• Background
• Selected city/state laws regarding alcohol use
• SPSU’s policy on alcoholic beverages
• SPSU’s guidelines/regulations for alcohol use
• Enforcing and monitoring guidelines

Most university students are in critical stages of their development into adults. In addition to acquiring knowledge and skills for their adult citizenship and occupational roles, they also are learning adult social roles. A major adult social issue that they must address is their choice regarding the use of alcoholic beverages.

It is in recognition of this issue that the following policies and procedures are adopted at Southern Polytechnic State University.

ORDINANCES FROM CITY OF MARIETTA
 

Code No.	Code Description
10-1007	Public Drunkenness It shall be unlawful for any person to appear in an intoxicated condition on any public street or highway or within the curtilage of any private residence not in the exclusive possession of the person so intoxicated, or upon any railway passenger train or other public conveyance, or at any fairgrounds, ballgrounds, show grounds, park or at any other place or public gathering or assembly, where such drunkenness is caused by the excessive use of intoxicating beverages or opiates. Such drunkenness must be made manifest by boisterousness or by indecent condition or acting or by vulgar, profane or unbecoming language, or loud and violent discourse, or the unconsciousness induced by intoxicating beverages or opiates.
10-1009	Drinking Prohibited Drinking of alcoholic beverages upon the premises of any city owned or operated parks or recreation centers or upon the streets and sidewalks adjacent to these premises is prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person at any time to drink any whiskey, wine, beer or other alcoholic beverages upon or within any parked lots and streets adjacent to city owned or operated parks and recreation centers. This section and sections d. (1-4) specifically grant the authority to the city council to waive the restrictions on the use of alcoholic beverages in and around Glover Park under clearly defined conditions.

BOARD OF REGENTS POLICY REGARDING ALCOHOL ON CAMPUS
 

Code No.

Code Description

406.03

The Board of Regents recognizes and supports present Georgia laws with respect to the sale, use, distribution, and possession of alcoholic beverages on college campuses and elsewhere. To this end, the Board has encouraged its institutions to adopt programs designed to increase awareness of the dangers involved in the use of alcoholic beverages by students and employees of the University System. Such programs shall stress individual responsibility related to the use of alcohol on and off the campus. To assist in the implementation of such awareness programs, and to enhance the enforcement of state laws on the campuses of the University System, each institution shall adopt and disseminate comprehensive rules and regulations, consistent with local, state, and federal laws, concerning the possession or use of alcoholic beverages on campus. Disciplinary sanctions for the violation of such rules and regulations shall be included as a part of each institution's disciplinary code of student conduct. A copy of the policies and procedures adopted by each institution shall be filed with and approved by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Services of the Board of Regents prior to the beginning of the Fall Quarter 1990 and shall be reviewed and approved by this office annually thereafter.

Important in the reduction of alcohol-related problems is the human capacity to act responsibly under the proper conditions. A reduction of problems related to the misuse of alcohol cannot be achieved solely through the development of rules and regulations. However, rules and regulations are important and necessary; people need to know what their responsibilities are as members of the campus community.

The following guidelines/regulations are intended to strike a reasonable and realistic balance between the educational mission and the enforcement responsibilities of the university. The guidelines/ regulations were developed consistent with the "Model Alcohol Policy" recommended by the Inter-Association Task Force on Alcohol Issues. Task Force participants include the following:

• American University Personnel Association
• National Association of Student Personnel Administrators
• American University Unions-International
• National Association for Campus Activities
• Association for University and University Housing Officers
• The National Association for University and University Residence Halls
• BACCHUS

1. By both state law and university policy, possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages is not allowed by those students who are under 21 years of age.
2. Each student is completely liable for all his/her actions at all times regardless of his/her mental or physical state, even if altered by alcoholic beverages or other drugs. Each student organization at Southern Polytechnic is primarily responsible for the behavior of its members whenever alcohol is being served at one of its functions.
3. On campus, possession and consumption of alcohol by those 21 years of age and older will be allowed only in the privacy of one's assigned residence hall room.
4. Off-campus social events involving alcoholic beverages shall not include any form of "drinking contest" in its activities or promotion.
5. At events where alcohol is to be present, an ample supply of non-alcoholic beverages and food must be available in the same time period as alcoholic beverages. The availability of food should include more than "chips and peanuts," which are often associated with drinking alcohol.
6. Organizations choosing to advertise the availability of alcoholic beverages at approved functions will not make reference to the quantity of or overindulgence in alcoholic beverages. References will also be made to the serving of food and non-alcoholic beverages as well as the checking of I.D. cards.
7. The sponsoring organization shall be responsible for ensuring that no under-age person is served alcohol. A driver's license or other official identification must be checked to verify that the person is of legal age before a person may receive and/or consume alcoholic beverages.
8. Money used to pay for alcoholic beverages must be taken from personal/private sources. Alcoholic beverages will not be paid for by selling them at the activity or charging at the door (as stated in the Georgia Code of Law). Student activity funds shall not be used to purchase alcoholic beverages.
9. All alcoholic beverages on campus shall be transported in unopened containers.
10. An organizational advisor or alumnus will be aware of or, preferably, in attendance at a social event where alcohol is to be present.
11. As stated in Section 3-3-22 of the State of Georgia Code of Law, it is unlawful to serve alcohol to obviously intoxicated persons. Therefore, organizations are encouraged to designate individuals to monitor the service and/or consumption of alcohol.
12. Alcoholic beverages shall not be used as a primary focus at membership recruitment functions. Student organizations promoting social events or activities on campus shall not prominently display insignias, labels, or logos of alcoholic beverage products.
13. Violations of these guidelines/regulations will be handled through the normal disciplinary procedures of the university.
• In addition to the established disciplinary sanctions of warning, probation, suspension, and expulsion, other disciplinary actions may be taken including restitution for property damages, and participating in or sponsoring alcohol education programs.
• Additional restrictions may be imposed upon campus organizations including the loss of social privileges, probationary status, jeopardizing the relationship with local or national affiliations, and the removal of recognition.
• Violations by residence hall students may result in the termination of contract and removal from the residence halls.

1. All members of the Southern Polytechnic community are encouraged to refer students with alcohol problems to members of the Student Affairs staff for assistance.
2. Advisors or advisory boards of all student organizations are responsible for the following:
• Being familiar with the alcohol policy and the sanctions for non-compliance
• Being aware of legal liability in the event of an alcohol related accident or fatality
• Reporting any cases of alcohol abuse or illegal use of alcoholic beverages to the dean of students
3. Resident assistants are required to report violations of this policy to the director of housing and residence life. In addition, resident assistants are expected to report anyone who is consistently or repeatedly intoxicated or who has consumed a near lethal dose of alcohol. Attempts will be made to arrange for professional assistance for these individuals.
4. The InterGreek Council is encouraged to implement a self-monitoring system for alcohol use by Greek organizations.
5. The University Police shall play an active role in discouraging improper alcohol use on campus. Serious violations will be reported to the dean of students. Legal action will be taken against students behaving in an abusive or uncooperative manner.