Susquehanna University Alcohol Policy

The university, by this policy, assumes no culpability for the behavior of any individual student with respect to his or her use or non-use of alcoholic beverages or for the results or consequences of his or her conduct and hereby disclaims such responsibility. In accordance with the intentions of the Higher Education Amendments of 1998, Susquehanna University reserves the right to inform the parents or legal guardians of students under 21 who have violated laws on the use or possession of alcohol or drugs. The university does not monitor off-campus activities with respect to the use, etc. of alcoholic beverages by students.

1. Persons who are 21 years of age or older may possess, for their own use, and/or consume alcoholic beverages only in the privacy of their own rooms or the privacy of a residence hall room of other 21 year olds. All persons assigned to live in a residence hall room must be 21 years of age or older for the room to contain alcohol. Alcohol may not be stored or consued in common areas of residence halls. (Student Organizations may host “Bring Your Own Beverage” (BYOB) events following the guidelines in part 4 of Additional Campus Policies.)
2. In accordance with federal, state and local law, supplying alcohol to persons under the age of 21 is a violation of university policy.
3. Excessive amounts of alcohol are prohibited (i.e. kegs, beer balls, other large common sources), as are activities or drinking games that encourage rapid consumption of alcohol. Drinking paraphernalia will be confiscated and disposed of if found as part of a documented incident.
4. Any student who appears at a university function or on campus in an intoxicated condition or who creates a disturbance by reason of excessive drinking on or off campus (e.g., behavior which disturbs others or causes embarrassment, personal injury or property damage) or who attempts to force or induce another person to drink against his or her expressed desire or breaches or attempts to breach or induce a breach of the Laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or the ordinances of the Borough of Selinsgrove in regard to alcoholic beverages, will be subject to university disciplinary action.
5. Beverages containing grain alcohol are not permitted on campus.
6. In accordance with university policy, student activities allocations may not be used for the purchase of alcoholic beverages.
7. Summary of Federal, State and Local Law
   1. Pennsylvania law provides that any person less than 21 years of age who attempts to purchase, purchases, possesses, knowingly or intentionally transports, or consumes or transports any liquor, malt or brewed beverages within Pennsylvania is subject to a fine of not less than $300 and will lose his or her driver's license for a minimum of 90 days. In addition, any person 21 years of age or older who intentionally or knowingly sells or gives any alcoholic beverages to any person under 21 years of age commits a misdemeanor of the third degree. Such persons are subject to a fine of not less than $1,000 for the first violation and a fine of $2,500 for each subsequent violation, and may also face imprisonment. It is unlawful to purchase alcoholic beverages from other than a state store or licensed source; misrepresent one's age to obtain alcoholic beverages; and transport liquor that was not purchased according to Pennsylvania Law. Section 491 of the Liquor Code states in part,
   2. “It shall be unlawful for any person, by himself or by an employee or agent, to expose or keep for sale, or directly or indirectly, or upon pretense or upon any device, to sell or offer to sell any liquor within this Commonwealth, except in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the regulations of the Liquor Control Board.”
   3. If alcoholic beverages are furnished in conjunction with any other service or product for which a fee is paid, a sale of liquor or beer has taken place. If an unlicensed sale is made, whether direct or indirect as described above, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board officers, or any other police officers, may arrest the seller(s) and, in addition to confiscating the alcoholic beverages, may also seize any vehicle or equipment used in the illegal activity. This restriction applies regardless of the age of the buyer and/or the seller. By ordinance, Selinsgrove Borough forbids a minor to have in his or her possession or under his or her control any malt or brewed beverage, liquor, wine or any other alcoholic beverages. Persons who do so are subject to fine or imprisonment. Under the existing law of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, organizations and/or individuals who furnish intoxicants to persons under 21 years of age can be held civilly liable for any property damages, bodily injury or death caused by the intoxication of such underage persons. In addition, a licensed organization furnishing intoxicants to a visibly intoxicated person and/or any person under 21 years of age can be civilly liable for any property damages, bodily injuries or death caused by the intoxication of such person. The university, however, under the aforesaid existing law, assumes no such civil liability.

For the most accurate and up-to-date information on federal, state, and local laws, please see the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board or the Pennsylvania Crimes Code.

Alcohol Abuse and Health

The mental and physical health problems associated with abuse of alcoholic beverages are well documented. Accidents related to abusive drinking are one of the major causes of death of young adults. Fifty percent of all fatal automobile accidents are alcohol related. Even a single night of abusive drinking can cause severe health problems. Chronic abusive drinking can result in liver disease, heart disease, ulcers, diseases of the nervous system, changes in blood chemistry and many other medical problems too numerous to list. Abusive drinking interferes with the body's use of many nutrients, vitamins and other necessary medications. Perhaps the most harmful potential effect of abuse is chemical dependency, estimated to affect 10 percent of the population. The “skid row” type of alcoholic represents only 3 to 5 percent of the alcoholic population. The rest are employed, have homes and families and struggle to maintain a “normal” life. Each person afflicted with an active form of this disease also negatively affects family members and all persons who care about them. The university encourages you to seek help if you suspect that drinking is harming you or a person close to you.