Alcohol and Other Drugs

Other Policy-Related Information

The following links elaborate on the Honor and Student Conduct Codes and related practices of the student disciplinary process. Failure to adhere to University policies may result in disciplinary action.

Alcohol and Other Drugs

The University of Lynchburg does not condone the illegal or otherwise irresponsible use of alcohol and other drugs. It is the responsibility of every member of the University community to know the risks associated with substance use and abuse. This responsibility obligates students and employees to know relevant University policies and federal, state, and local laws, as well as to conduct themselves in accordance with these policies and laws.

Alcohol Regulations

University of Lynchburg policies concerning alcohol are established to:

• Promote healthy lifestyles for students
• Promote a high-quality environment in University housing, student activities, and other facets of student life
• Support academic achievement
• Provide education, health and counseling services, and referral for additional services as needed
• Provide a reasonable degree of freedom of choice concerning the use or non-use of alcohol within the limits imposed by the educational responsibilities of the University and requirements of the law
• Address misuse of alcohol

Of primary concern is the impact of alcohol on the climate and quality of life in the University community and on the well-being of individuals. Persons age 21 or older who choose to consume alcohol are expected to drink in moderation. To help students make informed, responsible choices, educational materials and presentations are provided. Persons presenting conditions such as drunkenness, incoherence, or loss of consciousness are referred for educational services and/or medical assessment. Additionally, these and other behaviors related to substance use or abuse may be addressed through appropriate disciplinary outcomes.

The University of Lynchburg Student Conduct Code includes policies restricting the use of alcohol and other alcohol-related behaviors. Persons under age 21 are prohibited from possessing or using alcoholic beverages. Those 21 and older are permitted the privilege of possessing and using alcoholic beverages in moderation in specifically designated places or at specifically designated functions as indicated:

1. The possession or use of alcoholic beverages is permitted only by persons who are 21 years of age or older AND only as follows:

1. In a student campus residential room with the door closed AND:

1. No one under age 21 is present while alcohol is consumed

1. (Exception: A student age 21 or older may consume alcohol in the student’s assigned residential room if the only underage person present is also an assigned resident of the room.); AND

2. One or both of the room’s assigned residents are age 21 or older; AND
3. The room is not in a residential area designated to be alcohol-free.

2. Inside University houses, townhouses, and apartments in accordance with the terms of the residential agreement and other guidelines established by the Office of Residential Experience.
3. In other residential locations on occasions and in accordance with guidelines established by the Office of Residential Experience.
4. Beer and wine in licensed locations on special occasions for the time, place, and area defined in a banquet license (e.g., licensed Student Activities Board events in Memorial Ballroom or on the Pavilion).

2. Alcoholic beverages may not be possessed or consumed by anyone, regardless of age, in the following residential locations:

1. Any individual residential room and in the entirety of any University house, townhouse, or apartment where all assigned residents are under age 21
2. Montgomery Hall, Tate Hall, and any other residential facility designated as alcohol-free
3. Indoor common areas, including lounges, stairwells, and hallways
4. Outdoor areas around residential facilities, including porches, yards, sidewalks, parking lots, and streets

Office of Residential Experience and Campus Safety and Security staff members may ask to see the contents of backpacks, bags, or other packages suspected to contain alcohol.

3. Other prohibited conduct regarding alcohol includes:

1. Possession or consumption of alcohol by an individual under age 21
2. Serving, selling, or otherwise providing or making available alcohol to a person under 21 years of age
3. Distribution of alcohol without an ABC license
4. Collection of money for any purpose where alcohol is present without an ABC license
5. Driving under the influence of alcohol
6. Use of alcohol that impairs thought, behavior, and/or coordination
7. Presence of a student under age 21 in a campus residential room where alcohol is possessed or used by other individuals under age 21
8. Possession or use of a keg, community container, or other quantity of alcohol surpassing that reasonable for private, personal use at an unlicensed place, event, or campus residence
9. Possession of an open container of alcoholic beverage by a person of any age in a lounge, corridor, stairway, or other common area of a residence hall, except on designated occasions
10. Possession of an open container of alcoholic beverage on campus outside restricted areas
11. Possession or use of alcoholic beverages at indoor or outdoor athletic facilities or events, except when such facilities are used for licensed social events
12. Use, possession, sale, serving, or otherwise making available alcoholic beverages at any membership recruitment function
13. Violation of ABC regulations
14. Possession or use of false identification for acquisition of alcohol

4. Alcoholic beverages are permitted to be distributed on campus only in licensed areas as follows:

1. Specifically designated locations as defined in a banquet license (e.g., wine or beer in Memorial Ballroom and West Room)
2. Any request for an alcohol license other than through the standard Dining Services procedure must go to the president’s Leadership Team for approval.

5. Any event, other than small group socializing in a private room, at which alcoholic beverages are permitted, distributed, or served must be conducted within the following guidelines:

1. Events held in University housing must be registered with and approved by the Office of Residential Experience. Events held in nonresidential campus buildings must be registered with and approved by the Office of Campus Engagement and/or the Vice President for University Experience and Student Success (or designee). Events held outdoors must be approved by the president’s Leadership Team.
2. A permit shall be obtained from the local regional ABC office.
3. There must be a nonalcoholic theme for the event.
4. Individuals sponsoring and conducting the event must implement precautionary measures to ensure that alcoholic beverages are not accessible or served to persons under age 21 or to persons who appear to be intoxicated.
5. Direct access to and consumption of alcoholic beverages is permitted only within the approved area designated for the event.
6. Nonalcoholic beverages must be available at the same places as alcoholic beverages and featured as prominently as alcoholic beverages.
7. A reasonable portion of the budget for the event shall be designated for purchase of food items.
8. No social event may include any form of “drinking contest” in its activities or promotion.
9. Advertisements for any University event where alcoholic beverages are served must note the availability of nonalcoholic beverages as prominently as alcoholic beverages. Alcohol may not be used as an inducement to participate in a campus event.
10. Promotional materials, including advertisements for any University event, must not make reference to the amount of alcoholic beverages available, such as the number of beer kegs.
11. As appropriate to the size and nature of the event, University-approved security personnel must be present at all times.
12. The sponsoring group or host must be concerned about the condition and safety of those leaving the event and shall implement such techniques as cessation of serving alcohol long enough before the end of the event to aid in the assessment of the condition of guests.

6. Promotion of alcohol use on campus is prohibited.

1. Use of advertising and/or promotional materials that promote the use of alcohol is prohibited.
2. Alcohol-related containers, packaging, and paraphernalia may not be collected or displayed in any residential space in a manner deemed to promote alcohol use or abuse.
3. For anyone under age 21, possession of empty alcoholic beverage containers or alcohol packaging is prohibited in all residential facilities. Regardless of one’s age, possession of empty alcoholic beverage containers or alcohol packaging is prohibited in Montgomery Hall and Tate Hall.

---

Drug Regulations

The University of Lynchburg prohibits possession, use, manufacture, cultivation, and distribution of any controlled substance prohibited by federal, state, and/or local laws. (Note: cannabis is illegal under federal law. Synthetic cannabis [e.g., “Spice,” “K2”] and “bath salts” are prohibited by Virginia law.) The University of Lynchburg also prohibits possession and use of a prescription drug for which one does not have a valid prescription, as well as illegal distribution of a prescription drug. Distribution of a drug may include but is not limited to selling, giving, sharing, and trading drugs. Residue of a prohibited drug is considered evidence of possession and/or use of that drug.

The University of Lynchburg prohibits possession or use of drug paraphernalia. Items considered to be drug paraphernalia include, but are not limited to, glass smoking pipes, bongs, hookahs, cannabis “bowls,” and spoofs, regardless of how such items are actually used.

The University of Lynchburg prohibits driving under the influence of a drug that impairs driving.

Violation of drug regulations may result in criminal prosecution by city, state, and/or federal law enforcement agencies, in addition to University disciplinary action. The University of Lynchburg may notify law enforcement officers of illegal drugs and paraphernalia confiscated on campus and cooperates with the authorities in apprehending and prosecuting alleged violations of drug laws.

Cannabis/THC

To protect the health and safety of the campus community, and to uphold the University’s educational mission, the University of Lynchburg prohibits possession, use, manufacture, cultivation, and distribution of cannabis/THC, regardless of form, intended method of consumption, and purpose (e.g., medicinal or recreational).

Although Virginia laws permit some cannabis-related conduct for individuals age 21 or older, cannabis is illegal under federal law as a Schedule I controlled substance. The federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989 require that, as a condition of receiving funds or any other form of financial assistance under any federal program, an institution of higher education must prohibit the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees on its property and as part of any of its activities. Therefore, the University of Lynchburg’s drug regulations safeguard opportunities for students to benefit from federal financial assistance.