On Campus Housing Alcohol Policy

Approved by the President
12/22/2014

Latest Revision
1/25/2023

Next Renewal
1/1/2025

Policy Contact
Residential Experience and Housing
(607) 436-2514
reslife@oneonta.edu

Rationale

As an educational institution, SUNY Oneonta recognizes that the use of alcohol is a matter of individual choice and does not, therefore, encourage or discourage the reasonable legal use of alcoholic beverages. SUNY Oneonta strives to empower students to make positive choices that reflect attitudes and behaviors that result in healthy lifestyles and contribute to a positive campus learning environment.

The conditions of study and sleep in residence halls are vital to SUNY Oneonta's educational purposes as a residential university and integral to student academic performance. The use of alcohol and other drugs in a residence hall community not only impacts student users but may also have a significant negative impact on other students in the residence hall community.

Applicability of the Policy

This policy only applies to students who reside in Higgins Hall and Curtis Hall.

Policy Elaboration

  1. The possession or consumption of alcohol by persons less than 21 years of age is prohibited. Underage students who reside with students of legal drinking age may be in the presence of alcohol in their assigned residence hall room/apartment, provided these underage roommates do not possess or consume alcohol.
  2. Alcohol may be possessed and consumed by students and/or guests over 21 years of age only within student apartments/rooms if (at least one of) the residents responsible for the room is at least 21 years of age.
    • No alcoholic beverages shall be permitted in a room or apartment where all assigned student residents are under the age of 21, even if a student 21 years of age or older is present.
    • Guests or visitors (regardless of age) are prohibited from bringing alcohol for consumption or distribution into an apartment/room.
  3. Students of legal drinking age must ensure that the amount of alcohol present in the room is reasonable for consumption by the individual resident over a reasonable period of time. In keeping with this, students of legal age may possess one of the following at any one time:
    • Up to one 12-pack of 12 ounce bottles/cans of beer (or equivalent) OR
    • 750ml of wine OR
    • 750ml of hard liquor
  4. A person may not provide alcohol to anyone under the age of 21. A person is guilty of unlawfully dealing with a child (260.20 a class A misdemeanor) when: "he gives or sells or causes to be given or sold, any alcoholic beverage, as defined by section three of the alcoholic beverage control law, to a person less than 21 years old..."
  5. Individuals who host events or activities where alcohol is present are responsible for abiding by the tenets of the NYS Social Host Law, including but not limited to:
    • Host(s) will serve only persons of legal age;
    • Host(s) will be held responsible for injuries and/or damage that occur even after an individual who was served has left the venue;
    • Host(s) of events where alcohol is served in exchange for money, donation or a door charge to enter, are required to obtain a license and approval from the local municipality. (This act is prohibited by SUNY Oneonta.)
  6. Students consuming alcohol are under a continuous obligation to follow the Code of Student Conduct. Behavior by an intoxicated person such that he or she becomes a public nuisance and/or is disruptive to the living community is prohibited. Intoxication is not an acceptable excuse for behavior that violates the Code of Student Conduct.
  7. The following are strictly prohibited anywhere in Higgins Hall and Curtis Hall:
    1. Possession of open containers used for alcoholic beverages is not permitted for any student, guest, or visitor in public areas such as corridors, lounges, bathrooms, elevators, lobbies, offices, stairwells, doorways and the grounds surrounding Higgins Hall. Thus, movement between apartments with alcoholic beverages is prohibited.
    2. The possession of kegs, mini kegs, boxed wine, spiked punch, Jell-0 shots and/or any alcohol infused foods are prohibited.
    3. Bars, beer pong tables, drinking contests/games, funnels and all other mechanisms or tools used to promote consumption of large quantities, or rapid consumption, of alcohol are prohibited.
    4. Any alcohol paraphernalia is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, flasks, can/bottle displays, and/or taps of any kind.
    5. Displaying any alcohol beverage containers, signs, lights or other alcohol/prohibited substance-related materials in any window or doors facing public areas is prohibited.
  8. No activity will be sponsored or approved where alcohol is served or consumed.
  9. Compliance with all requests by University officials, including Residential Life staff or University Police, for proof of age is required. SUNY Oneonta reserves the right to ascertain the age of anyone in an area where alcohol is present. If proof of age cannot be established, the alcohol will be confiscated and disposed of.
  10. Students and/or guests who are belligerent or uncooperative with Residence Life staff, University Police, emergency medical personnel, or any other university official will be subject to the university disciplinary action and/or arrest.
  11. Any alcohol possessed in violation of any provision of this policy may be confiscated and disposed of by Residence Life staff or University Police.
  12. Violations of this policy will be dealt with through the SUNY Oneonta Judicial System or the legal system as appropriate.
  13. The number of people allowed in one apartment at a time is limited to double the number of residents of that apartment/suite, (ie: If there are 6 residents of an apartment/suite, the limit is 12 persons total)

Definitions

Any definitions are clarified in the Code of Student Conduct and/or Residence Hall License.

Procedures

To review the full procedure of this policy, click on the URL link or copy and paste the URL into your web browser:

https://suny.oneonta.edu/residential-experience-and-housing/housing-policies/residence-hall-license

Contacts

Questions related to the daily operational interpretation of this policy should be directed to:

Residential Experience and Housing
(607) 436-2514
reslife@oneonta.edu

Related Documents / Policies

Effective Dates

  • Approved by the President/Provost on 12/22/2014
  • Latest Revision on 1/25/2023
  • Next Renewal on 1/1/2025
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