1. Introduction
The University supports all federal, state and local laws including those relating to the use of alcoholic beverages. The University also endorses the ongoing development of educational materials that set forth and emphasize the problems related to alcohol abuse.
2. Legal Age
The legal age for possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages in Georgia is 21. The University expects this law to be strictly followed and it shall be a violation of this Code Section for a minor student to consume alcohol or for a student who is of legal age to provide alcohol to a minor.
3. Use of University Funds
No University funds or student activity fees may be used for the purchase of alcoholic beverages.
4. Alcoholic Beverages on University Property
The use, possession, consumption, distribution or sale of alcoholic beverages on any property owned or leased by the University is strictly prohibited. Exceptions may be made only by the president or his designee.
5. Alcoholic Beverages Served at Official Functions
No Alcohol may be served at on campus functions unless given express approval by the University President or his designee. Alcohol Request Forms may be obtained in room 362 of the Student Center. If a unit or subunit of the University or if a chartered student organization holds a function where alcohol is to be served, whether on or off campus, the following rules and regulations must be observed:
A. There will be no functions where alcoholic beverages are the main focal point of the event. Any advertising for the function will not include specific references to the fact that alcoholic beverages will be provided.
B. Any activity that contributes to alcohol overindulgence or abuse is strictly prohibited.
C. At a student function, before anyone receives and consumes alcoholic beverages, a driver’s license or other official identification that lists the age of that individual must be checked by a person designated by the student organization hosting the event to ensure that the individual is of legal drinking age. At all other functions, the sponsoring organization will take reasonable measures to ensure that all local and state laws regarding the consumption of alcohol are followed.
D. At any function where alcohol is served, nonalcoholic beverages must be continuously available in equal or greater quantity. Food must also be available.
E. At student functions, no alcoholic beverages can be paid for by selling them at the activity or by charging for them at the door (cash bar by an authorized caterer is permitted).
F. No visibly intoxicated person shall be served alcohol at any function.
G. If alcohol is to be served at a function of an organization, the administrative supervisor of the group hosting the function or the advisor to the function, if it is a student organization, must be notified in writing in advance of such event that alcohol will be served at the event. The administrative supervisor or advisor will be responsible for communicating the provisions of this policy to the organization prior to the event.
H. Alcohol may not be served for more than a total of 2 hours and, if a function lasts more than two hours, the serving of alcoholic beverages must stop at least 45 minutes before the scheduled end of the activity.
I. If alcohol is to be served at a function of any chartered student organization where more than 50 people will be in attendance, a uniformed police officer or security guard must be present at the event and may not consume alcoholic beverages during the event. If the function is held on campus, security must be arranged for through the University Police Department. However, should an off-campus function involve only members of one organization, then the presence of a police officer or a security guard will not be required.
J. Any organization that allows alcohol at its activities is strongly encouraged to provide alternative transportation to any individual in attendance who has overindulged in alcohol.
K. No common-source containers of alcohol (e.g., kegs, punch, etc.) may be used at any function unless there is a licensed bartender who is not a member of the sponsoring organization who will take sole responsibility for serving from these containers and controlling the dispensing of alcoholic beverages. If free or open access to these containers is allowed or if any apparently intoxicated person is served, it will be considered a violation of this policy and subject the organization and its members to the sanctions set forth below.
L. The Dean of Students may develop additional guidelines and explanations of this policy in order to assist students in understanding and complying with the policy. Furthermore, all provisions of the Student Code of Conduct and Policies that refer to alcoholic beverages are in full force and effect and are not affected by any of the provisions of this policy.
6. Enforcement
A. The adherence to these policies on alcohol and drugs shall be the individual and personal responsibility of each member of the student body, staff, faculty or administration of the University.
B. Direct responsibility and accountability for the enforcement of these policies are imposed upon students, members of the staff, faculty or administrators of the University who, in the course of their duties, participate in the arrangement, sponsorship, supervision or organization of institutionally sponsored events (whether taking place on property owned or leased by the University or any unit or subdivision thereof, or any organization requiring approval by the University or otherwise).
C. Direct responsibility and accountability for the enforcement of these policies are imposed upon the direct administrative supervisors or members of the staff or administrators of the University having duties described in paragraph B above to ensure strict compliance with these policies.
D. Direct responsibility and accountability are imposed upon faculty advisors to student organizations approved by the University, together with all elected or appointed officers thereof, to ensure strict compliance with these policies.
E. All chartered student organizations must implement a self-monitoring system to ensure compliance with this policy. The officers of each organization will certify, in writing to the Office of the Dean of Students that the organization is aware of and will comply with the provisions of this policy.
F. On occasion, faculty/staff advisors will be present to monitor student group functions where alcohol is being served.
G. Advisors, advisory boards, and student members of all student organizations must be familiar with the alcohol and drug policy and the sanctions noncompliance and are required to report to the Dean of Students any cases of alcohol abuse, drug use or illegal service of alcoholic beverages.
H. Every member of the Georgia State University community is encouraged to refer a student, staff member, administrator or faculty member with drug or alcohol problems to the Georgia State University Counseling Center or the University Office of Employee Assistance.
7. Sanctions for Violations of the Alcohol and the Illegal Substances Policies
Sanctions take effect immediately upon being imposed by the Dean of Students and remain in effect unless and until overturned on appeal
A. Any faculty, staff member, administrator or other employee who violates the policy on alcohol and drugs shall be referred to their direct supervisor for disciplinary action up to and including the possibility of dismissal and referral to the appropriate federal, state or local authorities for prosecution in the courts.
B. Any student who violates the policy on alcohol and drugs shall be subject to disciplinary action up to and including the possibility of dismissal from the institution and referral to the appropriate federal, state or local authorities for prosecution in the courts.
C. In addition to the foregoing sanctions, the following special sanctions may be imposed by the Dean of Students for violation of the alcohol and drug policy by students or student organizations in accordance with the protections and objectives set forth in the Student Code of Conduct and Policies:
1. Sanctions for groups or individuals:
a. Suspension, probation or expulsion from campus
b. restitution for any property damage that occur
c. violators required to go through an alcohol education program developed by the Health Educator.
d. violators’ preparation of an alcohol awareness program for a designated audience. The development and implementation of such program will be supervised by a staff person within the Office of the Dean of Students.
2. Sanctions for violations by groups:
a. social probation by the Dean of Students
b. assessment of financial penalties (these funds will be used for alcohol- and drug- awareness programs)
c. freezing of funds, if any are available
d. sanctions made by the government bodies of the organizations, e.g., intramural councils, honors councils, fraternity and sorority councils, professional organizations, if such exist
f. removal of officers from office
g. loss of University recognition and access to campus and support services
3. Any student leader who receives a stipend authorized by the Student Fee Committee and violates the University alcohol policy will be removed from his or her stipend-paid student position.
8. Appeals
The appeals process under the Alcohol Policy is the same as the General (Nonacademic)
Conduct Appeals Process, see Section II.B.
9. Alcohol and Drug Abuse Education
The Office of the Dean of Students will sponsor programming and work with student
organizations on the control of alcohol and drug abuse. Copies of this information will be
distributed to all student organizations. Further, the Counseling Center will develop or obtain
information regarding alcohol and drug abuse, and this information will be readily available to
all members of the University community.
