Page 37 - Smith College Student Handbook 16-17

COLLECTION OF ALCOHOL FUNDS
Neither Social System money nor house budget money may be used to purchase alcohol. Money must be collected by the social chair or
designated collector from students over the age of 21; under no circumstances is money to be collected from underage students. Money
collected for a specific event must only be used for that specific event. Organizations and houses cannot use any of their SGA funds, social
dues or house dues to purchase alcohol.

SERVING MINORS AND EXCESSIVE DRINKING
When alcohol is served at parties, students take individual and collective responsibility for the service. It is important that students hosting
parties understand and are particularly mindful of college policies, federal and state laws that explain the responsibilities and liabilities that they
are undertaking.

A host cannot provide to or allow a person under 21 years of age to consume alcohol in their place of campus residence or at an event that
they are hosting. When furnishing or serving alcohol, it is the host's responsibility and liability under Social Host Liability Laws to ensure that
guests are able to safely travel home without harm to themselves or others.

COLLEGE GUIDELINES FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ALCOHOL POLICY
The Smith College policy on alcohol-related behavior stresses the concept of individual responsibility. These guidelines summarize each
student's responsibility under the law and in relation to the community in which they live.

1. All members of the college community, especially students hired or in elected leadership positions, are responsible for abiding by
college policy and federal and state laws. No member of the college community is allowed to provide, purchase or serve alcohol to
anyone who is under 21.
2. While the college does not expect students in leadership roles to act as agents of the state, it does expect them to fulfill their
responsibilities as leaders and hold individuals accountable for their actions and/or to refer them to appropriate resources
(Residence Life staff, Health Services, Campus Police, etc.).
3. The following types of concerns would warrant intervention by Residence Life Staff or other college staff members:
a. Individuals demonstrating problem drinking patterns (this includes problems leading to or resulting in the irresponsible
use of alcohol);
b. Individuals making choices and decisions that could endanger themselves or others;
c. Individuals demonstrating an inability to control their drinking behavior;
d. Individuals whose alcohol-related behavior infringes on the rights of others;
e. Houses or organizations exhibiting b through d above.
4. The individual, organization or house may be referred to the area coordinator, College Conduct Board, and/or the Office of
Student Affairs. The person intervening will discuss the implication of an individual person or an organization’s behavior with
them.

All those who have any role in the organization or conduct of such events are responsible for obtaining and adhering to the guidelines
governing alcohol use on the Smith College campus. Smith College provides services and resources to support individual needs, to assist at
crisis points and to provide accurate information related to alcohol. Current practices to help problem drinkers, such as the support of health
and counseling practitioners, alcohol awareness workshops, and the responsible action shown by members of the Smith community, point to
a concern for alcohol consumption in our community.
RESPONSIBILITY OF STUDENT GROUPS
All houses and chartered and non-chartered organizations sponsoring social events are expected to abide by state law and by published
procedures and standards. Failure to do so may result in loss of social privileges, individual disciplinary action or loss of college recognition
for the organization as determined by the College Conduct Board. Members of an organization may be personally liable for the acts of the
organization or its other members.

RESPONSIBILITY OF INDIVIDUALS
Members of the faculty and staff should be aware of the legal drinking age of 21 years of age or older and the legal burden it places upon
them. Faculty and staff are prohibited from providing, purchasing, or serving alcohol to students under the age of 21 in any setting.
Individuals who violate Massachusetts state law may face criminal prosecution.

Alcohol-related behavior that causes or can reasonably be expected to cause physical harm or harassment to persons or damage to property,
or is unreasonably disruptive, will be subject to disciplinary action by the College Conduct Board or the administration. Such behavior may
result in penalties up to and including suspension or dismissal. Inebriation shall not be seen as an acceptable or justifiable excuse for
disruptive behavior and may in itself be considered an additional offense.

Individuals who become the subject of local police action and campus police reports involving alcohol, and groups or individuals who violate
college rules because of alcohol, may be subject to disciplinary action by the College Conduct Board or the administration. Students also may
be required to meet with residence life professional staff for discussion and possible referral to campus resources such as medical services,
counseling services, a wellness educator or to the College Conduct Board.

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