WFU Alcohol and Other Drug Position Statement

Wake Forest University believes in the wellbeing of the whole person – emotionally, environmentally, financially, intellectually, occupationally, physically, socially, spiritually. Alcohol and other drug misuse inhibits students’ development and is negatively correlated with academic success, personal safety, and long-term health. The vitality of the campus community relies on each individual and group taking responsibility for choices related to alcohol and other drug use. The health and well-being of the campus community and its members should not be jeopardized by issues related to alcohol and other drugs. Therefore:

The University’s Undergraduate Alcohol and Other Drug Policy applies to all Wake Forest undergraduates and their guests, as well as undergraduate student organizations. Each individual member of the Wake Forest University community is responsible for knowing and abiding by the University’s Undergraduate Alcohol and Other Drug Policy.

For faculty/staff policies, please refer to Substance Abuse Prevention Policy: http://hr.wfu.edu/files/2016/03/Substance-Abuse-Prevention.pdf

For policies pertaining to graduate and professional school students, please contact the appropriate graduate and/or professional schools.

Procedures regarding the registration, marketing, management, marketing, and closing of events and related training requirements are governed by the Event Management Procedures for Campus Social Events with Alcohol: HYPERLINK

Wake Forest University
Undergraduate Alcohol and Other Drug Policy

General Regulations

Possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages and/or other drugs is permitted only in accordance with this policy and applicable laws. Failure to comply with this policy and applicable laws could subject the individual and/or group to judicial action within the University and/or in a court of law. Legal action does not preclude University judicial action which seeks to support a campus community that introduces students into systems support care, education and well being.

The unlawful possession, use, sale, manufacture or distribution of drugs or drug paraphernalia is prohibited.

This policy outlines expectations that apply both on and off-campus.

Alcohol and Other Drug misuse is prohibited at Wake Forest and is defined as:
Use of alcohol/or other drugs that results in behaviors, physical signs, and medical consequences, including but not limited to: staggering, difficulty standing or walking, slurred speech, passing out, blackouts (loss of memory), vomiting, retching, bloodshot and/or glassy eyes, strong odor of alcohol and/or other drugs, physical injuries, or other medical problems.
Use of alcohol and/or other drugs in association with inappropriate behavior including/but not limited to as:
Verbal abuse
Physical abuse
Failure to comply with a University or other law enforcement official
Property damage
Any other behavior that violates the Student Code of Conduct of the University
A pattern of recurring episodes of alcohol and/or other drug related violations of the Student Code of Conduct.

5. Students are prohibited from assisting or encouraging underage possession, purchase, or consumption of alcohol.

6. When consumption of alcoholic beverages is permitted, such consumption is limited to beer and unfortified wine (wines that contain 16% or less alcohol by volume). Distilled alcoholic beverages are prohibited except at events held at a licensed establishment or where alcohol is served by a licensed third party vendor.

7. The sale of alcoholic beverages on campus is prohibited except for sales by University approved licensed vendors.

8. Alcohol may only be served from common source containers (e.g. kegs; party balls; alcoholic punches) when service is by University approved licensed vendors. Exceptions may be allowed pursuant to the University’s Athletics policies.

9. Drinking practices or games that promote misuse of alcohol (e.g. shotgunning, shots, consuming a minimum volume of alcohol within a set time period and chugging) are prohibited.

10. Unauthorized Containers: Secondary containers (e.g. cups) for alcohol must be transparent or translucent. Beer bongs, funnels, or any other paraphernalia which encourage or support alcohol misuse are prohibited, even for those of legal drinking age.

11. No reference to alcoholic beverages, illegal drug use or off-campus bars/taverns may appear on any poster, sign, flyer, or university organization’s or social media posting (except programming/prevention messaging from approved offices within university departments). This includes, but is not limited to, College Night, Drink Specials, BYOB or Your Favorite Beverage. Student organizations or student initiatives that involve election campaigns are also not allowed to reference alcoholic beverages or off-campus bars/taverns as part of election marketing.

Individual Regulations

Students and their guests of legal age may consume alcoholic beverages (beer and unfortified wine) in the following locations on the Reynolda campus: residential living spaces within residence halls, leased lounges, independent lounges, common spaces in apartment style living suites, Shorty’s, Zick’s, and at special event venues during registered events.

Students and their guests of legal age may consume alcohol on leased patio areas after 5:00 p.m. on weekdays and after 12:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday.

Possession of alcoholic beverages in open containers outside designated areas is prohibited.

Alcoholic beverages may not be consumed in common areas of residential facilities.

Residents and their guests are not allowed to carry primary or secondary open containers of alcohol to or from suite/floor lounges at any time. Alcohol may only be transported to approved spaces in unopened primary containers.

Students found responsible for Driving While Impaired (DWI) will incur university sanctions whether occurring on or off-campus. Sanctions imposed for this offense are cumulative with sanctions imposed for other relevant offenses. A University imposed sanction for DWI does not exempt students from external legal action.

No student under the age of 21 may purchase or attempt to purchase alcoholic beverages. No student under the age of 21 may possess or consume alcoholic beverages, or have in their possession or residence full or empty alcohol containers, beer bongs, funnels, or any other alcohol-related paraphernalia.

When participating in study/travel abroad programs, students are expected to abide by the legal drinking age and/or applicable laws in the country(ies) where they study/travel.

Social-Hosting Regulations

Student organizations hosting social functions where alcohol is consumed must abide by all University regulations and applicable laws. Such groups are responsible for managing their social functions in a manner consistent with this policy. For the purposes of this policy, this includes registered student organizations and other informal groups of students hosting social events.

2. Persons of legal drinking age may consume alcoholic beverages at social functions registered in accordance with this policy. Attendance at such functions is limited to Wake Forest University students and their invited guests.

3. Hosts will verify by check of government issued identification that individuals who consume alcoholic beverages at a social function are at least 21 years of age. Acceptable forms of identification are valid forms of:
Driver’s License
State Issued Identification
Passport
Military Identification

4. Hosts must prominently display information regarding North Carolina state law regarding alcohol use.

5. No alcohol is permitted at formal recruitment functions.

6. Groups holding social functions at any off-campus location where alcohol is available
must abide by all applicable laws and be aware that their organization represents Wake
Forest University. The group may be held accountable for its actions and the actions of
its members through the University judicial process.

7. Alcoholic beverages may not be stored/held in lounges at any time other than during an
officially registered social function.

8. Alcoholic beverages for social events sponsored by student organizations may not be
purchased with Student Activity Fee (SAF) or Student Budget Advisory Committee
(SBAC) funds. Student Government and Student Union may utilize SBAC funding to
purchase alcohol for Campus-wide events in accordance with University event planning
guidelines for undergraduate organizations.

9. All social function hosts are responsible for knowing and following the Guidelines for
Hosting Social Functions.

Administration of the Policy

The Alcohol and Other Drugs Coalition reviews the University Undergraduate Alcohol Policy and related procedures no less than on a biennial basis. The Alcohol and Other Drugs Coalition reports its findings and makes recommendations to the Vice President for Campus Life.

The implementation and enforcement of the University Undergraduate Alcohol Policy is under the direction of the Vice President for Campus Life.

Reported or suspected violations of the University Undergraduate Alcohol Policy will be addressed in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.

Definition of Terms

Alcoholic Beverage: any liquid containing at least one-half percent (0.5%) alcohol by volume, including beer, wine, liquor, or mixed drinks.
Alcohol and/Other Drug Misuse: Use of alcohol that results in behaviors, physical signs, and medical consequences, including but not limited to: staggering, difficulty standing or walking, slurred speech, passing out, blackouts (loss of memory), vomiting, retching, bloodshot and/or glassy eyes, strong odor of alcohol, physical injuries, or other medical problems.
Bar/Tavern: an establishment for the sale of beer and other drinks to be consumed on the premises, sometimes also serving food for which >50% of revenue comes from the sale of alcohol.
BYOB: a social event where individuals bring their own alcoholic beverage. If an event is designated as “BYOB,” collective purchasing of alcohol (by members or non-members of the sponsoring organizations) is prohibited.
Common Source: Common source: Kegs, coolers, and similar containers of Alcoholic Beverages intended to serve as a source of such beverages for multiple persons at a party or other gathering.
Drug: A chemical substance used in the treatment, cure, prevention, or diagnosis of disease or used to otherwise enhance physical or mental well-being; a habit-forming medicinal or illicit substance, especially a narcotic.
Drug Paraphernalia: Any item used to distribute drugs and/or ingest drugs.
Possession: transportation, ownership, or consumption of an alcoholic beverage
Primary Container: the original packaging in which an alcoholic beverage is distributed by the manufacturer.
Punch: a beverage consisting of wine or spirits mixed with fruit juice, soda,water, milk, or the like, and flavored with sugar, spices, etc.
Public Display: the public possession and/or consumption of opened alcoholic beverages in any public or unregistered area of campus.
Public Intoxication: the state of being under the influence of alcohol in the presence of others to the point of stupor, disorderly behavior, poor coordination, or sickness. Public intoxication is considered to be alcohol abuse.
Registered: any social event that has been approved and recorded by the Office of Student Engagement, or other appropriate office.
Secondary Container: any device into which an alcoholic beverage has been transferred from its primary container. Also, any cup or container used for concealment (such as a Koozie).
Student Organization: any University-recognized organization, club or otherwise formally structured student group.
Unfortified Wine: Wines that contain 16% or less alcohol by volume.