Social and Alcohol Policy

Philosophy
In 2009, led by a group of students, the College adopted the following statement:

As a community we embrace the vision of a healthy and balanced social environment, grounded in trust and open communication among faculty, staff, and students. Such an environment fosters personal and community growth and embodies a sense of responsibility and accountability to self and others. This vision depends upon each member’s commitment to achieve and maintain inclusiveness, consistency, continual education, and the growth of shared traditions. This is our duty to one another. 

Rhodes supports behavior and social interactions that are:

• Legal
• Responsible
• Healthy
• Reflective of our community values.

Responsible and Healthy Behavior

• There is a time and place for alcohol consumption that is consistent with certain college activities and times of day. Behavior should demonstrate respect for the campus, its visitors, and its community.
• Reasonable and safe consumption happens when drinking is done in moderation and not toward a goal of inebriation. When drinking is the focus of an activity or gathering, consumption is less likely to be reasonable and safe. Drinking during or before certain high-risk activities or in conjunction with health conditions or medications is dangerous to both the student and his or her surrounding community.
• Public intoxication is not a community value or activity endorsed by the social policy or alcohol policy of the College. Public intoxication is defined as a state of inebriation indicating impaired judgment, visible intoxication, or behavior that endangers or threatens the welfare of self and others. The public consumption and/or possession of alcohol in public areas, including on-campus buildings and outdoor venues is prohibited unless a college-sanctioned event.  Once approved, carrying alcohol from one on-campus venue to another is prohibited unless carried in a cup.  No bottles, cans, kegs or other containers are allowed to be carried from one on-campus venue to another. This includes, but is not limited to: academic buildings, the library, parking lots, outdoor quads and spaces, athletic fields, roadways, and administrative buildings.
• Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs is strictly prohibited both on and off campus.
• Public consumption and/or possession of alcohol in public areas, including on-campus buildings and outdoor venues is prohibited unless a college-sanctioned event.
• Good Samaritan Statement: The health and safety of students is a priority for the Rhodes community.  Because of this, the College has adopted a Good Samaritan Statement, and students are expected to assist fellow community members by utilizing this service. Students are to contact Campus Safety or Residence Life staff when they believe an impaired/intoxicated student needs assistance. In case of a medical emergency, students should call 911. When a student or organization calls for assistance, neither the student/organization, nor the impaired student will be subject to an alcohol violation, unless the student involved demonstrates a repeated lack of care for him/herself and the campus community. This policy does not protect students from violations of other college policies, such as threatening/causing physical harm, sexual assault, harassment, damage to property, hazing, etc. This policy likewise does not prevent action by local and state authorities. Staff members will record names of intoxicated students to allow for appropriate follow-up, which may result in timely completion of alcohol education programs, assessment, or treatment, depending upon the level of concern for the student’s health and safety.
• High-Risk drinking and associated paraphernalia (such as funnels), which encourage the abuse of alcohol, are strictly forbidden. 
• In order to promote safer alcohol consumption and individual responsibility, common containers and mass sources – including kegs and stockpiles of beer or other alcohol – are not permitted.
• Shared Responsibility Statement: Students who are found to be present in an environment when illegal, unhealthy, irresponsible, or unreflective of community values drinking is occurring may be held responsible for a “Shared Responsibility-Alcohol “violation. This violation will likely result in a warning.

Hosting Events and Parties
All events planned and hosted by Rhodes College departments and organizations must use the Events Management System to:

• Reserve the location (indoor, outdoor, and off-campus) 14 days prior to the event start date. If coordination with other departments listed below, arrangements are needed at least seven days in advance.
• Arrange catering through Bon Appetit and request any of the following: set-up from Physical Plant (chairs, tables, stage, etc.), AV equipment from the Barret Media Center, Campus Safety if cash is collected or security is needed, and publicity through Communications.
• In planning of events where alcohol is anticipated, the host will work with the VP for Finance and Business Affairs (faculty and staff) and Campus Safety to plan logistics and procedures related to compliance with the law, organizational rules and by-laws, and the well-being of guests.
  • No organization shall furnish alcoholic beverages to students on campus or at any College function.
  • Requests for exceptions to these procedures should be made to the Student Activities Coordinator or the Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life, and the Dean of Students for student groups
• Advertising for events must follow the Posting Signs Policy in the Student Handbook.
• Clean-up of events on campus must be completed by 8 a.m. the following morning unless an earlier time is requested in advance. 

Regulatory and Contractual Compliance

• Bon Appetit is Rhodes College’s approved contract vendor for food and beverages. To consume alcohol in the Lair and/or Lair Patio, it must be purchased through Bon Appetit.
• In compliance with the National Collegiate Athletic Association, possession and consumption of alcohol is prohibited at National Collegiate Athletic Association athletic events.
• In planning of events where alcohol is anticipated, the host will work with the VP for Finance and Business Affairs (faculty and staff) and Campus Safety to plan logistics and procedures related to compliance with the law, organizational rules and by-laws, and the well-being of guests. No organization shall furnish alcoholic beverages to students on campus or at any College function.
• Requests for exceptions to these procedures should be made to the Dean of Students for student groups or the VP for Finance and Business Affairs for other groups.

Mailroom

It is prohibited for any student, regardless of age, to have alcohol shipped to the mailroom at Rhodes College. The mailroom will inform the Office of Community Standards if/when shipments of alcohol are received. This is a violation of the Social and Alcohol Policy.

Tennessee Law on Alcohol

The following summary is provided to promote increased awareness of the Tennessee laws concerning alcoholic beverages. This summary is not intended to be a restatement of the law nor a summary of all of the laws relating to alcoholic beverages. All members of the Rhodes community are responsible for compliance with the state laws governing the use of alcohol.

Regarding alcohol consumption, according to Tennessee law, it is illegal:

• For any person or group of legal drinking age to sell, furnish, or provide alcoholic beverages to any person under twenty-one years of age;
• For any person under the age of twenty-one to purchase, receive, or possess alcoholic beverages;
• For any person to make a false statement to the effect that he or she is twenty-one years of age or older for the purpose of obtaining alcoholic beverages;
• For any person or group to sell alcoholic beverages without a license;
• For any person or group of legal drinking age to sell or furnish any alcoholic beverages to any person who is known to be visibly intoxicated, or to any person who appears to habitually drink alcoholic beverages to excess, or to any person who appears to be a habitual user of narcotics or other habit-forming drugs.

Regarding alcohol and driving a motor vehicle, according to Tennessee law, it is illegal:

• To drive or be in physical control of a motor vehicle if a person is under twenty-one years of age and register .02 or more blood-alcohol content (BAC); for individuals who are twenty-one or over, the blood-alcohol test level is set at .08.
• To consume any alcoholic beverage or possess an open container of alcoholic beverage while operating a motor vehicle.

Partial summary of punishments for offenses related to alcohol and motor vehicles:

• The offense of driving while impaired (.02 or greater BAC) for a person under age twenty-one (21) is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by a driver’s license suspension of one (1) year and by a fine of two-hundred fifty dollars ($250). As additional punishment, the court may impose public service work.
• The offense of driving while the driver is in possession of an open container of alcohol, or of a beverage containing any amount of alcohol, is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine to be established by the court.
• The first DUI offense (.08 or higher BAC) is punishable by 48 hours up to 11 months and 29 days jail time, one (1) year suspension of license, $350 -$1,500 fine, and participation in an alcohol treatment program.
• The second DUI offense (.08 or higher BAC) is punishable by 45 days up to 11 months and 29 days jail time, two (2) year suspension of license, $600 - $3,500 fine, and an alcohol and drug treatment program may be required.
• The third DUI offense (.08 or higher BAC) is punishable by 120 days up to 11 months and 29 days jail time, three (3) to ten (10) year suspension of license, $1,100 - $10,000  fine, and an alcohol and drug treatment program may be required.
• The fourth DUI offense (.08 or higher BAC) is a Class E Felony punishable by 150 straight days minimum jail time, five (5) year suspension of license, $3000 - $15,000 fine, and 1 to 6 years’ probation or parole, and an alcohol and drug treatment program may be required.

Violations and Sanctions

In light of our Vision and policy we seek to establish an appropriate system for addressing violations of our community, remembering our commitment to fostering an atmosphere of personal and communal development. 

• To emphasize learning versus punishment
• To promote development
• To emphasize success and support
• To support responsibility and judgment of individuals and groups.

Student violations of this policy are on a two-tiered system. “Level 1” Violations include, but are not limited to, the possession or consumption of alcohol if under the age of 21 or providing alcohol to underage students. “Level 2” Violations include, but are not limited to, alcohol intoxication or substance induced behavior that places a student at risk in terms of health and safety issues. The adjudicator determines the level of the violation.
Students in violation will:

1. Dispose of all alcoholic beverages in his or her possession or the alcoholic beverages will be confiscated and disposed of by a College staff member;
2. Receive a written or oral warning that current or future policy violation(s) may result in more severe sanctions and/or administrative action at the discretion of the adjudicator.

Level 1 Violation
1st Violation	2nd Violation	3rd Violation	4th Violation
Alcohol Education  Fine Letter of Warning Other Sanctions	Alcohol Education Fine Substance Evaluation Letter of Warning Parent/Guardian Notified Disciplinary Probation Other Sanctions	Substance Evaluation Parent/Guardian Notified Deferred Suspension Letter of Warning Suspension Other Sanctions	Suspension Parent/Guardian Notified Other Sanctions
Level 2 Violation
1st Violation	2nd Violation	3rd Violation
Alcohol Education Fine Parent/Guardian Notified Substance Evaluation Letter of Warning Other Sanctions	Alcohol Education Fine Parent/Guardian Notified Substance Evaluation Disciplinary Probation or Deferred Suspension  Letter of Warning Other Sanctions	Parent/Guardian Notified Substance Evaluation Suspension Other Sanctions

Alcohol Education –designed to increase awareness of health, safety and legal issues surrounding alcohol misuse;
Substance Evaluation – evaluation for substance abuse issues;

Parent/Guardian Notified – The parent/guardian will be notified via email.

Other Sanctions – see section on “Disciplinary Sanctions”

Failure to complete the required sanction(s) within six (6) weeks will result in: (1) the inability to register at enrollment clearance for the following semester until requirements are met; and (2) other sanctions may be applied.

Special Note: Any violation that includes drinking and driving on campus will likely result in a suspension of parking and driving privileges for the rest of the student’s college career at Rhodes.

Alcohol Awareness

Rhodes is committed to providing students, faculty, and staff with factual information about alcohol as well as confidential referrals for professional assistance in the event that they are needed. An awareness of the negative effects of alcohol consumption may assist you in your efforts to make safe and responsible choices about alcohol. Educational programs will be organized and conducted annually to promote continued awareness and encourage an attitude of genuine concern and care for others. Information concerning responsible use, effective party planning, indications of abuse or addiction, and resources for assistance are available for you or someone you care about in the Counseling Center.