Alcohol

Quick Links: community expectations violation | group-sponsored functions | health & safety intervention

Duke University’s alcohol policy encourages students to make responsible decisions about the use of alcoholic beverages and promotes safe, legal, and healthy patterns of social interaction. Duke recognizes its students to be responsible adults and believes that students should behave in a manner that is not disruptive or endangering to themselves or others and is in compliance with state and local laws regarding the possession, consumption, sale, and delivery of alcohol.

For individuals as well as groups, prohibited behavior includes:

• Underage Possession/Consumption
• Unsafe/Irresponsible Behavior
• Violation of Community Expectations.
  

Sanctions for violations of any of these prohibited behaviors may include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: educational initiatives, restitution to the community, fines, revocation of housing and/or on-campus driving privileges, referral to a substance abuse specialist, treatment through a professional agency such as the Duke Addictions Program, formal warning, disciplinary probation, suspension, or expulsion from the university. Parents of students under the age of 21 will be notified of alcohol-related disciplinary violations when a student’s health or safety has been/is at risk.

For complete information regarding North Carolina state laws governing alcohol, consult the North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 18B (available online at http://www.ncleg.net/gascripts/Statutes/Statutes.asp). Criminal penalties for a violation of these laws include a misdemeanor conviction, community service, possible loss of driver’s license, and/or fines.

Underage Possession/Consumption
Duke University’s alcohol policy is in accordance with North Carolina state law; that is, only those 21 years of age and older are permitted to purchase, possess, or consume alcoholic beverages. All persons on university property consuming or possessing alcohol must carry a valid driver’s license or state identification card, military identification card, or passport. In addition, Duke students must carry their DukeCard at all times. Being under the influence of any amount of alcohol while underage is considered a violation of this provision.

Unsafe/Irresponsible Behavior
Unsafe or irresponsible behavior is defined as actions that are harmful or potentially harmful to one’s self or others involving the use of alcohol. Unsafe behavior includes, but is not limited to, consuming through beer bongs, participating in or facilitating drinking games or progressive parties, taking shots of liquor, or consuming an excessive quantity in a short amount of time. Irresponsible behavior includes, but is not limited to, the use or attempted use of fraudulent identification in order to obtain alcohol or making alcohol available to underage drinkers.

Community Expectations Violation
It shall be a violation of the alcohol policy to engage in an action while under the influence of alcohol that is disruptive to the community. Such behavior includes, but is not limited to, vomiting in public, public urination, fighting, exhibiting disorderly conduct, damaging property, throwing bottles, blocking or lying across or otherwise preventing or interfering with access to or passage across an entryway or thoroughfare, or cursing or shouting at others.

Additionally, Duke University has established the following general provisions regarding alcohol:

• No kegs are permitted in private rooms, student apartments, commons rooms, or other public space. (University-approved bartenders, who will be responsible for carding, may distribute alcohol from kegs in public space at officially approved and registered events.)
• No alcoholic beverages are permitted in first-year houses (or the surrounding grounds) on East Campus.
• No alcoholic beverages are permitted within the confines of athletic facilities during sporting events.
• The use of alcoholic beverages as a prize in a contest, drawing, lottery, etc., is prohibited.
• The use of alcoholic beverages in games (e.g., quarters, drink-offs, “beer pong,” etc.) is prohibited.
• Only university-approved bartenders are permitted to distribute alcohol on campus, including alcohol from common-source containers.
• Except at events in a licensed facility providing a cash bar, no spirituous liquor or fortified wines may be served to undergraduates.
• Alcohol may not be brought in glass containers to BYOB events.
  

Group-Sponsored Social Functions
Duke University recognizes the value of group-sponsored social events. Groups are permitted to hold open or closed (by invitation only, through the use of guest lists) social events. Groups may be held accountable for underage possession, unsafe or irresponsible behavior, and violations of community expectations that occur during a group-sponsored event.

The following provisions of the alcohol policy apply regarding the presence, use, and distribution of alcohol at group-sponsored social functions. A group is responsible for reasonable monitoring of underage drinking and may be sanctioned if the lack of monitoring leads, or could lead, to unsafe/irresponsible behavior and/or community expectations violations. Additionally, groups are expected to ensure that unsafe/irresponsible behavior and/or violations of community expectations do not occur. (See above definitions of unsafe/irresponsible behavior and violations of community expectations.) If such behavior does occur, identifiable individuals will be held accountable. A group will be held accountable if the group failed to take appropriate precautions. Appropriate precautions must include:

• A sober party monitor for every 25 persons expected to attend the event;
• Adequate and accessible non-alcoholic beverages and food;
• Compliance with all fire safety regulations;
• Adequate control of access to event;
• Enforcing occupancy limits for the venue, including commons rooms, hallways, and stairwells;
• Calling for medical/police assistance as needed; and
• Serving of alcohol by licensed bartenders only.
  

Student party monitors must have attended a party management seminar presented by the Office of Student Activities and Facilities. Their duties shall include, but are not limited to, prevention of alcohol policy violations, intervention and care of inebriated, at-risk individuals, elimination of safety hazards, and attention to group precautions. Checking identification will be the responsibility of licensed bartenders.

Social events that fail to meet any of these expectations must be shut down immediately.

Health and Safety Intervention
Because health and safety of students are of primary importance, students are encouraged not only to look out for their own health and safety but also for that of their peers. When a person’s health and/or safety is/are threatened or appear(s) to be in jeopardy, immediate action should be taken to prevent injury/illness/danger. The action may be a call to Duke Police (911; 684-2444 from non-campus phones) or Student Health (681-WELL (9355)) for assistance and guidance. Whatever the particular need/problem, it is important to respond in a responsible and timely manner.

Formal disciplinary action for a violation of the alcohol policy will not be taken against students for whom medical assistance is sought, or against those who seek medical assistance for themselves or for others, provided that the student/group has not violated other university policies that warrant formal disciplinary action.

A student who receives medical assistance shall be required to meet with a substance abuse specialist in Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) for education, assessment, and possible referral for treatment. The student will also be required to complete an educational assignment. Parents of such students under the legal drinking age will also be notified.

In the event that a student fails to meet with the specialist, chooses not to participate in the treatment program outlined, or exhibits a pattern of abusive behavior with alcohol, the student may be subject to formal disciplinary action and/or placed on a Medical Leave of Absence until he/she produces documentation that appropriate treatment has been successfully sought.