ARTICLE VII. POLICIES AND PROHIBITED CONDUCT

Alcohol Policy

Buena Vista University supports the laws of the State of Iowa and of all states in which it operates and the expressed intent of any policy pertaining to the use of alcohol at the BVU Storm Lake campus and BVU Graduate and Professional Studies locations is to be consistent with all relevant local, state and federal laws and regulations. Employees, students and visitors to Buena Vista University will be required to obey the laws and regulations of the University, understanding that these laws and regulations are made with respect for the common good.

This policy applies to the Buena Vista University Storm Lake campus, BVU Professional Online Studies, and events and activities sponsored or sanctioned by Buena Vista University. Any and all questions of definition and/or classification regarding adherence to the Drug and Alcohol Policy will be determined by the Office for Student Affairs.

All alcohol consumed outside a student room must be served by the University food service under their license. Such authorization shall result from negotiations between the food service vendor and the president of the University, or his/her designee. Open containers of alcohol provided by the University food service must be kept in the space in which the alcohol is served. Alcoholic beverages may not be served or consumed in any public space on property, unless authorized by the president of the University, or his/her designee.

Students of legal drinking age, who choose to consume alcohol, are expected to behave in a mature and responsible manner. Any student whose inappropriate behavior (as defined by the Code of Conduct) on the Buena Vista University Storm Lake campus, or on property used by the University, is perceived to be directly related to alcohol consumption may be disciplined for said behavior and, in addition, may be subject to the sanctions for violations of this Alcohol Policy as well.

Measures or activities designed to circumvent the intent of this policy or the laws and regulations of the State of Iowa, or, for University-sanctioned activities outside of the State of Iowa, the relevant state or local laws and regulations, will not be tolerated. This policy is not intended to be, and is not, a comprehensive statement of applicable laws. This rule prohibits, but is not limited to, the following.

a. Possession of alcoholic beverage containers by anyone under the age of 21.

b. Misrepresentation of age or identity for the purpose of obtaining alcohol or consuming alcohol.

c. Possessing or consuming alcoholic beverages while under the age of 21.

d. Providing alcoholic beverages to persons under the age of twenty-one (21).

e. Possessing and/or consuming from a common source of alcohol (kegs, punch bowls).

f. Intoxication: defined as behaviors which exhibit impairment due to consumption of alcohol or other drugs.

g. Participating in or being in the presence of activities (e.g. drinking games including but not limited to beer pong, water pong, flip cup, kings cup, spades, quarters) that promote and encourage the consumption of alcohol regardless of the age of the participants.

h. Possession of open containers of alcohol anywhere on campus with the exception of within a legal-aged student’s private on-campus residence or at a specific University – sponsored event. An open container is defined as any can or bottle where the seal has been broken or any secondary container that contains alcohol (whether covered or not).

i. Possession of open containers of alcohol in the residence hall hallways, lounges, study rooms or other common areas (laundry room, bicycle storage area, etc.

j. Possession of any alcohol available in a can (i.e. beer) in its bottled form, unless served by the University food service vendor.

k. Possession of alcohol in containers larger than a gallon provided by non-licensed vendor.

l. Possession of alcohol in excess of one 30 pack of beer (or an equivalent amount of liquor) per legal aged student is prohibited and will be confiscated.

m. Possession of liquor in excess of 100 proof or possession of beer/malt beverages in excess of 9% alcohol by volume on campus or in any University owned or operated facility or property.

n. Possessing or consuming, regardless of a person’s age, caffeinated alcoholic drinks (including but not limited to Four Loko, Sparks, Joose, Spykes, 27/7, 3Sum, Tilt, and Torque)

o. Punch party: defined as any activity that includes the possession, distribution or consumption of uncontrolled mixtures of alcoholic beverages.

p. Possession, consumption, and/or distribution of alcoholic beverages during ACES performances or lectures.

q. Solicitation (for example, advertising) of alcoholic beverages or their consumption, including any items placed in campus mail, campus email, mailboxes, or sidewalk chalk. Note: Advertisements on any official campus radio station (e.g., KBVU), on any official campus television station (e.g., University Cable Network), or in any official campus newspaper (e.g., The Tack) are not covered by this provision. Any solicitations or other materials received via U.S. Mail from outside vendors are not covered by this provision.

Sanctions for Alcohol Policy Violations

The Student’s conduct history and previous record are taken into account when determining the right educational plan for that student. The following represents likely sanctions and conditions students will receive as a result of violating the University alcohol policy.

· First Violation

• Disciplinary probation for 6 months
• $75 Educational fee
• Attendance at an alcohol education class
• Parental notification
• Second Violation (while on probation)
• Disciplinary probation for 1 year
• $125 Educational fee: combination assessment and educational fee
• Campus service restitution: 20 hours
• Possible revocation of residential student privileges (weekend suspension or visitation restrictions)
• Possible removal from University housing
• Parental notification and meeting
• Third Violation (while on probation)
• Suspension from the University for a minimum of 1 semester and/or reduction in institutional scholarship
• Parental notification and meeting
• Successful completion of off campus substance abuse treatment program 

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