January 7, 2005 |
2005-R-0015 | |
ALCOHOL POLICIES AT UCONN AND CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSITIES | ||
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By: Saul Spigel, Chief Analyst | ||
You asked for a comparison of alcohol policies at UConn and the Connecticut State University (CSU) campuses.
SUMMARY
Alcohol policies vary among UConn and the four state universities. State law makes alcohol possession or consumption by anyone under age 21 illegal, and all schools’ policies state this.
Central and Eastern Connecticut State Universities (CCSU and ECSU) ban alcohol anywhere in a residence facility. Southern, Western (SCSU and WCSU), and UConn permit students age 21 and above to drink in their rooms but prohibit alcohol possession or consumption anywhere else in the residence hall. UConn and SCSU make an exception to this rule by permitting alcohol use in common areas of residences during approved special events.
All schools permit alcohol at student-sponsored events in university facilities. All require events to be approved in advance by a dean or program director. Beyond those commonalities, the schools’ policies vary considerably. Most require nonalcoholic beverages to be available at events where alcohol is served; some prohibit charging admission to such events. Some prohibit “bring your own (BYO)” events; others regulate their conduct. ECSU requires event sponsors to obtain “dram shop” insurance; WSCU requires them to have and pay for police security at their events.
All four state universities prohibit alcohol at intramural or intercollegiate athletic events (although SCSU and WCSU permit it on specific occasions); UConn’s policy does not address this issue. SCSU’s and WCSU’s policies specifically address alcohol use at off-campus events; the other schools' policies do not.
Sanctions for violating the schools’ policies range from warning letters to expulsion. The specific sanction applied depends on the nature and severity of the violation. Students are also subject to state laws governing alcohol possession and consumption. The penalties for violating these laws range from fines of between $ 200 and $ 500.
Table 1 compares the major components of the schools’ policies.
Table 1: Alcohol Policies at UConn and CSU campuses
UCONN |
CCSU |
ECSU |
SCSU |
WCSU | |
Residence Facilities |
• Students age 21 and older may drink in their rooms • Alcohol possession and consumption prohibited in all common areas of dorms • Residence hall councils can, with approval, sponsor events involving alcohol in dining halls and other, specified locations in residence halls • Kegs & other “common source” containers are prohibited unless at approved event • Graduate students age 21 and older may drink with meals in graduate residence kitchens |
Alcohol is not permitted in any campus residence |
Alcohol is not permitted in any campus residence |
• Students age 21 and older may drink in their rooms • Residents may not bring in more than six cans (12 oz. ) of beer, or 1 bottle of wine (28 oz. ) or liquor (8 oz. ) a day • Alcohol is prohibited in residence common areas of dorms and campus grounds • Alcohol is allowed at special events with Dean of Students approval • Kegs and other “common source” containers are prohibited • Delivery of alcohol is prohibited except for special events |
• Students age 21 and older may drink in their rooms, but only if all other room residents are at least age 21 and no one under age 21 is present • Alcohol possession and consumption prohibited in all common areas of dorms and adjacent outdoor areas • Kegs & other “common source” containers are prohibited |
-Continued-
UCONN |
CCSU |
ECSU |
SCSU |
WCSU | |
Other Campus Buildings & Property |
• Student Activities Department must approve events where alcohol is served • Only organization members & their guests can attend sponsored events • Admission fees are prohibited, except at BYO events, which must meet additional criteria • No one under age 21 is allowed in room where alcohol is served or consumed (except if event is held in a university facility with a state liquor license) • Food and nonalcoholic beverages must be available • Alcohol is not allowed at outdoor events • Event sponsors’ promotion must encourage responsible drinking |
• President must approve any social event where alcohol is served; request must be made by faculty or staff member • Drinking is prohibited on campus grounds • BYO functions prohibited |
• Dean of students must approve all requests to serve alcohol at events (President must approve for certain locations) • Alcohol may not be sold at events or admission charged if alcohol is served, unless state permit is obtained • Nonalcoholic beverages must be available • Event sponsor must obtain Dram Shop Act insurance & provide adequate security • Faculty or staff advisor must be present for entire event • Kegs & other “common source” containers are prohibited |
• Dean of student affairs must approve requests to serve alcohol at events • Alcohol may not be sold at events or admission charged if alcohol is served • Food and nonalcoholic beverages must be available • Drinking is prohibited on campus grounds • BYO functions prohibited |
• Director of student center/student life must approve request to serve alcohol at events • Campus police must be present at events where alcohol is served; sponsoring group must pay for police • Sponsoring group must acknowledge in writing that they understand responsibility for enforcing state liquor laws • Nonalcoholic beverages must be available • “Open bars” prohibited at events where students will be present; drinks must be purchased separately from admission |
-Continued-
UCONN |
CCSU |
ECSU |
SCSU |
WCSU | |
Athletic Events |
Policy does not specifically address these events |
Alcohol prohibited at indoor & outdoor athletic events |
Alcohol prohibited at intramural and intercollegiate athletic activities |
Alcohol prohibited at intramural and intercollegiate athletic activities, unless approved by dean of student affairs |
Alcohol prohibited at intramural and intercollegiate athletic activities, except for home football games when drinking is permitted in a designated picnic area |
Off-Campus |
Policy does not specifically address off-campus events |
BYO functions prohibited |
Policy does not specifically address off-campus events |
• dean of student affairs must approve requests to serve alcohol at events • BYO functions prohibited |
• Director of student center/student life must approve request to serve alcohol at events • Sponsoring group should establish designated driver system • Sponsoring group must acknowledge in writing that members understand responsibility for enforcing state liquor laws • Nonalcoholic beverages must be available • “Open bars” prohibited at events where students will be present; drinks must be purchased separately from admission |
-Continued-
UCONN |
CCSU |
ECSU |
SCSU |
WCSU | |
Penalties |
Penalties on individuals or organizations vary depending on nature of violation: • warning • loss of privileges • participation in health or safety program or community service • relocation in or removal from housing • suspension • expulsion |
Penalties on individuals or organizations vary depending on nature of violation: • warning • probation • warning, probation in, or removal from housing • suspension • expulsion • organization loss of recognition |
Penalties on individuals or organizations vary depending on nature of violation: o warning o probation o warning, probation in, or removal from housing; o suspension o expulsion o organization loss of recognition • Event cancelled if policy not followed • Event terminated if nonalcoholic beverages are not available |
Penalties on individuals or organizations vary depending on nature of violation: o warning o probation o warning, probation in, or removal from housing o suspension o expulsion o organization loss of recognition • Parents may notified if student under age 21 violates policy 2nd time, needs medical treatment is arrested, or harms or threatens to harm others |
Penalties on individuals or organizations vary depending on nature of violation: • warning • probation • warning, probation in, or removal from housing; • suspension • expulsion • organization loss of recognition |
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