Alcohol & Drug Policies

Community Policy on use of Alcohol & Controlled Substance

Alcohol and Controlled Substance Policy

Alcohol:  The Alcohol Policy reflects current rules, regulations and guidelines to be followed by Manhattanville students. Any changes to this policy will be communicated in writing by the Dean of Students and will be distributed campus-wide as an updated policy. The Drug-Free Communities and Schools Act Amendments of 1989, enacted by the federal government, requires Colleges to adopt and implement a program to prevent the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees. The primary goal of the following policy is to promote an environment in which the misuse of alcohol is not tolerated. This goal can be achieved by community-wide involvement in comprehensive and ongoing alcohol education and awareness programs.

Controlled Substances: Manhattanville College is deeply concerned about controlled substance use by all students in our community. The College regards controlled substance use as a problem that has the potential to affect the entire community. Possession, use, distribution, manufacture or sale of illegally controlled substances, or use of legally controlled substances without explicit and current prescription from one’s own medical doctor or nurse practitioner, or from Manhattanville College’s Health Center, is prohibited. The possession of drug paraphernalia is prohibited. Such items may include: rolling papers, scales, grinders, bongs, as well as any item used in conjunction with an illegal substance. Any student found selling, admitting to selling currently or in the past, or distributing any form of illegal drugs, controlled substances, or drug paraphernalia, on or off campus, may be expelled and may also face criminal liability. Distribution also includes the sharing in any way of legally controlled substances.

The College stands firm against the use of controlled substance and does not provide students with a haven from the law. Anyone found using or possessing a controlled substance is subject to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion. Law enforcement personnel may be involved at the invitation of the College. Room searches and Brownson Hall locker searches may be conducted by the College with the approval of the Director of Residence Life and Conference Services, the Dean of Students, Campus Safety, or designee.

Although New York State legislation permits the use of medical marijuana, Manhattanville College must comply with the Drug-Free Communities and Schools Act (DFSCA) (20 U.S.C.1011i; 34 C.F.R part 86) as well as the Drug Free Workplace Act which requires a drug free campus environment. Institutions of higher education such as Manhattanville must comply with the Drug-Free Communities and Schools Act regulations or risk losing federal funding such as financial aid and work study. Any student, staff or faculty member who violates Manhattanville College policy prohibiting the use and/or possession of illicit drugs (including medical marijuana) on campus may be subject to disciplinary action.

Students who are identified as having an alcohol and/or a drug problem may be required to resolve their problems with a professional counselor on or off campus. The Dean of Students, Director of Residence Life and Conference Services or designee may notify the parents or guardian of an undergraduate student’s alcohol and/or drug problem. In some cases, a student may be required to withdraw from the College and will not be permitted to return until successful resolution of the problem is documented to the satisfaction of the College.

Violation of this policy during educational activities off-campus, including but not limited to student or supervised teaching, internships, practica, and course meetings, and violations including actions that negatively impact the health and safety of minors will result in College sanctions appropriate to the situation and will not protect students from arrest or prosecution for illegal involvement with alcohol or drugs by civil authorities.

Alcohol Limits

The sale, purchase, possession, transportation, storage, and consumption of alcoholic beverages on Manhattanville College property and at off-campus Manhattanville College sponsored functions is permitted only in accordance with New York State law and only as outlined in the following sections

•   In accordance with New York State law, it is a violation for anyone under 21 years of age to purchase, possess, or consume alcohol while on College premises. This includes, but is not limited to, any public or private function sponsored by the College or any members of its three constituencies (students, faculty and staff

•   It is a violation for anyone 21 years of age or older to provide alcohol to anyone under 21 years of age on College premises, including residence halls.

•   The presence, possession or use of common source containers of alcoholic beverages (including but not limited to kegs, bear balls, other bulk containers requiring a tapping device or spigot, punch bowls, trash cans, or other containers used as punch bowls are prohibited without special written permission of the Dean of Students or their designee

•   Drinking games in any form are and possession of any paraphernalia related to such games are prohibited and will be confiscated if found.

•   Spiked punch and Jell-O shots containing alcohol, regardless of alcohol content are prohibited.

•   Public intoxication, no matter the age, is prohibited on Manhattanville college campus.

•   Pursuant to New York State law, open containers are illegal. Alcoholic beverages MUST be in a closed and concealed container and alcoholic beverage containers MUST be concealed when transported on campus grounds and in residence. There will be no open containers of alcohol or drinking of alcoholic beverages permitted in public areas. This includes hallways, bathrooms, public areas of residence halls and outside areas of the campus.

•   Alcohol is prohibited in any academic and athletic spaces on campus (e.g., classrooms, lounges in the Library or academic or athletic buildings, athletic fields, faculty and administrative offices).

•   Distribution of alcoholic beverages is generally prohibited at student organization-sponsored events, unless necessary permission is obtained (See Student Activities section (p. )).

•   Disorderly Conduct resulting from the use of alcohol is unacceptable and will be considered a serious and additional violation of the College Policy. Disorderly conduct includes, but is not limited to: abusive language, racial or sexual slurs, graffiti, fighting, destruction and removal of property. Excessive noise, overcrowding, property damage, disruption of community functions, public intoxication, persons congregating in adjacent hallways, abusive behavior toward others, and fighting shall warrant immediate action on the part of Campus Safety and/or the Director of Residence Life or designee.

•   This policy governs students representing the College at any off campus event (e.g., student representatives at conferences and athletic teams at away games).

•   Individuals will be held responsible for any activities taking place in their room. Empty alcohol containers will be considered evidence of consumption. This includes containers designed to store alcohol as decorative containers.

•   Parents/Guardians will be notified, of any student under the age of 21 years old, of any alcohol policy violations; regardless of the sanction.

•   Visitors of Manhattanville College students must abide by the rules that apply to their host. For example, if a visitor of a student is of legal drinking age, but his/her host is not, then the visitor may not consume alcohol on Manhattanville College premises. Manhattanville students are fully responsible for their visitors’ actions on campus in regard to the Code of Conduct.

Alcohol and Controlled Substances Health Risks

The illegal use of alcohol and the abuse of alcohol and controlled substances may lead to permanent health conditions including, but not limited to, disorders of the central nervous system, reproductive functioning, cardiovascular and pulmonary systems, and endocrine functioning. In addition, there may be both short-term and long-term effects on cognition, memory, retention, information processing, coordination, athletic performance, academic performance, and the exercise of judgment.

Alcohol:  Inappropriate use and abuse of alcohol is often associated with lower academic performance and failures, sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancies, vandalism, aggressive behaviors including sexual assault and rape, injuries, death, and prosecution for crimes related to the consumption of alcohol. Even small amounts of alcohol may impair the ability to concentrate, as well as the judgment and coordination required to drive a car safely thus increasing the likelihood that the driver will be involved in an accident. Small to moderate amounts of alcohol may also increase the incidence of a variety of aggressive acts, including spousal and child abuse, vandalism, physical altercations, or dating violence. Moderate to high doses of alcohol can cause marked impairments in higher mental functions, severely altering a person's ability to learn and remember information. Very high doses may result in respiratory depression and even death. When used in conjunction with other depressants of the nervous system, even a small amount of alcohol can result in these effects.

Repeated use of alcohol may lead to dependence or addiction. The sudden cessation of alcohol consumption produces withdrawal symptoms such as severe anxiety, tremors, hallucinations and convulsions, and can be life threatening. Long-term consumption of large quantities of alcohol, particularly when combined with poor nutrition, may also lead to permanent damage to vital organs such as the brain and liver.

Women who drink alcohol during pregnancy may give birth to infants with fetal alcohol syndrome. Infants with fetal alcohol syndrome have irreversible physical abnormalities and intellectual disability. Further, research shows that children of alcoholic parents are at greater risk than other children of becoming alcoholics themselves.

Controlled Substances:  All drugs, whether illegal or prescribed, alter the chemical balance of the body. The misuse of drugs may lead to addiction and even death. Drug addiction and abuse can cause serious damage to the brain, stomach, lungs, liver, kidneys, heart, and the immune and reproductive systems.

Amnesty Policy

The Amnesty protocol applies to straightforward cases of alcohol or other drug-related emergencies or sexual misconduct. The Amnesty protocol does not excuse co-occurring Student Code of Conduct infractions or other incidents related or unrelated to the medical emergency.

“The health and safety of every student at Manhattanville College is of utmost importance. The College recognizes that students who have been drinking and/or using drugs (whether such use is voluntary or involuntary) at the time that violence, including but not limited to medical emergencies, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or sexual assault occurs may be hesitant to report such incidents due to fear of potential consequences for their own conduct. The College strongly encourages students to report domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or sexual assault to College officials. A bystander acting in good faith or a reporting individual (complainant) acting in good faith that discloses any incident of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or sexual assault to Manhattanville officials or law enforcement will not be subject to Manhattanville’s Code of Conduct action for violations of alcohol and/or drug use policies occurring at or near the time of the commission of the domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or sexual assault.”

Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the College’s ability to provide amnesty in additional circumstances. Education Law, Section 6442

Amnesty Protocol – Educational Follow up

An individual who calls for emergency assistance on behalf of a person experiencing sexual violence or any alcohol or other drug-related emergency will not face formal disciplinary action by the College for the possession or use of alcohol or other drugs if they agree to participate in, and complete, the recommended educational expectations outlined by the college. The recipient of medical attention will also avoid formal disciplinary action by the College for the possession or use of alcohol or other drugs if she/he agrees to participate in, and complete, the recommended educational expectations outlined by the college. If an individual is documented or receives emergency medical assistance on more than one occasion due to excessive use of alcohol or other drugs, the situation will be evaluated so as to provide the student with additional resources and/or sanctions as needed or appropriate.

Medical Assistance/Treatment

The College recognizes that in an alcohol or other drug-related emergency, the potential for disciplinary action by the College may act as a barrier to students seeking medical assistance for themselves, other students or guests; therefore, the College has a Medical Amnesty protocol as part of our comprehensive approach to reducing the harmful consequences caused by the consumption of alcohol or other drugs.

The College’s main concern is the well-being, health, and safety of its students. Medical Amnesty represents the College’s commitment to increasing the likelihood that community members will call for medical assistance when faced with an alcohol or other drug-related emergency. Medical Amnesty also promotes education for individuals who receive emergency medical attention related to their own use of alcohol or other drugs in order to reduce the likelihood of future occurrences.