Alcohol Policy

Statement of Purpose 

Community Standards:  

The first three community standards establish the basis for Alcohol Policy violations.

1)     Compliance with Governing Law and College Policies
Students are expected to comply with governing law and College policies. (See Appendices A and C: Procedures Pertaining to the Use of Alcohol at Student Events and Applicable Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Town of Wellesley Liquor Laws) Examples of behaviors that violate this Community Standard include, but are not limited to:

• A person under 21 in Massachusetts attempting to purchase or purchasing, possessing, or otherwise having control of alcohol beverages, or making arrangements with any person to purchase or procure alcohol beverages. 
• A person selling, delivering, furnishing, or otherwise providing alcohol to person(s) under the age of 21.
• A person operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol.
• Non-compliance with the requirements of the Student Events Policy.

2)     Respect for this Community, through the Minimization of the Impact of Drinking Upon Others
Students are entrusted with the responsibility of creating a respectful environment and of reducing the likelihood of negative outcomes related to alcohol.  Examples of behaviors that violate this Community Standard include, but are not limited to:

• A person possessing an open container of alcoholic beverage in public/common areas or on the grounds of the College, except at registered events. (See Procedures Pertaining to the Use of Alcohol at Student Events, Appendix A.) Common areas include:
  • Any area within a residence hall other than a resident’s room.
  • Any outdoor area.
  • Any other College building or facility.
• A person engaging in hazardous or disruptive conduct, which may include, but is not limited to, any of the following acts:
  • Engaging in drinking games or other potentially dangerous or illegal drinking behaviors, or encouraging others to do so.
  • Damaging or destroying College property or another person’s property.
  • Engaging in physically or verbally abusive behavior.

3)     Care for One’s Own Health and Well-being

Self-care requires informed decision-making and safe practices regarding the use of alcohol. An example of behavior that violates this Community Standard includes, but is not limited to:

• A person being dangerously intoxicated, the signs of which may include, but are not limited to, a diminished ability to walk or stand, vomiting, or loss of consciousness.

The fourth community standard waives what would otherwise be an Alcohol Policy violation. 

4)     The Seeking of Assistance for Self or Others

Students are strongly encouraged to call Campus Police when dangerous intoxication requires prompt medical attention.

Responsible Action/ Good Samaritan Clause: A student seeking medical treatment or assisting another person in obtaining medical treatment for an alcohol or other drug-related overdose will not be charged with an Alcohol or Drug Policy violation for using alcohol or drugs or for providing alcohol or drugs to the person they have assisted.

Parental Notification

When students engage in high-risk behavior(s), the Associate Director of Residential & Campus Life may notify a student’s parent(s) or guardian(s). Students are expected to participate in the notification process. A student can petition for a waiver of parental notification by submitting a written request to the Associate Director of Residential & Campus Life, who will review the request in consultation with the Director of Counseling Services or her designee. The student may be required to meet with the reviewers.

Follow Up and Sanctions

All students charged with a policy violation will be required to participate in a Health Education session, to meet with the Residential Life Professional Staff in charge of their residence hall, and to meet with the Associate Director of Residential & Campus Life.

• Restorative action, which may include restitution for damages, community service, or an educational assignment.
• Residential Probation, the duration of which will be determined on a case by case basis. During this period of time, any further violation of a College policy will jeopardize the student’s housing privileges.
• Modification, suspension or loss of College privileges.
• Suspension, dismissal or expulsion from the College.

Appeals

Sanctions may be appealed to the Honor Code Hearing Review Panel on the following grounds: discovery of significant factual material not previously available or significant procedural error. To file an appeal, a student must submit to the Dean of Students a written statement enumerating the grounds, along with any additional information.  The deadline for filing an appeal will be ten business days after notification of the sanction. The Dean of Students will review the written appeal to determine if it meets the threshold requirement of presenting facts which raise a genuine issue pertaining to the discovery of significant factual material or significant procedural error.  If the Dean of Students determines that this threshold requirement is met, the written appeal will be forwarded to the Hearing Review Panel. Upon consideration, the Hearing Review Panel may deny the appeal, reduce the sanction, dismiss the case, or remand the case for a full rehearing by a new panel.

Records & Documentation

Records maintained by the Associate Director of Residential & Campus Life for the Office of the Dean of Students will be retained for all Alcohol Policy violations. Alcohol Policy violations and Honor Code violations that include an Alcohol Policy violation will be disclosed according to the guidelines set forth in the Honor Code Procedures.  See http://www.wellesley.edu/studentlife/aboutus/honor/procedures

Resources 

The College strongly encourages students to use the resources and supports available for addressing alcohol related concerns. Students seeking assistance through Health or Counseling Services will receive confidential services in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. College resources include:

Anonymous on-line screening for alcohol use:             http://www.wellesley.edu/counseling/selfhelp/self/onlinescreening
Alcohol education at Wellesley College:                          http://www.wellesley.edu/healthservice/healthed/students/alcohol_education  

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

Appendices

Appendix A: Wellesley College Procedures Governing the Use of Alcohol at Student Events
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