The Boston College Student Guide is produced by the Office of the Dean for Student Development. The following information is a copy of the Boston College policies pertaining to alcohol and drug use. Click here to view the complete Student Guide.
Alcohol and Drug Use and Abuse
Source: Office of the Dean for Student Development, Office of the General Counsel, and Office of Residential Life
Boston College students are expected to comply with local, state, and federal laws relating to the use of drugs and alcohol. The University will not tolerate conduct that disrupts the campus or the academic or residential environment. The University values its relationship with the adjoining cities of Boston and Newton and recognizes the right of its neighbors to be secure from abusive conduct caused by illegal use of drugs and alcohol on campus.
With this in mind, Boston College has established a clear, concise policy related to the illegal use of alcohol and drugs. The use, possession, sale, or distribution of any controlled substance; the use, sale, possession, or distribution of alcohol by anyone under the age of 21; and the unauthorized possession of any central alcohol source (kegs, beerballs, punch bowls, trash cans, etc.) by students on the Boston College campus or in the course of University activities are prohibited.
Boston College has also established clear and specific sanctions that result from violations of the policy. The sanctions, ranging from warnings and substance abuse awareness programs for minor offenses to dismissal and/or referral to civil authorities for major and/or multiple offenses, are applied consistently and fairly. The University recognizes that while the sanctioning process is educational in nature, students must understand that they will be held accountable for their actions in both the college setting and the external world.
In some instances, education must defer to community standards and community safety. In cases of a serious nature or in instances of multiple recidivism, it sometimes is necessary to impose sanctions that extend beyond the educational realm. In those situations, Boston College is committed, when necessary, to imposing stern and swift sanctions up to and including dismissal from the University and referral of the matter to the local authorities for prosecution as necessary. The Boston College community will not tolerate violations of this nature and will not shield its students from just and appropriate consequences for their illegal actions.
The University unequivocally prohibits the illegal possession and/or professionally unsupervised use of all prescription drugs, hallucinogenic drugs, Rohypnol ("roofies"), and controlled substances, including marijuana, by any member of its community. It is an especially serious offense to sell, provide, share, or distribute drugs illegally. State law also prohibits the sale of drug paraphernalia (pipes, roach clips, etc.), and the items are subject to confiscation on campus. Selling or distributing drugs will result in suspension or dismissal from the University.
Information regarding the University's alcohol and drug abuse prevention program is published in the Drug-Free Campus and Workplace Program. The document, distributed each year to all members of the University community as a component of the Boston College Important Notices and Disclosures mailing, is available from the Office of the Financial Vice President and Treasurer. In addition, the following related policies may be referenced in the Boston College Policies and Procedures Manual at www.bc.edu/policy: Drug-Free Workplace, 1-300-020; Drug-Free Schools and Campuses, 1-300-025; and Use of Alcohol at Boston College, 1-300-050.
ALCOHOL REGULATIONS
The majority of offenses against people and property committed at Boston College are a direct result of alcohol use and abuse. Such behavior is unacceptable to the student population and the community at large.
Massachusetts state law, applicable to all BC students regardless of home state or country, makes it illegal for anyone under age 21 to purchase, arrange to have purchased, transport, possess, consume, or carry alcoholic beverages. Regardless of age, the unlawful use of alcohol, drunk and disorderly conduct (including assault and battery and property damage), and violation of any regulations listed below are considered serious offenses and will result in judicial action and possible suspension from Housing and/or the University.
Anyone under the legal age transporting, possessing, or consuming alcohol is subject to judicial action. Regardless of age, anyone drinking or possessing an open container of alcohol in a public or common area (the Dustbowl or Campus Green, outdoors, lounges, hallways) or participating in drinking games is also subject to judicial action. Open containers of alcohol are prohibited on the streets of Boston and Newton and could result in arrests and court action.
Under Massachusetts state law, it is illegal to transport alcohol in excess of the following quantities:
- 9 cases of beer
- 3 gallons of any other alcoholic beverage
Transporting quantities in excess of the legal limits will be subject to confiscation as well as University judicial action and/or arrest.
Tailgate parties are limited to the designated areas adjacent to Alumni Stadium, must include appropriate amounts of food in relationship to drink, and must be kept "litter free" by participants. Kegs and beerballs are prohibited at tailgates and are subject to confiscation. Alcohol is prohibited inside Alumni Stadium and Conte Forum, and violation may result in expulsion from the facility and/or judicial action.
All Flynn Fund parking lots open three hours prior to kickoff with the exception of games that begin at 12 p.m. For these games, parking lots open two hours (10 a.m.) prior to kickoff. 2007-2008 Football Schedule
STUDENT SOCIAL FUNCTIONS INVOLVING ALCOHOL
Any student social function involving alcohol that is held outside of the residence hall system and is sponsored by Boston College or utilizes Boston College funds, whether occurring on or off campus, must be approved in advance by the Office of the Dean for Student Development. The function must be sponsored by a registered student organization, with the officials of the group acting as the sponsors. The sponsors are strictly responsible and accountable for adherence to University regulations and state laws and have certain assigned responsibilities. University regulations include the policy, Use of Alcohol at Boston College, 1-300-050, in the Boston College Policies and Procedures Manual at www.bc.edu/policy. In addition, the following regulations must be adhered to whether the event is on or off campus:
- The sponsor is responsible for assuring compliance with all University policies.
- When a liquor license is required for an on-campus event from the City of Boston or the City of Newton, six to eight weeks time should be allotted to obtain the license.
- Any off-campus facility utilized for an event at which alcohol is to be served must have a valid Massachusetts liquor license.
- Boston College absolutely prohibits any postering and/or leafletting promoting local liquor establishments for any reason.
- The sponsor must be in attendance at the event until such time as the alcoholic beverages are no longer available.
- The sponsors of an event at which alcohol is served must be of legal drinking age.
- Events at which alcohol is served are limited to those students who are 21 years of age or older. Exceptions to this policy, which may provide for alternative means of identification or for separate serving/consuming facilities for underage students, must be approved by the Office of the Dean for Student Development and the Director of Dining Services.
- Off-campus facility staff must assume the responsibility of checking for two forms of ID and for serving the alcohol.
- Students are not to be allowed to enter the event if they are intoxicated or attempt to bring in their own alcohol.
- Food and non-alcoholic beverages must be available at events where alcohol is provided.
- The bar may serve alcoholic beverages for no more than three hours and must close at least one hour prior to the end of the event.
- Only one drink per person may be served at a time.
- No "shots," doubles, or drinks with more than two liquors are to be served.
- Open bars generally are not permitted at student events on or off campus. (Exceptions to this policy may be approved, in advance, by the Office of the Dean for Student Development and/or the Director of Dining Services.)
RESIDENCE AREAS
No one under the legal age may possess or consume alcohol. All drinking games are strictly prohibited. Participation in such games, regardless of age, will result in judicial action. All "central sources" of alcohol (kegs, beerballs, punch bowls, trash cans, etc., which are subject to confiscation), are strictly prohibited. In addition, the possession of any items or devices used for "drinking games" (e.g., "Beirut tables," funnels, etc.) is prohibited and will be subject to confiscation and possible sanction. No empty containers of alcohol are permitted in the residence areas of students who are under the age of 21. Students of legal drinking age may have small quantities of alcohol (as determined by the hearing official) for personal consumption only. Possession of large amounts and/or providing alcohol to minors is prohibited. Social gatherings at which alcohol is served are strictly prohibited unless registered in advance in accordance with the guidelines promulgated by the Office of Residential Life. It is the host's responsibility to assure that a guest is of legal drinking age.
In the Modular housing units (Mods) during football games, Marathon Monday, Senior Week, or any other special event, any student under the age of 21 found in possession of, and/or under the influence of alcohol, will lose the ability to live in the Mods during their senior year. In addition, students attempting to gain access to the Mods (e.g., climbing the fence) will lose the ability to live in the Mods their senior year.
Violation of alcohol rules and regulations (illegal use or misuse) will be handled through the judicial system and will result in sanctions that may include fines, mandatory participation in alcohol education classes, community work projects, probations, and/or Housing or University Suspension or Dismissal.
ID Card Fraud/Misrepresentation
It is considered fraud and misrepresentation to alter, deface, or falsify IDs or in any way obtain or conspire to obtain fake identification for the purpose of presenting oneself as age 21 or older. Conspiring to obtain, possession, and/or use of such items may result in arrest and criminal actions being taken off campus under state law and will be addressed through the University's judicial system. Manufacturing fraudulent IDs (including attempting to manufacture or assisting in the manufacture or distribution of such IDs) is an extraordinarily serious offense and will result in suspension or dismissal from the University as well as possible criminal prosecution.
Off-campus Disturbances
As members of both the Boston College and the neighborhood communities, students who reside in off-campus apartments have a responsibility to demonstrate respect and concern for all members of the local community. As a result, Boston College imposes an obligation upon all its students to demonstrate responsible citizenship in the local neighborhood. Excessive or unreasonable noise, the illegal use and/or sale or distribution of alcohol or drugs, objects being thrown out of apartment windows, excessively large parties, and/or rude and abusive language or behavior are not in concert with the obligation. Numerous off-campus arrests have occurred for such offenses as false IDs, disorderly conduct, illegal sale or possession of alcohol, and public drinking. Therefore, the University reserves the right to refer any students identified as being involved in this type of behavior to the University's Student Judicial System for disciplinary action. If found responsible, students are subject to sanctions up to and including loss of University Housing privileges or suspension or dismissal from the University.
Off-campus Misconduct
Whether or not alleged misconduct constitutes a violation of criminal law, students may be sanctioned by the Student Judicial System for violations of the University Code of Student Conduct occurring on or off the Boston College campus. Accordingly, persons who are not members of the Boston College community may initiate a complaint with the Office of the Dean for Student Development.