking age of prospective alcohol consumers.
3.	Consumption of alcoholic beverages is restricted to the approved, designated area of the event. “All you can drink,” “bring your own bottle” or “open bar” activities are not permitted. “Self-service” events are not permitted except as noted in No. 5 below. All activities that have the availability of alcoholic beverages are limited to four hours and all services will end at 1 a.m., unless special permission is granted in advance by UCSPE.
4.	Amounts of alcoholic beverages at registered events are not to exceed either: one-half keg of beer or eight cases of beer or 24 quarts of 12 percent wine per 40 people of legal drinking age. Exceptions for the use of liquor, not exceeding 80 proof, may be granted by UCSPE upon evaluation of a written proposal. The above amounts of alcohol are based upon a four-hour period and must be adjusted based upon the actual number of people of legal drinking age and the actual length of the event. The maximum amount of beer to be served at any program is 12 half-kegs for outdoor events.
5.	Kegs are permitted only in approved areas. No kegs are permitted in the residence halls at any time. Any event where two half-kegs or their equivalents are served requires a server and a license from the Alcohol Beverage Control Board or any other appropriate jurisdiction where the event is held. “Self Service” is not permitted at these events.
6.	Whenever the permission to serve alcoholic beverages is granted, a stipulation follows that an adequate amount of food and equally attractive and accessible nonalcoholic beverages be provided for the duration of the event as approved by the UCSPE and, if the event is in a residence hall, the director of HRS.
7.	The server must recognize a responsibility for the health, safety and pleasure of both the drinker and the nondrinker by not allowing intoxicated persons or persons under the legal drinking age to be served. The sponsoring group or individual is responsible for the conduct of all in attendance at the event, during and immediately following the event. Persons responsible for checking IDs for proof of age must be 21 years of age.
8.	The sponsoring group must ensure that no person is served or sold any beer, wine (or hard liquor upon approval) unless he or she is of legal age for consumption as stipulated by the laws of the District of Columbia or the jurisdiction in which the function is being held. Special care must be taken to ensure that another person does not serve individuals who have been refused service due to intoxication or failure to provide evidence of legal drinking age in attendance. All approved events shall post a sign near the service area that outlines the legal drinking age.
9.	The service of alcohol at an event may not be expressly mentioned on advertisements of said event.
10.	The sponsoring group must ensure that an approved member of the CUA faculty or staff, or if the event is in a residence hall an approved HRS staff member, is present for the duration of the event and knows that his or her responsibilities include:  a.  Providing assistance to the officers of the sponsoring organization if a problem occurs;  b.   If vandalism occurs, identifying those responsible, if possible;  c. Reminding, if necessary, the sponsoring organization or individual that the policies of the university and the laws of the District of Columbia (or the local jurisdiction) must be upheld; and,  d. Performing as the university spokesperson at the event.
11.	The sponsoring group is responsible for any damages incurred resulting from the event. If the group does not clean the area or fails to restore the area to its original condition, the group will be billed for the clean up. The group also may lose future scheduling privileges.
12.	Events that involve the use of alcoholic beverages cannot be held on days that immediately precede reading days and after the last day of classes. Exceptions include Senior Week and other commencement-related activities in the spring or as approved by UCSPE.

      

Enforcement of Policy:

The primary enforcement agent for activities in all public areas will be the Department ofPublic Safety. The primary enforcement agent for specific guidelines relating to social events will be UCSPE. The primary enforcement agent for the specific guidelines that relate to residence halls is the Office of Housing and Residential Services.

 

Although the primary enforcement of this policy rests with specific offices within the university, it should be recognized that all persons within the university are a part of the university community. Members of the community are to act responsibly toward one another and this policy. Individual members of the university community may contact the appropriate enforcement agent, as noted above regarding policy violations.

 

It should be understood that this policy does not preclude District of Columbia officials from enforcing more stringent or restrictive laws and regulations.

 

Sanctions:

Any issue or controversy arising from enforcement of this policy may initially or ultimately be resolved through the university’s student judicial system. If not initially submitted to the judicial system, it may be submitted to the agency or department concerned for resolution.

 

Publication:

This policy shall be printed in the Student Handbook on the Web, Student Organizations Manual, Resident Assistant Manual, and discussed at the fall semester student organization orientation workshop. Policies governing the use of alcoholic beverages in the residence halls are published in this Handbook.

 

Area Jurisdictions:

District of Columbia Alcohol Penalties, District of Columbia Drug Penalties,

Maryland Alcohol Penalties, Maryland Drug Penalties,

Virginia Alcohol Penalties, Virginia Drug Penalties

 

Approved by the Vice President for Student Life, June 1, 1989;
revised June 16, 1992;
revised May 28, 1998;
revised March 21, 2000.

 

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