Student Handbook

Alcohol Policy

Introduction

Pacific University recognizes state law and encourages compliance with it. Furthermore, the University's policy governing student behavior echoes the legal requirements and holds students accountable for their decisions regarding alcohol.

Within the limits of the law, the University recognizes the right of choice, insists on responsible drinking for those who choose to drink and respects the rights of those who choose not to drink. When drinking, individuals will be expected to conduct themselves maturely and responsibly, always respecting the rights of others. Because of our concern for the rights of individual students and the personal growth of each, the University will intervene when inappropriate behavior is demonstrated.

Because of the negative effect on academic performance, health, personal relationships and safety, the University is strongly against alcohol abuse. The University provides alcohol education programs, on-campus counseling services, and referral to off-campus counseling and treatment programs. The University may require evaluation and/or treatment for a student as a condition of enrollment. Seeking confidential assistance from or being referred to these services will not, by itself, result in disciplinary action.

Students seeking assistance for themselves or for others may contact:

On Campus:

Student Counseling Center: 503.352.2191

Student Health Center: 503.352.2269

Off Campus :

Tuality Chemical Dependency Services: 503.357.0774

Adult Children of Alcoholics : 503.225.9040

Alateen: 503.292.1333

Alcoholics Anonymous: 503.223.8569

Narcotics Anonymous: 503.233.223

The objectives of our Alcohol Policy are:

  1. To educate students regarding the effects of use, misuse, and abuse of alcohol in order to encourage responsible decision-making.
  2. To increase student understanding, acceptance of, and participation in activities which do not include the use of alcohol.
  3. To make available professional staff with whom an individual or group can address concerns related to alcohol use, including counseling, staff training and educational programs.
  4. To maintain behavioral guidelines in accordance with state law for appropriate response to the use, misuse and abuse of alcohol.

Alcohol Education Programs

The University will make available to all community members alcohol education programs that 1) address the use and effects of alcohol, 2) make available information regarding campus and community resources that respond to alcohol-related problems and 3) offer guidelines and suggestions for responsible party and events planning. Alcohol education programs will be utilized in the following ways:

  1. When a student has violated the alcohol policies s/he will be required to attend an alcohol education program.
  2. Students who are experiencing academic, personal, or behavioral difficulties because of their use, misuse or abuse of alcohol may be referred to an alcohol education program or to alcohol treatment as a condition of their enrollment.
  3. Alcohol education will be available to any student organization or living group that wishes to sponsor a program.

Regulations Regarding Expected Behavior

  1. The use of alcohol is prohibited on the University campus except as described in #2 below or as authorized by designated University personnel.
  2. In the residence halls, legal age consumption of alcoholic beverages is permitted in student rooms only. Consumption of alcoholic beverages is not permitted in hallways, lounges, lobbies or other public areas except when a lounge or lobby has been approved for an event where alcohol will be served.
  3. Any person who chooses to drink alcoholic beverages is expected to do so responsibly. Behavior in violation of the alcohol policy will be addressed. These behaviors include but are not limited to:
    • Possession or consumption by anyone under 21 years of age
    • Excessive noise
    • Vandalism
    • Verbal, written, or physical harassment
    • Excessive messes (e.g.. litter, spills on carpets or furniture)
    • Sickness
    • Obvious intoxication (e.g.. staggering, passed out, inability to care for self)
    • Throwing garbage, liquids, or other materials out of windows
    • Irresponsible hosting of functions
  4. All members of the community share the responsibility for ensuring that the alcohol policy is followed, and share in the responsibility for the safety and welfare of their peers and guests. This responsibility includes, but is not limited to: understanding that you are responsible for the behavior of guests; preventing intoxicated persons from driving by whatever means necessary; providing safe transportation to and from off-campus events; securing the assistance of Campus Public Safety, the police, or University staff if necessary; and seeking alcohol education or professional advice if concerned about one's own, or another individual's misuse or abuse of alcohol.
  5. Kegs and beer bongs are not allowed on campus except when authorized by designated University personnel for an event where alcohol will be served. All persons are prohibited from possessing drug paraphernalia that is intended for use with controlled substances in campus housing. Drug paraphernalia includes but is not limited to pipes, water pipes, and bongs. The University may seize drug paraphernalia upon evidence that it has been used with illegal substances.

Authorization for an Event Where Alcohol Will be Served

Alcohol may be served at events when authorization has been given by appropriate University personnel. Student groups and organizations, resident students, faculty groups and all other University groups wishing to serve alcohol at an event will submit their requests for authorization to the Director of Student Activities. All off-campus groups wishing to sponsor an event where alcohol will be served will also obtain authorization from the Director of Student Activities. Decisions for authorization will be based upon written requests submitted at least one week prior to the event that demonstrate sufficient care will be taken to abide by University regulations and the following guidelines:

  1. The lawful sale of alcoholic beverages will be conducted solely by personnel from a licensed liquor establishment that can demonstrate the possession of appropriate bartender liability insurance coverage.
  2. Precautionary measures will be taken to ensure that alcoholic beverages are not accessible or served to persons under 21 years of age or to persons who appear intoxicated.
  3. Consumption of alcoholic beverages is permitted only within an established and approved area designated for the event.
  4. Attractive non-alcoholic beverages must be available at the same place as all alcoholic beverages and featured as prominently as the alcoholic beverage.
  5. A reasonable portion of the event's budget shall be assigned to the purchase of food items.
  6. No event shall include any form of "drinking contest".
  7. Advertisements shall not feature alcohol as an inducement to participate in a campus event. No reference shall be made to the amount of alcoholic beverages that will be available. The availability of non-alcoholic beverages should be advertised.
  8. University safety personnel shall be present at all times during the event.
  9. University guidelines for responsible party and events planning shall be followed.

All violations shall be governed by the following:

Responses to Inappropriate Behavior of Individuals

LEVEL I

This represents a first violation of the alcohol policy where the student is cooperative with staff and aggravating circumstances are not present. Violations of this type may result in 10 hours of community service, restitution for any damages, and referral to an alcohol education program.

LEVEL 2

This represents a repeat violation or a first violation where aggravating circumstances are present or the student involved is uncooperative, or is harassing or verbally abusive to staff or other students. Students with these kinds of violations will be assigned 20 hours of community service, may be fined $25-$100, and will be referred to an alcohol education program. Restitution will be required for any damages associated with the violation. Non-resident students who are found to be responsible for these kinds of violations may be prohibited from the residence halls.

LEVEL 3

This represents repeated violations of the alcohol policy and/or other residence hall policies while visibly under the influence of alcohol, or an initial violation of the alcohol policy where physical harassment, violence, or a pattern of other serious violations has occurred. Students with these kinds of violations will be assigned 40 hours of community service, may be fined $100-200, and may be referred for an alcohol assessment. Restitution will be required for any damages associated with the violation. Resident students found responsible for these types of violations may be suspended from the residence halls.

LEVEL 4

This represents any violation of the alcohol policy after a student has been found responsible for a Level 3 violation. Students found to be responsible for this type of violation may be suspended or expelled from the University.

In all cases where individual fines are assessed, the money will be used for alcohol education programming, speakers and resources.

Responses to Inappropriate Behavior of Groups

Groups who sponsor events where alcohol will be served are responsible for ensuring that the Pacific University alcohol policy regarding behavior and authorization is adhered to by both hosts and participants. When the policy is violated by excessive noise or alcohol being transported from the designated event area, the group may receive a verbal request to remedy the situation. After the group is warned any violations of the alcohol policy will be responded to according to the following levels.

LEVEL 1

This represents a first violation of the alcohol policy where the group is cooperative with University staff and aggravating circumstances are not present. Violations of this type may result in a fine of $100, required attendance at an alcohol education program by the officers or leader of the group, and a loss of the privilege to sponsor events where alcohol will be served for one to six months. Restitution will be required for any damages. Community service may also be required.

LEVEL 2

This represents a repeat violation or a violation at which aggravating circumstances are present or the group is uncooperative, or has been harassing or verbally abusive to staff or other students. Groups with these kinds of violations may be fined $100-$400, be referred as a group to an alcohol education program, and may lose the privilege to utilize University facilities for any event for six (6) months. Restitution will be required for any damages associated with the violation. Community service may also be required.

LEVEL 3

This represents repeated violations of the alcohol policy or an initial violation where physical harassment or violence has occurred. Groups with these kinds of violations may be fined $400-$800 and have their charters and constitutions revoked for one academic year. Restitution will be required for any damages associated with the violation. The charter and constitution may be reinstated by a meeting between PUCC/PPC officers, the Dean of Students and other appropriate University administrators, and officers or leaders of the group where plans for future behavior are discussed and agreed upon.

If a group fails to meet the conditions included in their level of violation (e.g. failure to pay a fine, failure to attend an alcohol education program), the conditions included in the next violation level will be assessed. In all cases where group fines are assessed, the money will be used for alcohol education programming, speakers and resources.

State Law/Legal Sanctions

The University community is reminded that the alcoholic beverage laws of the State of Oregon specify the following: "No person under the age of 21 years shall attempt to purchase or acquire alcoholic liquor. Except when such minor is in a private residence accompanied by the parent or guardian of the minor and with such parent's or guardian's consent, no person under the age of 21 years shall have personal possession of alcoholic liquor." (ORS 471.430)"No person shall sell, give or otherwise make available any alcoholic liquor to any person who is visibly intoxicated. No one other than the person's parent or guardian shall sell, give or otherwise make available any alcoholic liquor to a person under the age of 21 years." (ORS 471.410)

Students should be aware of the legal sanctions relating to alcohol in the state of Oregon. Driving under the influence of intoxicants (DUII) is a Class A misdemeanor, with a maximum fine of $5,000. Consequences for having an open container in a car, being a minor in possession, or furnishing alcohol to a minor range from $350 to $2,500 in fines, a jail sentence, or both. Students are further advised that in Oregon, it is against the law to serve or make available alcohol to a visibly intoxicated individual. You could be held liable for damages under social host liability (ORS.471.412).