• The presence of alcohol within common areas of rooms , suites or apartments is prohibited unless all occupants are of legal drinking age . Common areas are defined as any space within a room , suite or apartment that is shared for occupants and guests who may not be of legal drinking age ;
• Students who are of legal drinking age and who share a suite or apartment with anyone under the legal drinking age , must consume alcohol within the privacy of their room and must store all alcohol within the confines of their private room .
• A gathering of students where alcohol is present and being consumed cannot consist of more than double the occupancy of that specific room , suite or apartment ( including the residents of that area ) and all guests present must possess State IDs specifying proof of age . No guest under 21 years of age is permitted at gatherings where alcohol is present .
• Social Hosting :
• The residents in whose room or suite alcohol is being consumed are responsible for the behavior of their guests and may be held accountable for any policy violations . Guests will also be held accountable for their behavior and any policy violations .
• It is the responsibility of the residents to verify the age of any person consuming an alcoholic beverage and ensure that minors do not consume and are not in the presence of alcohol .
• Residents are responsible for ensuring that of-age guests do not leave the room , suite or apartment with an open container of alcohol and that guests do not become intoxicated and / or disorderly .
• Students found responsible for violating hosting policies may be subject to disciplinary sanctions .
• A gathering of students may be terminated at any time if University officials determine the gathering a threat to the health and / or safety of the community , is a disruption to the community , or is in violation of any university policies .
Use of Alcohol at Special Events
Allowances are made for special events for those 21 or older who receive permission from the Vice President for Student Services and Dean of Students and who follow these guidelines :
• No event may include the sale of alcoholic beverages ;
• Individuals sponsoring an event must implement precautionary measures to ensure that alcoholic beverages are not accessible to or served to persons under the legal drinking age or to persons who appear intoxicated . Serving alcoholic beverages to a minor , or to a visibly intoxicated person , potentially exposes the events individual sponsors and the University to civil penalties as well as criminal penalties ;
• At social functions where alcoholic beverages are provided by the sponsoring organization , direct access should be limited to a person ( s ) designated as the server ( s );
• Consumption of alcoholic beverages is permitted only within the approved area designated for the event ;
• Nonalcoholic beverages must be available as prominently as the alcoholic beverages ;
• Reasonable portion of the budget for the event shall be designated for the purchase of food items ;
• No social event shall include any form of “ drinking contest ” in its activities or promotion ;
• Advertisements for any university event where alcoholic beverages are served shall mention the availability of non- alcoholic beverages as prominently as alcohol . Alcohol will not be used as an inducement to participate in a campus event ;
• Promotional materials including advertising for any university event shall not make reference to the amount of alcoholic beverages ( such as the number of beer kegs ) available ;
• Institutionally approved security personnel shall be present at all time during the event ;
• Alcoholic beverages may not be sold or consumed at any athletic event sponsored by the University .
Note : To request to hold an event that includes serving alcohol , the requisite application must be completed . Forms may be requested from the Vice President for Student Services and Dean of Students at stern . j @ gmercyu . edu .
Information and Health Risks Associated with Alcohol
General Information
• Alcohol is a depressant , which means it slows the function of the central nervous system .
• Alcohol affects your brain . This means it results in loss of coordination , poor judgment , slowed reflexes , distorted vision , memory lapses , and even blackouts .
• Alcohol affects your body . Since it is absorbed into the bloodstream , every organ is affected which may increase the risk of lifethreatening diseases , including cancer .
• The liver can only effectively process one ( 1 ) drink per hour .
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