Lenoir-Rhyne University
Campus Organization Advisor's Handbook

I. Statement of Policy

The Board of Trustees has established the following policy regarding alcoholic beverages on the University campus:

"The University discourages the use of alcoholic beverages and therefore prohibits their display in areas of the Lenoir-Rhyne campus open to the public. Members of the campus community are not exempt from North Carolina State law, which provides that persons under the age of 21 may neither possess nor consume alcoholic beverages. Violations of University regulations and/or state laws pertaining to alcoholic beverages will result in disciplinary action."

A set of federal and state laws further define the University’s policy on alcoholic beverages. Specifically, North Carolina State Statute 18B-302 states:

1. It shall be unlawful for a person less than 21 years old to purchase, attempt to purchase, or possess malt beverages, wine, liquor, or mixed beverages.
2. It shall be unlawful to sell or give malt beverages, wine, liquor, or mixed beverages to anyone less than 21 years old.
3. It shall be unlawful for anyone to obtain or attempt to obtain alcoholic beverages by using a fraudulent or altered driver’s license or other ID; also, by using a driver’s license or other ID issued to another person.
4. It shall be unlawful for anyone to aid or abet another person in violating sections 1,2, and 3 of this code.

Lenoir-Rhyne University does not condone or condemn the responsible and legal use of alcoholic beverages. The decision to drink or not to drink is a personal one, but must be made within the context of federal and state law, and University policy. Intoxication and intoxicated conduct are never acceptable behaviors; such cases will be dealt with through the campus judicial system. The University commits itself to educate students on the dangers of alcohol use & abuse and to assist them in making responsible decisions about alcohol. Programs and events focused on alcohol education are examples of the University’s educational efforts. Lenoir-Rhyne also recognizes the value of treatment and support programs for alcoholism and other addictions.

Lenoir-Rhyne has developed a specific set of guidelines and rules to express the University’s policy and philosophy regarding alcohol.

1. The possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited on Lenoir-Rhyne University property except in accordance with the provisions set forth below.
2. Behavior and the consequences of said behavior are the responsibility of the individual student. Intoxication, intoxicated conduct and resulting behaviors are subject to the disciplinary processes and sanctions outlined below. Such behavior may also be subject to the legal processes of civil and criminal law.
3. The display of alcohol in public areas is prohibited. Students over 21 years of age and possessing alcohol for their own personal use and consumption may transport that alcohol through public areas only in a closed container in a bag, or a cooler.

Note: For purpose of this policy, the term "public area" shall refer to any University building, room, external area, or property other than the interior boundaries of the student’s private residence room. The interior boundaries of the residential houses of organizations, meaning on-campus organizational houses where access and privileges are limited to members of that organization, shall not be considered to be common or public areas of the campus for the purposes of the alcohol policy. Members of these organizations may meet in these areas at the discretion of the organization. Legal personal possession and consumption of alcohol in these areas including externalities such as decks or porches shall not be prohibited. When deemed necessary, security officers may ask organizational officers to clear the porches and/or decks

The consumption or display of alcoholic beverages in public areas is prohibited except at a registered event involving alcohol.

4. The possession or use of kegs and alcohol paraphernalia (bongs, funnels, etc.) on campus is prohibited. All bulk quantity common source containers are prohibited.
5. Advertisement regarding alcohol and alcohol-related events and activities must adhere to the following guidelines:

*University publications will not accept advertisements promoting alcohol use or events at which alcohol will be present.

*Fliers, posters, and advertisements regarding events at which alcohol will be present are prohibited.

*Invitations to events at which alcohol will be served must be addressed to specific individuals and placed in campus mailboxes. Mass Distribution of non-specific invitations by any means is prohibited.

6. Students must follow all laws relating to the purchase, possession, and consumption of alcohol.
7. No student shall permit, tolerate, encourage or participate in "drinking games".
8. All provisions of the Lenoir-Rhyne Student Alcohol Policy are enforced year round, including all breaks and summer sessions.
9. LRU students are responsible for the conduct of their guests, including alcohol violations. LRU students and student organizations incur judicial sanctions as a result of guest violations.
10. Abusive drinking will not be tolerated. Abusive drinking is defined as:

• Use of alcohol, which leads to medical consequences such as passing out, blackouts (loss of memory), gastritis (vomiting, retching), physical injuries, or other medical problems.
• Use of alcohol in association with inappropriate behavior such as:

1. verbal abuse
2. physical abuse
3. failure to comply with a college official
4. property damage
5. any behavior that violates the LRU Student Code of Conduct and/or Student Honor Commitment
6. recurring episodes of intoxication
7. A single episode of intoxication in which the Dean of Students believes that the level of intoxication posed a risk to the student’s health or well being.

In addition to the provisions listed above, the following provisions apply to alcohol use in the residence facilities.

1. Morgan Hall and Isenhour Hall are designated as alcohol-free residence areas. No alcohol is permitted under any circumstances in these halls.
2. Students who are at least 21 years old may possess alcoholic beverages for their own use in their residence hall room, but public display of excessive amounts of alcohol containers is prohibited.
3. Students who are at least 21 years old may consume alcoholic beverages in their residence room and the residence room of other 21-year-olds, except for any provisions noted above.
4. Students who are at least 21 years old, who are members of an organization with a residential house may consume alcohol within the confines of their residential house and deck/porch.

Any student organization wishing to hold an event where alcohol is present (a party) must adhere to the following guidelines.

1. Each group must send at least one representative from its executive cabinet to an Alcohol Education Workshop sponsored each semester by the Office of Student Affairs
2. A party is defined as a group of eight or more people when alcohol is present.
3. Open parties, meaning those with unrestricted access by non-members of that organization, shall be prohibited. Parties will be by invitation only to a pre-determined number of guests. The invitation list may not be larger than 150 names and must be filed in the Dean of Students office with the party permit 48 hours in advance of the event. A Campus Activity Board (CAB) activity open to the entire student body would be the only exception to this category. Such an event would require prior approval by the Dean of Students.
4. Each group must complete and submit a Party Permit to the Dean of Students at least 48 hours prior to the planned event. Blank Party Permits are available in the Dean of Students office.
5. Food must be served at all events involving alcohol. Avoid salty foods and focus on foods high in protein (e.g. pizza, cheese, hot dogs, etc.).
6. Non-alcoholic, closed container beverages must be available at all times during the event.
7. The event will be limited to four hours. Events may go until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. A Thursday night event may go until midnight. Events involving alcohol are prohibited Sunday through Wednesday.
8. Kegs and other bulk quantity common source containers are prohibited.
9. Students who live in residential houses may register their house and attached deck/porch for an alcohol event. Alcohol is not allowed on the grounds surrounding residential houses.
10. Students who live in residence halls may register various approved locations on-campus for alcohol events. Alcohol events will not be approved in residence halls. A list of approved locations is available in the Dean of Students office.
11. Binge drinking is defined as 5 or more drinks.
12. A legal-age student who transports alcohol anywhere outside of an area where legal consumption has been approved must cover the closed container in a bag, or a cooler.
13. Advertisement (including party invitations) for events involving alcohol sponsored by student organizations must conform to the guidelines listed in the General Provisions.
14. All fraternities and sororities must abide by the provisions laid out in the FIPG’s Risk Management Policy.
15. Failure of a campus group to exhibit responsible behavior, abide by the conditions established by this policy, or provide adequate security for members and invited guests may result in the group’s loss of privileges for one full year from that date or for the remainder of the current school year plus the entire next year. National organizations will be notified in the case of fraternity and sorority violations.

Lenoir-Rhyne takes very seriously the possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages as well as violations of policy and law. The University campus is not a sanctuary that relieves students of their responsibilities as citizens to abide by local, state and federal laws, nor college regulations, policies and procedures.

Please see p.45, "Judicial Response to Student Violations." Additional sanctions may include: parental notification, minimum fine of $50.00, referral for alcohol assessment, community service, organization and execution of an alcohol program, counseling, notification of national organization, and referral to civil or criminal authorities.