Alcohol Policies

For more information, please review the official policy on the College of Charleston website at
https://charleston.edu/policy/index.php 

PURPOSE 

This policy is intended to accomplish the following:
  1. To promote a healthy and safe learning environment.
  2. To demonstrate the commitment of the College to the provision of:
    • Education and prevention services designed to help prevent illegal and/or improper use of alcohol.
    • Early intervention and referral services related to the illegal and/or improper use of alcohol.
  3. To encourage and facilitate the use of treatment and support services by those students who seek or are in need of assistance.
  4. To define expectations for student behavior with respect to the illegal and/or improper use of alcohol.
  5. To identify appropriate disciplinary procedures for those students who engage in illegal and/or improper alcohol-related behaviors.

RESIDENCE LIFE AND HOUSING

Approximately 85 percent of our residence hall population is not of legal age to purchase or drink alcoholic beverages. Accordingly, the following restrictions apply: a limited amount of beer and wine is allowed in residence halls and houses for students over 21. Where allowed, beer and wine must be in the private possession and control of the owner. All persons consuming alcohol must be of legal drinking age and are responsible for their behavior and actions. NO KEGS, LIQUOR OR CAFFEINATED ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES are allowed in the residence hall system at any time.

Residential students are strongly encouraged to know the pertinent rules and procedures as listed on the Department of Residence Life's website.

ALCOHOL-RELATED VIOLATIONS

(possession, use, public intoxication, possession of multiple empty alcohol containers, etc.). The College of Charleston will impose on students the following sanctions and other sanctions for proven violations of its alcohol policies.

Responses from incidents that originate within the Residence Halls, On Campus or Off Campus.

FIRST VIOLATION

(Resolution by Residence Life and Housing staff/Student Affairs official)

Sanctions may include, but are not limited to:

  1. Receive a probation period or be placed on residence life probation for a set amount of time if a residential student and incident occurs within the residential system;
  2. Have a parental/guardian notification letter sent concerning the violation;
  3. Participate in an alcohol risk reduction program and/or assessment at Counseling and Substance Abuse Services. Fees will be charged and/or educational activities.

Failure to complete first offense sanctions will result in a fine ($150.00 or more) and other sanctions.

SECOND VIOLATION

(Resolution by official/Conduct Body)

Sanctions may include, but are not limited to:

  1. Be placed on probation, residence life probation or deferred disciplinary suspension (one more violation and student is suspended from enrollment) and possibly moved within or removed from residence life housing for a minimum of one semester, depending on the specific circumstances; If a student is removed from residence life housing for disciplinary reasons full payment of the contract is due if a residential student and incident occurs within the residential system;
  2. Have a parental/guardian notification letter sent concerning the violation;
  3. Participate in an alcohol risk reduction program and/or assessment at Counseling and Substance Abuse Services or through an off-campus provider. Fees will be charged.

    Failure to complete second offense sanctions will result in a fine ($200.00 or more) and other sanctions unless student is on deferred suspension.

THIRD VIOLATION

(Resolution by Student Affairs official/Conduct Body)

Sanctions may include, but are not limited to:

  1. Be removed from residence life housing with full payment of the contract due if a residential student and incident occurs within the residential system;
  2. Be placed on disciplinary suspension from the College for a minimum of one semester;
  3. Have re-admission to the College dependent on successful completion of a pre-approved substance abuse counseling program; and
  4. Have a parental/guardian notification letter sent concerning the violation.

NOISE VIOLATIONS AND OTHER RELATED DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIORS

Responses for Off-Campus Incidences

  1. FIRST VIOLATION
     (Resolution by Student Affairs official)
    Sanctions may include, but are not limited to:
    • Receiving a warning or probationary period; and
    • Educational and restorative activity.

  2. SECOND VIOLATION
    (Resolution by Student Affairs official/Conduct Body)
    Sanctions may include, but are not limited to:
    • Be placed on probation or deferred disciplinary suspension for a minimum of one semester;
    • Have a parental/guardian notification letter sent concerning the violation if appropriate;
    • Educational and restorative activity;
    • Denial of on-campus housing and other privileges; and
    • Complete a pre-approved substance abuse/risk reduction program or assessment at Counseling
      and Substance Abuse Services or an off-campus provider. Fees will be charged.

    Failure to complete second offense sanctions will result in a fine ($200 or more) and other sanctions unless student is on deferred suspension.

  3. THIRD VIOLATION
    (Resolution by Student Affairs official/Conduct Body)
    Sanctions may include, but are not limited to:
    • Be placed on disciplinary suspension from the College for a minimum of one semester;
    • Have re-admission to the College dependent on successful completion of a pre-approved substance abuse counseling program; and
    • Have a parental/guardian notification letter sent concerning the violation if appropriate.

SOUTH CAROLINA SCHOLARSHIPS - HOPE, LIFE, PALMETTO - AND VIOLATIONS OF STATE ALCOHOL AND DRUG LAWS

Students who have been adjudicated delinquent or have been convicted or plead guilty or nolo contendere to any South Carolina alcohol or other drug-related misdemeanor offense more than once are ineligible for the scholarship for one academic year after the adjudication, conviction, or plea occurred.The student will lose eligibility the next academic year immediately following conviction and will lose the scholarship for the fall and spring terms.