Troy University Alcohol Policy

 

Background

 

The Troy University alcohol policy is in compliance with and expands on directives previously published in the Staff Handbook (2002) and Faculty Handbook (2003) and The Oracle (2003).  Further, this policy may serve as the annual reminder for all employees cited in the Staff Handbook.

 

Policy Statement

 

Troy University recognizes that the use of illicit drugs and the abuse of alcohol interfere with the rights of everyone to a safe and productive educational environment or workplace. The Troy University System has a legal obligation to maintain a drug-free school and drug-free workplace. Accordingly, Troy University complies with and upholds all federal, state, and local laws that regulate or prohibit the possession, use, or distribution of alcohol, prescription drugs not prescribed by medical personnel, and/or illicit drugs. Unless otherwise stated by law, each individual retains responsibility for his or her mental or physical state, even if altered by alcoholic beverages or other drugs. Students, faculty, staff, and employees of Troy University are hereby notified of the University’s alcohol policy and are expected to adhere to the guidelines set forth in this policy.

 

Summary of State and Local Laws regarding Alcohol

 

All campus leaders (faculty, staff, students) must ensure compliance with the following  laws of the State of Alabama and the City of Troy:

 

1.         Possession, use or purchase of liquor, beer, or wine by persons under 21 years of age. (Code of Alabama, 28-3-266)

2.         Sale or advertisement of sale of alcoholic beverages without a license. (Code of Alabama, 28-3-60:10)

3.         Public drunkenness (Code of Alabama, 28-3-260:3)

4.         Providing liquor, beer, or wine to an underage individual. (Code of Alabama, 28-3-261)

5.         Sale of alcoholic beverages on Sunday (Code of Alabama, 28-3-261)

6.         Driving while under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances. (Code of Alabama, 32-5A-191)

 

University Regulations

 

1.         No individual under the legal drinking age of 21 years will be allowed to consume, serve, sell, or possess alcohol on university property.

2.          Public drunkenness or driving under the influence on campus is prohibited.

3.         The consumption of alcohol by those of legal drinking age will be restricted to the following properties of Troy University:

            a.         The Arboretum Building

            b.         Tailgate Terrace(s)

            c.         Red Wave Executive Suites and Stadium Club located in Movie Gallery  

                        Veterans Stadium and other designated viewing suites

            d.         Hawkins Adams Long Hall of Honor

e.         Private university living quarters where those present are of legal drinking age. Consumption or display of alcoholic beverages in the public areas of residence halls is prohibited.                                                                                                                                

f.          In common areas for special events, if approved by the Chancellor or his/her designee. For faculty sponsored events, the designee is the Senior Vice Chancellor/Provost; for events sponsored by the TSU administration, the designee is the Senior Vice Chancellor for Administration; and for all other groups the designee is the Senior Vice Chancellor for Student Services.  The consumption of alcohol at other campus locations will be approved by the appropriate chain as just defined.

 

4.        Sponsorship of events promoting or glamorizing the consumption of alcoholic       

      beverages is prohibited (i.e., two for one specials, beer bashes, happy hours, 

      etc.).

5.         On-campus advertisements directly promoting consumption of alcoholic beverages are prohibited.

6.         Campus organizations must enforce additional group/individual standards, as directed by their national or international organizational bylaws, which may be more restrictive than those established in this policy.

7.         The consumption of alcohol during university field trips, off- campus student group activities, and other student-oriented off campus events is prohibited, unless in compliance with applicable laws and regulations (i.e., students are 21-years old, travel abroad where laws on alcohol consumption are less restrictive).

8.         University employees are strongly advised not to provide alcohol for students at off-campus locations. Employees choosing to provide alcohol to students do so outside the scope of their employment and assume all risks.

 

Policy Violations

 

Enforcement of the alcohol policy for students shall reside in the Office of the Senior Vice Chancellor for Student Services, with the university’s judicial officer acting as the initial contact for such violators. Enforcement of the alcohol policy for faculty resides with the Senior Vice Chancellor for Academics/Provost and for staff with the Senior Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance respectively.  Violations in these areas will be handled by the University Personnel Advisory Committee.  Enforcement on other campuses will be with the respective officials in the reporting chain of the officials previously cited.

 

Violations of the Troy University Alcohol Policy will be handled as follows:

 

University Organizations

            First Time Offenders, within an academic year:

A.      Will be referred to the university judicial officer for disciplinary action.

B.     Will be fined $200*

Repeat Offenders, within an academic year:

A.      Will be referred to the university judicial officer for appropriate disciplinary action to include possible revocation or recognition as an approved organization.

B.     Will be fined $500*

 

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Students

First Time Offenders, within an academic year:

A.      Will be referred to the university judicial officer for disciplinary action, in accordance with the Standards of Conduct as outlined in The Oracle, to include community service, alcohol assessment and/or counseling, or suspension.

B.     Will be fined $75.*

            Repeat Offenders, within an academic year:

A.      Will be referred to the university judicial officer for disciplinary action to include community service, alcohol assessment and/or counseling, or suspension.

B.     Will be fined $150*.

Faculty/Staff

            Violations of the Troy University Alcohol Policy by faculty/staff will be handled by the University Personnel Advisory Committee.

 

* Money collected from fines for alcohol policy violations will be used specifically for Troy University alcohol education programs.  If it is determined that the student does not have the ability to pay the monetary fine, the student will be required to work the fine off through school services, to be determined by the Judicial Officer.

 

Services Provided

 

Troy University provides free, confidential counseling for students having drug or alcohol abuse problems within the SAVE Project/University Counseling office or through similar programs on other campuses.   Referrals for extended treatment may be made to community counseling and local treatment programs.

 

“Smart Choices” is a campus sponsored alcohol awareness program designed to alert students to the problems associated with alcohol abuse. Staff members are available to provide a variety of programs and presentations for campus organizations and classes. “Smart Choices” is housed in the Student Development/Counseling office.

 

Individuals not covered in the above areas should check with their respective campus counseling services to acquire necessary help or contact the Troy Student Development/Counseling office for further information.

 

Policy Distribution

 

The Troy University Alcohol Policy is made available to students, employees, and the general public through the following means:

1.      The Oracle, the student handbook, published and distributed through the Vice Chancellor for Student Services office

2.      The Bulletin, published and distributed through the Provost’s Office.

3.      The Faculty Handbook and The Staff Handbook, published and distributed by the

      Human Resources department.

4.      Appropriate publications on each campus.

 

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Policy Review

The university’s standing committee, The Substance Abuse and Prevention Committee, will annually review the university’s alcohol policy across the campuses to assess its effectiveness. Recommended revisions will be presented to the Senior Vice Chancellor for Student Services.

 

(Prepared by: Director of Student Development/Counseling, Fall 2002)

(Reviewed by Substance Abuse and Prevention Committee, 12-10-02)
(Date prepared:  November, 2003)

(Date approved: December 2, 2003)

 

 

Student/Student Organizations Tailgate Policy

 

Tailgating is a big part of "College Football Saturday". Troy University encourages students to be a part of the football atmosphere. With this participation comes responsibility for both individuals and groups. All students and student groups are expected to abide by the following policies during tailgating activities.

 

1) Persons and/or groups may only tailgate in designated areas of the campus.

 

2) Tailgate parties cannot disrupt tIle-normal operations of the University or traffic and parking operations.

 

3) The use of alcohol at a tailgating function must be in strict compliance with

      current University policies and the laws of the State of Alabama. Specifically:

 

a. No individual under the legal drinking age of 21 years of age will be allowed to possess, consume or distribute alcoholic beverages.

b. Public drunkenness on University property is strictly prohibited.

c. Organizations must comply with all risk management policies of their national and campus organizations to include:

No alcoholic beverages may be purchased through the organization treasury; nor may the purchase of alcohol for members or guests be undertaken or coordinated by any member in the name of, or on behalf of, the organization.

 

Alcohol beverages brought to the tailgate area must be for personal consumption and cannot be distributed to others (i.e. a bar cannot be set up for distributing alcohol).

 

The purchase and/or use of a bulk quantity of alcoholic beverages (i.e. kegs, punch) is prohibited.

 

All alcohol in the tailgate area must be in a non-de script cup.  Public display of cans, bottles or other alcohol containers is strictly prohibited.

 

d. Students and/or organizations are expected to comply with all other University rules and policies regarding conduct and behavior.

e. Persons and/or groups not complying with policies regarding tailgating will lose the privilege of doing so on University property.