University Alcohol Policy
The University has established standards of student conduct related to its educational mission. Penn State is dedicated to maintaining a scholarly community that promotes a shared set of values. These values include having concern for ones self, for others and the need for conditions that support a campus climate where students can work, grow and succeed. Grounded in this value is the act of establishing and maintaining a healthy community. To this end, the University has the responsibility to respect and promote the physical and emotional wellness of students.
Illegal alcohol use or alcohol abuse on or off the premises of the University negatively impacts the University community and places students at personal and academic risk. While responding to misconduct, the University strives to provide a healthy and safe experience for students. University rules and procedures regarding student alcohol violations are specifically established to provide:
- Therapeutic or medical support interventions for students
- Community expectations for student conduct behaviors
- An orderly and safe environment for community members
Off-Campus Alcohol Consumption
When alcohol related activity occurs off the premises of the University, the Office of Student Conduct may consider initiating disciplinary action under the Off-Campus Misconduct Policy. The University reserves the right to impose sanctions for the use, possession, service, or consumption of alcoholic beverages off the premises of the University campus when such behavior affects a Substantial University Interest. In this regard, a violation of local or state law or behavior including, but not limited to the following, may be considered violations of the Student Code of Conduct:
- Public Drunkenness: When a student is unconscious, experiences a loss of control, and/or needs medical attention
- Furnishing Alcohol to Minors: When a student purchases or serves alcohol to those under the age of 21
- Repeat Offenders: When a student is involved in repeat misconduct of a similar nature and/or other types of alcohol related offenses
Alcoholic beverages shall not be served to minors (individuals under the age of twenty-one) at University-sponsored functions. A "University-sponsored function" shall be any event at any location which is sponsored by an officer, employee, or agent of the University in his or her capacity as a representative of the University. Functions organized by students or registered student organizations shall not be deemed to be sponsored by the University within the meaning of this policy statement.
Note: Although beverage alcohol is permitted in the area adjacent to the football stadium, kegs are prohibited.
On-Campus Alcohol Consumption
The use, possession, or distribution of beverages containing alcohol on University property shall comply with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and University policies and rules. Misconduct that may result in disciplinary action and penalties, which may include separation from the University, includes:
- The purchase, consumption, possession, or transportation, or the attempt to purchase, consume, possess, or transport any beverage containing alcohol by persons under twenty-one years of age, anywhere on the premises of the University, specifically including their rooms in University residential units;
- The possession or use of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in all Penn State on-campus undergraduate residence hall buildings, including Nittany Apartments and Eastview Terrace, regardless of the age of the individual;
- It is against residence hall policy for there to be any tailgating activities in the residential quad areas or residence hall parking lots where alcoholic beverages are being served on any football game/event weekend including all home football games, Football Eve, Fourth Fest, and the Spring Blue and White Weekend. Students tailgating with alcoholic beverages in these defined areas will be confronted and will likely be charged with “open containers in an unauthorized area” ;
- The selling, furnishing, or giving of any beverage containing alcohol to any person under twenty-one years of age;
- The purchase, consumption, possession, or transportation of beverages containing alcohol in open containers except:
- By individuals who are twenty-one years of age or older, at facilities licensed by the state.
- Adult graduate students and graduate-registered student organizations may serve beverages containing alcohol to adults in facilities owned by the University which are available for such use if, but only if, no monetary charge is made for admission to the function and the function is not open to the public. Adult graduate students and graduate-registered student organizations that serve alcoholic beverages in University facilities shall adopt procedures to prevent the service of alcoholic beverages to minors.
- By individuals who are twenty-one years of age or older on University-owned or controlled property when the sponsor has acquired permission under Administrative Policy AD-18.
- The purchase, service, use, or possession of beverages containing alcohol by undergraduate registered student organizations at any function that occurs on the premises of the University;
- The use of University student activity funds by undergraduate registered student organizations for the purchase of alcoholic beverages whether such beverages are to be possessed or consumed on or off University premises.
Responsible Action Protocol
In response to the University Park Undergraduate Association’s campaign for a medical amnesty policy, whereby students who seek medical assistance for peers suffering from alcohol poisoning or related problems would not be charged through the campus judicial system for their own alcohol violations, we have established a Responsible Action Protocol.
Under the protocol, students who act responsibly by notifying the appropriate authorities (e.g., calling 911, alerting a resident assistant, contacting police) typically will not face University judicial action for their own alcohol violations, unless they are responsible for other violations (e.g., vandalism, assault) as well. However, these students will be required to attend BASICS, but the fee will be waived..