Alcohol and Drug Policy

William Paterson University Policy

Alcohol and Other Drug Policy

LAST REVIEWED: 07/01/2024

I. PURPOSE
The University recognizes that students are adults and that the opportunity to assume and
exercise responsibility for their own behavior is an important aspect of their education. As
William Paterson is an institution of learning, with the goal of enrichment of an individual's
life, inappropriate use of alcohol and/or drugs is a primary concern. Therefore, the following
policy is in effect.

II. ACCOUNTABILITY
Enforcement of various aspects of this policy fall to Student Development staff and Campus
Police.

III. APPLICABILITY
All students and their guests on the William Paterson University campus, and at William
Paterson University campus-sponsored events.

IV. DEFINITION(S)
This section is intentionally left blank.

V. BACKGROUND
William Paterson University has a long-standing practice of a comprehensive environmental
approach to alcohol and other drug prevention. This policy represents the enforcement
dimensions of that approach.

VI. REFERENCE(S)
This section is intentionally left blank.

VII. POLICY
1.) Alcohol
A. Regulations
Persons under the legal drinking age shall neither consume nor be served
alcohol. N.J.S.A.2C:33-15 and 17; New Jersey State Alcohol Beverage Act,
N.J.S.A.33:1-1 et seq. The legal sanctions for violating these laws include
incarceration, fines, participation in a state-sponsored alcohol education
program, and/or postponement or loss of driver’s license.
1.  It shall be unlawful for a person under the legal drinking age to:
      a.  purchase alcohol, or
      b.  enter any premises licensed for the retail sale of alcohol for the purpose
of purchasing, or having served or delivered to them, any alcohol, or
      c.  consume any alcohol on the premises licensed for the retail sale of
alcohol, or
      d.  have another purchase for them for any alcohol.

2. It shall be unlawful for any person to:
      a. Misrepresent or misstate their age, or the age of another person, for the
purpose of including any licensee, or any employee of any licensee, to
sell, serve, or deliver any alcoholic beverage to a person under the legal
age for purchasing alcoholic beverages, or enter any premises licensed of
the retail sale of alcoholic beverages for the purpose of purchasing or to
purchase alcoholic beverages for another person who does not, because
of their age, have a right to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages.

       b. Under special considerations, students under the age of twenty-one (21)
may be permitted to participate in an entertainment program. However,
consumption of alcohol by those students is not permitted.

3. Personal consumption of alcohol for people twenty-one (21) years of age or
older is permitted in the Heritage and Pioneer halls.

4. Kegs, beer balls, and multi-quart containers of alcohol are not permitted on
campus at any time.

5. The organization of, and/or participating in drinking games involved in the
consumption of alcohol (e.g. beer pong, flip cub, the use of funnels, etc.) is
prohibited.

6. Binge drinking and/or otherwise encouraging, supporting or permitting the
rapid or excessive consumption of alcohol is prohibited.

7. Coercing or encouraging another to consume alcoholic beverages against their
will is prohibited.

8. The following locations are licensed for the serving of beer and wine at
scheduled social functions only:

      1. University Commons Ballrooms
      2. University Commons Lounge and Terrace
      3. University Commons Second Floor Conference Rooms
      4. Any other defined licensed areas (Hobart Manor, Shea Center, Cheng
Library’s Paterson Room).

The sale, service and/or consumption of alcohol in locations not listed above,
or not part of a scheduled social function with authorized alcohol service, is
strictly prohibited. Persons under the legal drinking age shall neither
consume nor be served alcohol at such events.

9. No student activities fees may be used for the purchase of alcohol. Any student
group wishing to sponsor an event either on- or off-campus where alcohol is
available must first be approved by the Associate Vice President for Student
Development or Designee.

10. Any marketing, advertising, and promotion of alcohol on campus is prohibited.
No publicity distributed or posted about special events on- or off-campus shall
indicate the availability of alcohol except to indicate legal age requirements for
admission.

11. Deliveries of alcohol to the campus may not be made by liquor stores or
distributors unless specifically authorized. All deliveries to residence halls are
prohibited.

12. Carrying or transporting open containers of alcohol is prohibited

13. Disorderly conduct resulting from the misuse of alcohol is unacceptable and
will be considered a serious violation of the Student Code of Conduct.

B. Residence Life-Specific Alcohol Policy
      1. Alcoholic beverages for private consumption by those residents and their guests
who are twenty-one (21) and over are allowed only in Pioneer and Heritage Halls.
Individuals in possession of alcohol upon entering the apartment complex must
verify their age with proper identification at the security desk.

      2. Alcoholic beverages and alcohol containers of any type (empty or full) are
prohibited in all other residence halls at all times. Empty bottle collections,
decorations, and displays are prohibited in all residence halls and apartments.
Selling, distributing, or manufacturing alcohol is also prohibited. Students who participate in or are otherwise present during activities which violate this policy
are subject to disciplinary action up to and including eviction from the halls and/or
expulsion from the University

     3. Residents who are found serving minors are subject to disciplinary action.
Alcoholic beverages are restricted to private apartments/rooms with the door
closed and are not allowed in public areas (hallways, lounges, etc.). Any students
under twenty-one (21) who are found in possession or in the presence of alcohol
are subject to disciplinary action.

      4. The organization of and/or participating in drinking games involving the
consumption of alcohol (e.g. beer pong, flip cup, the use of funnels, etc.) is
prohibited. Binge drinking and/or otherwise encouraging, supporting, or
permitting the rapid or excessive consumption of alcohol is prohibited. Coercing
or encouraging another to consume alcoholic beverages against their will is
prohibited. Disorderly conduct resulting from the misuse of alcohol is
unacceptable and will be considered a serious violation of the Student Code of
Conduct.

     5. Similar to the rest of campus, kegs, beer balls, and multi-quart containers, empty
or full, are restricted from the residence halls. Residents found in possession of the
above are subject to dismissal from the residence halls.

2) Illegal or Controlled Drugs
In accordance with Federal, State, and Local Laws, the use of illegal or controlled drugs or
other substances and misuse of prescription drugs are prohibited on the William Paterson
University campus. Controlled substances include, but are not limited to, illegal drugs,
prescription drugs, designer drugs, and other chemicals that alter the perceptions and motor
abilities of an individual. Use of over-the-counter medications not in compliance with the
directions accompanying the products is also prohibited. Legal sanctions for violating these
laws include incarceration, fines and/or postponement or loss of driver's license.
A. Smoking
1. Smoking is prohibited on William Paterson University property. Please note that this
includes the use of electronic cigarettes, vaping, and hookahs. Students who violate
this policy are subject to disciplinary action.
B. Marijuana
1. While the state of New Jersey legally permits the prescription of medical marijuana,
and the use of marijuana by individuals over the age of twenty-one (21) years old, the
use of marijuana remains prohibited on all William Paterson University property,
including off-property university-sponsored events. William Paterson University
remains in compliance with Federal Statutes, which prohibit the possession, consumption, use, or distribution of any substance classified as a “Scheduled I
Controlled Substance.”

  2. All higher education institutions that are recipients of federal funds are subject to
          compliance with the state and federal regulations, including but not limited to:
      a. Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendment of 1989, Section 812 of
          the Controlled Substances Act,
      b. Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, and
      c. Title 21:13 of the U.S.C. 821 (Food and Drugs, Chapter 13 Drug Abuse
          Prevention and Control, Subchapter I Control and Enforcement, Part D Offense and
          Penalties, Sec. 8421 Prohibited Acts A).

  3. William Paterson University places high value and respect for State and Federal
regulations, and as such will remain in compliance with such regulations by legal
enforcement, if deemed necessary. Both the Office of Student Conduct and Campus
Police serve to enforce and educate students regarding these regulations. As a result,
any student deemed in violation of the University’s Student Code of Conduct or
Federal/State regulations may be subject to disciplinary action.

3.) Discipline
     A. Infractions and violations of rules or regulations shall be adjudicated by the Office of the
     Vice President of Student Development and/or their designee and possibly as criminal
     offenses that warrant arrest. All students who are found to have violated the Alcohol and
     Other Drug Policy we'll be subject to appropriate sanctions.
     B. The following are examples of violations:
      1. The use of false identification,
      2. Drunken disorderly conduct,
      3. Consumption of alcohol in unapproved locations,
      4. Supplying alcohol to minors,
      5. Intoxication,
      6. Open containers of alcohol in non-designated areas,
      7. Driving on campus while intoxicated, and/or
      8. Distribution of material that promotes alcohol or alcohol consumption.

      C. Students abusing over-the-counter medication shall be referred to the Counseling Health &Wellness Center for evaluation and consultation as appropriate.

     D. Students found using alcohol in violation of this policy, or illegal drugs, shall be addressed
under the Student Code of Conduct. This may include referral to Counseling, Health &
Wellness for consultation, evaluation, and recommendation for further referral as appropriate.
The Alcohol and Other Drug Evaluation will include a number of sessions with the counselor
and consist of a clinical interview, self-report measures, and follow-up feedback session(s) to
provide students and the referral source with treatment recommendations. Additionally,
students may receive educational and/or restorative sanctions. In certain circumstances, punitive sanctions up to and including loss of housing privileges, or loss of enrollment may
occur.

     E. Students detailing, distributing, selling, sharing or dispensing illegal or controlled drugs and substances shall be addressed under the Student Code of Conduct.

4.) Education and Awareness
The university encourages responsible behavior through the provision of a University-approved
alcohol prevention program, designed to provide alcohol education and training, and required of all entering first-year students, and transfer students with less than 12 credits. There is also a version of this course designed primarily for use with those who have been found in violation of an alcohol related policy or offense. Intervention and treatment are also available for those who require professional, clinical treatment of alcohol and drug concerns.

By Direction of the President and Cabinet:
(Title of Executive or University Official whose area of responsibility the policy covers)

Date:____________________