The purpose of this policy is to promote and educate about the lawful and responsible use of alcohol by students, and to educate about illegal drugs in order to maintain an environment that is consistent with the educational focus of Georgia Tech.

Georgia Tech will comply with all federal, state, and local laws and policies, including the policies of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, on the abuse of alcohol and other drugs by its students. The legal drinking age in the State of Georgia is 21.

Each member of the Georgia Tech community should be involved in the implementation of and compliance with this Policy. Unless otherwise stated by law, each individual retains responsibility for his or her actions at all times regardless of his or her mental state, even if altered by alcoholic beverages or other drugs.

Campus organizations may develop and enforce additional group/individual standards which are more restrictive than those established in this Policy.

STANDARDS OF CONDUCT AND SANCTIONS

In accordance with federal and state laws and because of the potential detriment to the health and well-being of its students, all students are prohibited from engaging in the unlawful use, possession, manufacture, distribution, dispensation, and sale of alcoholic beverages, controlled substances (including marijuana), and other dangerous drugs.

A. Alcohol

The sale, distribution, and consumption of alcoholic beverages in or on all Georgia Tech owned or leased (by) property or on sidewalks/streets are specifically prohibited, with the exception of those designated annually by the Office of the President. An official list of designated locations is available in the Vice President for Student Affairs Offices and on the Student Affairs website. This does not prohibit the lawful use of alcohol in residences.

Individual possession and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages is acceptable, provided individuals DO NOT:

a) Possess or consume alcoholic beverages if under 21 years of age.

b) Furnish, or cause to be furnished, any alcoholic beverages to persons under 21 years of age.

c) Conspicuously display open containers of alcoholic beverages in any public location, including, but not limited to, grounds, sidewalks, and streets within campus boundaries (with the exception of the grounds, but not the public sidewalks and streets, or privately owned or leased property).

d) Sell alcoholic beverages.

e) Misrepresent one's age or identity in any manner for the purpose of obtaining or possessing any alcoholic beverage.

f) Serve or make available alcohol to obviously intoxicated persons.

Alcoholic beverages may be served and/or consumed by individuals over 21 at events and activities that are advertised, promoted, sponsored, or supervised by a recognized Georgia Tech organization, providing the organization shall:

a) Be responsible for enforcing the entire Student Policy on Alcohol and Illegal Drugs.

b) Have an acknowledgment of the "Policy on Student Alcohol and Illegal Drug Use" form on file in the Student Organizations Resource Center, Student Services Building, room 141. Acknowledgment of the Policy on Student Alcohol and Illegal Drugs Forms are available in the Student Organizations Resource Center. This must be signed with every changeover of officers.

c) Ensure that alcohol is not the focal point, the reason for, or the drawing card for an event.

d) Submit, and have approved, a completed Alcohol Event Planning Form to Student Affairs before the event. Alcohol Event Planning Forms are available in the Student Organizations Resource Center.

e) Not advertise the service or availability of alcoholic beverages at functions.

f) Ensure that alcoholic beverages are not consumed by any individual under the legal drinking age of 21.

g) Provide non-alcoholic beverages and food in reasonable quantity, in the same general area, and for the same time period, as the alcoholic beverages are accessible.

h) Control access to the alcoholic beverages through either a central point of distribution by a designated server or by another method such as wristbands and sober monitors. Control is for the purpose of restricting use by those under 21 and/or who are obviously intoxicated.

i) Not use organizational funds to purchase alcohol. Any moneys used to pay for alcoholic beverages must be taken from personal/private sources by a properly licensed third party vendor. Alcoholic beverages may not be paid for by the student organization selling them at the activity or by charging an admission fee either in advance or at the door (as stated in the Georgia Code of Law, 1981 Section 3-3-21).

j) Not use kegs, Champagne/punch fountains, or other common usage containers (such as punch bowls or frozen drink machines) for alcoholic beverages.

k) In the absence of a third-party vendor, designate or hire a TIPS (Training Intervention Procedures for Servers) trained server to monitor the service and consumption of alcohol. It is unlawful to serve or make available alcohol to obviously intoxicated persons (as stated in the Georgia Code of Law, Section 3-3-22).

l) Require a Student Affairs recognized adviser, who must not be a minor, to be aware of functions of student organizations where alcohol is served or made available. Advisers are encouraged to attend such functions.

Promotional activities regarding alcohol are as follows:

a. The posted advertisement of alcoholic beverages on campus is not permitted. Campus publications are encouraged to minimize/eliminate all advertisement of alcoholic beverages.

b. No promotion or advertising on campus of incentive drinking ("happy hours," 2-for-1 specials," unlimited quantities of alcohol available at reduced prices or free, events focusing on the consumption of alcohol, etc.) is allowed.

c. Student groups and organizations may not seek or accept sponsorship or support from companies/vendors whose main focus of business is the manufacture, distribution, or sale of alcohol products.

Participants in Study Abroad programs are bound by the legal drinking age of the respective countries in which they are traveling and in all other respects this policy applies.

Sanctions for Violation of Standards:

Students who violate this policy will be subject to disciplinary action and penalties in accordance with the Georgia Tech Student Conduct Code as published in the General Catalogue.

Attempts to circumvent the provisions in this Policy in any way is an infraction of this Policy.

B. Possession and/or Use of Illegal Drugs

Georgia Tech does not permit or condone the illegal possession and/or use of controlled substances. Controlled substances means any drug, substance, or immediate precursor included in the definition of controlled substance in the Official Code of Georgia Section 16-13-21 (4) or Schedule I through V of Section 202 of the Federal Controlled Substance Act [21 United States Code 812]. Dangerous drug is used as defined in the Official Code of Georgia Section 16-13-71.

Sanctions for Violation of Standards:

Any student who violates this Policy or any federal or state law or policy regarding the manufacture, distribution, sale, possession, or use of controlled substances or other dangerous drugs shall be subject to disciplinary actions and penalties in accordance with the Georgia Tech Student Conduct Code published in the General Catalogue.

Additionally, in accordance with Georgia law, any student convicted of a felony that involves the manufacture, distribution, sale, possession, or use of controlled substances or other illegal drug, or student organizations involved in these activities will be subject to specific penalties required by state law.

Further information regarding the effects of drug abuse and penalties for manufacture, distribution, sale, possession, or use of controlled substances or other illegal drugs is available in the Counseling Center, Student Health Center/Wellness Center and the Dean of Students Office.

Participants in Study Abroad programs are bound by the policies of the Georgia Institute of Technology regarding the possession and/or use of illegal drugs.

 

Drug and Alcohol Counseling, Treatment, and Rehabilitation Programs

Students with alcohol- or drug-related problems may be referred to or seek assistance from the Division of Student Affairs. The Division of Student Affairs provides trained professional and paraprofessional counselors in the Counseling Center for drug and alcohol abuse prevention, education, and counseling.

Policy Review

This policy shall be reviewed annually by a Task Force which includes student representation and is appointed by the Dean of Students or their designee, to determine its effectiveness, to ensure that policies are enforced and the disciplinary sanctions are consistently applied, to evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation of the educational component of the policy, and to recommend and implement changes as appropriate.

Policy Distribution

The Dean of Students, or their designee, shall oversee the annual distribution of this Policy to every Georgia Tech student. Additional copies of the Policy on Student Alcohol and Illegal Drugs may be obtained from the Dean of Students Office.

* This information cannot be duplicated and/or modified without written permission from the Office of Student Integrity.

Office of Student Integrity, Office of the Dean of Students, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2007.