Wellesley College Alcohol Policy

Statement of Purpose

Wellesley College is committed to providing a healthy learning environment that facilitates the highest level of academic achievement and fosters the full development of all its students. The campus community strives to support and promote safe and legal behavioral norms, standards, and practices regarding the use of alcohol and drugs.

A cornerstone of Wellesley's community life is respect for individual integrity. Personal honor, accountability, and responsibility, coupled with shared responsibility as community members to create and sustain a safe and vibrant environment, serve as the overarching principles that shape this policy.

The purpose of the policy is to clarify the individual and shared responsibilities of community members, to define appropriate behaviors to help community members understand the college's responsibilities, to describe the college's response to hazardous or disruptive behavior, and to inform community members about the many resources available for addressing alcohol-related concerns and problems.

In accordance with state and federal laws, Wellesley College has established these priorities:

• to stress moderation, safety, and individual accountability for those students age 21 or over who choose to drink
• to provide an atmosphere free from coercion for those students who choose not to drink
• to discourage and prohibit underage drinking
• to prevent problem behavior, heavy episodic drinking, and alcohol abuse
• to provide prevention and intervention information and education for all students, faculty, and staff
• to provide students with information about confidential on- and off-campus resources to seek help addressing issues related to alcohol and drug use and abuse

Individual Responsibility

Wellesley College emphasizes the responsibility of each community member to be law-abiding, knowledgeable, and thoughtful about any decisions regarding alcohol consumption.

• The college provides information about alcohol use and abuse and urges all community members to become informed about the potentially harmful or negative effects of alcohol.
• Individuals with concerns about their own use or another person's use of alcohol and/or other drugs are encouraged to seek confidential on or off campus.
• The college emphasizes that anyone who is seriously intoxicated should seek medical attention. In cases of intoxication and/or alcohol poisoning, individuals are strongly encouraged to call for medical assistance for themselves or for a friend/acquaintance who is dangerously intoxicated. In order to encourage those who may be in danger from alcohol poisoning or alcohol-related injury to get proper assistance, no student seeking medical treatment for her alcohol or other drug-related overdose, or assisting another student in obtaining such medical treatment, will be subject to college discipline for the sole violation of using alcohol or drugs or of providing alcohol or drugs to the student they have assisted in obtaining treatment. All students treated for alcohol poisoning will be encouraged to meet with either the health educator or a member of the Counseling Center.
• In accordance with state and federal laws, the college will respect and protect the privacy of students who voluntarily seek assistance.

Regulations

Students are expected to be responsible for their actions; comply with federal, state, and local laws; and respect the rights of all members of the campus community.

Violations of the Wellesley College Alcohol Policy or of any Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Town of Wellesley Liquor Laws (see Appendix C) are subject to disciplinary action. Acts in violation of the Wellesley College Alcohol Policy that occur on campus will be subject to disciplinary action. Additionally, acts in violation of the Wellesley College Alcohol Policy that occur off campus may be subject to disciplinary action.

Student events or parties that involve alcohol must comply with the Wellesley College Procedures Governing the Use of Alcohol at Student Events (see Appendix A).

Violations of the Wellesley College Alcohol Policy include, but are not limited to, the acts listed below:

• A person under 21 years of age in the United States may not purchase or attempt to purchase alcoholic beverages.
• A person under 21 years of age in the United States may not make arrangements with any person to purchase or in any way procure alcoholic beverages.
• A person may not misrepresent her age, or in any way alter, deface, or falsify her identification offered as proof of age, with the intent of procuring alcoholic beverages, whether for her own use or the use of any other person. A person may not induce another person under age 21 to make a false statement as to her age in order to procure the sale or delivery of such beverages.
• A person may not sell, deliver, furnish, or otherwise provide alcoholic beverages to any person less than 21 years of age.
• Hazing, drinking games, or other potentially dangerous drinking behaviors are prohibited. Hazardous or disruptive conduct related to the use of alcoholic beverages is prohibited.
• No person shall be coerced, even subtly, to drink or abuse alcohol.
• Alcohol may not be served to intoxicated persons.
• Driving under the influence of alcohol is prohibited and can result in criminal penalties.
• Open containers of alcoholic beverages in public/common areas or on the grounds of the college are not permitted except at registered events.

Alcohol Policy Violations

Alcohol Violation Category I: Underage Alcohol Use or Possession

It shall be a Category I violation of the Wellesley College Alcohol Policy for a person under 21 years of age to purchase, possess, or otherwise have control of alcoholic beverages, or for any student to violate the general provisions of the Wellesley College Alcohol Policy.

Alcohol Violation Category II: Dangerous Intoxication or Hazardous or Disruptive Conduct to Self or Others

It shall be a Category II violation of the Wellesley College Alcohol Policy to be dangerously intoxicated, the signs of which would include, but not be limited to, a diminished ability to walk or stand, vomiting, or passing out.

It also shall be a Category II violation of the Wellesley College Alcohol Policy to engage in hazardous or disruptive conduct, including, but not limited to, any of the following acts:

• blocking or lying across or otherwise preventing or interfering with access to or passage across a thoroughfare
• grabbing, shoving, pushing, or fighting or challenging others to fight
• exhibiting impaired or disorderly conduct
• hazing or coercing others to drink or to abuse alcohol

Alcohol Violation Category III: Distribution

It shall be a Category III violation of the Wellesley College Alcohol Policy to sell, deliver, furnish, or otherwise provide alcohol to persons under the age of 21. It shall also be a Category III violation of the Wellesley College Alcohol Policy to distribute alcohol in common spaces without valid event registration. (See the Wellesley College Procedures Governing the Use of Alcohol at Student Events, Appendix A.) Failure to follow the guidelines concerning alcohol at student events as noted in Appendix A will be considered a violation of the Alcohol Policy.

Sanctions

The following sanctions serve as guidelines for the Wellesley College Alcohol and Drug Hearing Board when students are found to be in violation of the alcohol policy. The Alcohol and Drug Hearing Board, dean, and associate dean of students have the right to modify or adjust sanctions as deemed appropriate.

Fulfilling sanctions takes precedence over all non-academic activity. Failure to comply with a sanction may result in an additional sanction.

In any situation in which alcohol impairment is deemed an aggravating factor, the individual may be charged with separate Honor Code and Alcohol Policy violations.

Alcohol Violation Category I Sanctions

First offense: violator will be required to attend one or more sessions on alcohol education conducted by the health educator within 30 days of the sanction notification. Non-compliance with this sanction will result in the student being place on residential probation until that meeting takes place.

Second offense: violator will be required to attend one or more sessions on alcohol education conducted by the health educator within 30 days of the sanction notification. She will be placed on residential probation for a period of six months. For a student placed on residential probation, subsequent violation of college policy will result in a further sanction, which may include the loss of privilege to live in college housing.

A student's parents or guardian will be notified when a student is placed on residential probation for an alcohol violation. Parental contact will normally be in the form of a letter, though a student may request a three-way phone conversation (administrator, student, and parent).

Third offense: sanction will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the Alcohol and Drug Hearing Board.

Alcohol Violation Category II Sanctions

First offense: violator will be required to attend one or more sessions on alcohol education conducted by the health educator within 30 days of the sanction notification and will be placed on residential probation for one calendar year. For a student placed on residential probation, subsequent violation of college policy will result in a further sanction, which may include the loss of privilege to live in college housing.

A student's parents or guardian will be notified when a student is placed on residential probation for an alcohol or drug violation. Parental contact will normally be in the form of a letter, though a student may request a three-way phone conversation (administrator, student, and parent).

Subsequent violations will be handled on a case-by-case basis by the Alcohol and Drug Hearing Board.

Alcohol Violation Category III Sanctions

First offense: violator will be placed on residential probation for a period of up to one calendar year from the date of the sanction, will be required to meet with the associate dean of students (or her designee), and will be required attend a training on intervention procedures by a specified date.

Subsequent violations will be handled on a case-by-case basis by the Alcohol and Drug Hearing Board.

Community Collaboration and Campus Resources

The college strongly encourages members of the community to utilize the wide range of campus resources and supports available for addressing alcohol/drug related problems. Students seeking assistance through Health Services, Counseling Services, and the Health educator, will receive confidential services, in accordance with state laws and best practices.

Wellesley College support services include:

• Health Services - x2810 (nurse on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week according to the academic calendar)
• Campus Police - x5555 emergency, non-emergency x2121 (available for assistance 24 hours a day, 365 days a year)
• Counseling Services - x2839 (confidential counseling during the academic year)
• Health Education Services - x2821 (related health education and information)
• Professional or student members of the Residential and Campus Life staff, including resident directors, house presidents, resident advisors, and the coordinator of student activities
• Student organizations providing related education and support:
  • Peer Advocates
  • OMHA (Association for Mental Health Awareness)
  • Wellesley Women Advocates
  • Sexual Health Educators
  • Health Reps
  • Peer Resource Advisors

In addition, there are many off-campus resources available to students including Al-Anon/Alateen and Alcoholics Anonymous.

Appendices

Appendix A: Wellesley College Procedures Governing the Use of Alcohol at Student Events (updates pending)
Appendix B: Drug-Free Schools and Campuses Act Codified as Part 86 of EDGAR (34 CFR Part 86)
Appendix C: Applicable Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Town of Wellesley Liquor Laws
Appendix D: Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 (41 U. S. C. Chapter 10)
Appendix E: Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 94C - Controlled Substances Act

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