Alcohol and Drug Policy

The Shenandoah community believes that individual responsibility is extremely important in social choices. The administration encourages a policy on alcoholic beverages that provides sanctions for abuses but places major responsibility on the student for reasonable decision making. Efforts are directed to promoting healthier lifestyles and providing campus support through educational programs, awareness activities, support groups and a network for referral.

The regulations and practices governing the use of alcoholic beverages apply to all Shenandoah University students and their guests. The primary responsibility for knowing and abiding by the provisions of the alcoholic beverage policy rests with each individual. The Shenandoah community will maintain the highest standards of personal conduct for its student body, faculty, and staff in dealing with abuses of the privileges granted in this policy.

All actions consistent with the law and individual privacy rights will be taken to eliminate the illegal use, manufacture, or distribution of drugs or other controlled substances on the Shenandoah campus. Shenandoah will deal firmly and fairly with individuals found in violation of Virginia statutes and federal laws pertaining to such substances.

Shenandoah believes that the illegal use or abuse of mood altering substances inhibits the healthy growth of the individual and is a direct threat not only to the individual involved but also to the safety and well being of the entire community.

Enforcement Practices:

The use of alcoholic beverages on campus shall be in compliance with federal, Commonwealth and local laws. By law, violators of these and all laws concerning drug and alcohol use are subject to attest. Members of the Shenandoah community are responsible for knowing the laws governing their actions. Penalties determined by the courts for these violations include suspension of driver's license, fines and imprisonment. The following regulations apply to the legal use of alcoholic beverages on campus by individuals and for approved social events:

A. Alcohol Regulations for Individuals in the Commonwealth of Virginia:

The Commonwealth of Virginia prohibits the purchase, possession, or consumption of all alcoholic beverages by persons under the age of 21. This is a class 1 misdemeanor in which anyone found in violation would pay a fine of between $500 and $2500 and/or perform a minimum of 50 hours of community work. The person's driver's license may be suspended for up to a year and he/she may be confined in jail for not more than 1 year.
It is a violation of state and federal law to purchase alcoholic beverages for, or to serve alcoholic beverages to a person under the age of 21. This is also a class 1 misdemeanor. See potential punishments in #1.
Intoxication and /or damage to public or private property are against the laws of the Commonwealth and the regulations of Shenandoah. Intoxication is defined as a blood alcohol content of .1% or more and/or offensive, disruptive, destructive, hazardous, and/or vulgar conduct during or following the consumption of alcohol.
It is unlawful to present false identification in order to purchase or consume alcohol and to give or permit to sell alcohol to persons under 21. Possible penalties include a $1,000 fine and/or 12 months in jail.
State of Virginia law prohibits the consumption of alcoholic beverages in unlicensed public places. One possible penalty is a fine of $100.
Virginia statutes prohibit public drunkenness and provide for the transporting of public inebriates to detoxification centers. Purchasing or possessing alcoholic beverages while intoxicated can result in a fine of $1,000 and/or 12 months in jail.
It is against Virginia law for anyone under the age of 21 to operate any motor vehicle after illegally consuming alcohol. Any such person with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.02 or more shall be punishable by forfeiture of the person's drivers license for a period of 6 months and a fine of up to $500.
Virginia law prohibits operation of motor vehicles while the operator has a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or more or while such a person is under the influence of any narcotic drug. Penalties for driving while intoxicated include fines, license revocation and jail sentences.

B. Drug Regulations for Individual from the State of Virginia

Under Local, State and Federal laws, it is unlawful to possess, use, manufacture, sell, give or distribute a controlled substance or an imitation controlled substance. Any person in violation with respect to a Schedule I or II controlled substance will be subject to fines and imprisonment.
It is against Virginia law to have drug paraphernalia. Drug paraphernalia is defined as all equipment, products, and materials of any kind which are either designed for use or which are intended by the person charged for use in planting, propagating, manufacturing, producing, processing, preparing, packaging, storing, concealing, injecting, inhaling, etc.

C. Regulations for Social Events:

Social events, where alcoholic beverages will be served must be approved in writing 72 hours in advance by the Vice President for Student Affairs or his/her designee and must be sponsored by recognized clubs or organizations. All such social events shall be closed to all but members of the Shenandoah community and their personally escorted guests.
Common source alcoholic beverage containers (e.g. kegs, beer balls, pony kegs, box wines and mixed alcohol punch in containers greater than 750 ml) or the amount of alcohol equivalent to a common source alcohol beverage container, whether empty or full are not permitted in any residence or any university owned or operated property without prior approval from the Student Affairs Office.
The consumption of alcoholic beverages at social functions is limited to areas specifically approved by the Vice President for Student Affairs or his/her designee.
Alternative nonalcoholic beverages must be available in sufficient quantity for those who choose not to consume alcohol. Food must also be available for the entire event.
The sponsoring organization (i.e., its members and officers) will be held responsible for violations of Shenandoah's drug and alcohol policy and thus subject to disciplinary and/or civil action.
Alcohol service must be consistent with the Virginia ABC regulations.

D. Consequences:

Shenandoah recognizes that drug or alcohol abuse may be symptomatic of a serious addiction and for this reason, the sanctions and consequences of abuse may include assessment and the opportunity for counseling as part of the disciplinary action. Failure to comply with a recommended treatment program may result in dismissal from Shenandoah. Infractions of this drug and alcohol policy will be reported to the Student Affairs Office for action.

Parent Notification

The Higher Education Amendment of 1998 (H.R.6, Sec.952) permits higher education institutions to notify parents or legal guardian when a student has committed a disciplinary violation with respect to use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance and the student is under the age of 21. When the consequences for violations of the alcohol and drug policy indicate that a student's parents will be notified, a copy of the student's disciplinary letter citing the infraction and consequences for the infraction will be sent to a student's legal home permanent address.