Alcohol Policy
Free, confidential counseling for alcohol and other drug abuse issues is available to students through the Counseling
Center and Student Health Services (Health Center). Other referral resources may include assessment, individual
counseling, educational programs, materials, referral, and case management through community agencies, all of
which might include a fee. Students exhibiting signs of excessive alcohol consumption will, at the College official’s
discretion, be transported via Emergency Medical Services (EMS) for medical attention or be observed by a Poet
Monitor (see the Poet Monitor Program) at the student’s expense in order to ensure the student’s health and safety.
Failure to comply with the request of EMS or the Poet Monitor may result in disciplinary action.
A. Any violation of California State Laws regarding alcohol. These prohibit:
1. The possession, purchase, or consumption of any alcoholic beverage (including beer and wine) by
any person under the age of 21.
2. Providing alcohol for anyone under the age of 21.
3. Selling, either directly or indirectly, any alcoholic beverage (including beer and wine), except
under the authority of a California Alcoholic Beverage Control Board license. This includes the
sale of glasses, mixes, ice, or tickets for admission.
4. Serving alcohol to an intoxicated person.
5. Serving alcohol to someone to the point of intoxication.
6. The manufacture, use, or provision of a false state identification card, driver’s license, or
certificate of birth or baptism.
7. Misrepresenting or misstating one’s age or using altered identification for the purpose of procuring
alcoholic beverages.
8. Being drunk/intoxicated and disorderly in public view.
9. Consumption of alcoholic beverages in a public place (unless licensed for consumption of alcohol
on premises) such as academic facilities, recreation fields, College housing corridors, and lounges.
10. Driving a motor vehicle or a bicycle while under the influence of alcohol.
11. Possessing an alcoholic beverage in an open container in a motor vehicle or on a bicycle,
regardless of who is driving or whether one is intoxicated.
B. Violation of the following residence hall policies regarding alcohol:
1. Students and their guests who are 21 years of age or older are permitted to drink alcoholic
beverages in the privacy of their residence hall rooms with the door closed. Guests under the age
of 21 are not permitted at such gatherings. However, residents of the room under the age of 21
may be present, but are not permitted to drink alcohol. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in
community areas of residence halls, including hallways, lounges, lobbies, kitchens, and recreation
areas.
2. Social gatherings are permitted. However, only the assigned number of students, plus two guests,
may occupy a residence hall room at one time. Progressive drinking parties are prohibited.
3. Residential housing exists to provide a community environment which fosters a substance-free
and healthy lifestyle. As the housing designated for first-year students, Stauffer and Johnson Halls
are substance-free. There is a high level of accountability from residents within the living area. In
accordance with this choice, those who reside in or visit the designated residence halls are
expected to:
a. Abstain from the possession or use of alcohol, tobacco or drugs in the designated living areas,
both public and private, regardless of the age of the student.
b. Refrain from returning to the designated living area in an intoxicated state that may be
disruptive to the community.
4. Kegs and other bulk dispensing devices are not permitted in the residence halls.
5. Devices designed for rapid consumption of alcohol (e.g. beer bongs or funnels) are prohibited.
C. Violation of the following guidelines regarding alcohol at student-sponsored social events:
1. Whittier College wishes to encourage the thoughtful planning of thematic events, parties, and
dances where alcohol is used in a responsible manner, and where students who choose not to
drink can feel welcome and participate fully.
2.
3.
4.
5.
The availability of alcohol must not be the prime focus of any event. Organizations and
individuals are expected to take affirmative steps to address issues of liability and safety.
Substance-free events and those with a caterer or third party vendor help limit an organization’s
and individual’s exposure to risk. More detailed guidelines for party planning are available in the
Leadership Experience and Programs Office.
a. The College reserves the right to deny entry to any event by individuals deemed intoxicated or
under the influence.
b. Individuals may be asked to leave an event if they are drunk or disorderly.
c. If under 21 and if determined an individual has consumed alcohol, the individual may not be
allowed to attend a college sponsored event.
Students deemed intoxicated will be transported to Campus Safety for a recovery period.
Whittier College personnel can ask a disruptive guest to leave an event and/or campus.
The Club and The Spot will serve as the only venue for service of beer or wine for studentsponsored functions. No alcohol may be served or made available at student-sponsored events in
any other facility on campus. Alcohol service at student sponsored events off-campus will be
approved on an individual basis by the Director of Student Activities.
Responsibilities of organizations and individuals who sponsor events on or off campus include:
a. Arranging for security personnel or professional staff to check identification of those who
wish to consume alcohol at the event.
b. Not directly or indirectly selling alcoholic beverages (this includes charges or donations for
such things as glasses, mixes, ice, and admission).
c. Not serving minors.
d. Not serving individuals who appear to be intoxicated.
e. Maintaining absolute control of all alcohol present.
f. Prohibiting shots, drinking games, or other activities that encourage inappropriate drinking
behaviors at the event.
g. Providing inviting non-alcoholic beverages throughout the duration of the event.
h. Providing substantial food items for the duration of the event.
i. Ending alcohol service a minimum of one hour before the scheduled end of the event.
j. Assigning of non-drinking and sober members to monitor and regulate the event.
k. Insuring that advertisements, announcements, and other publicity do not directly or indirectly
advertise the availability of alcohol.
l. Arranging for security personnel to provide crowd control at the event. The LEAP Office
must approve the number of security personnel hired to work the event.
m. Providing wristbands for use by those over the age of 21 who wish to consume alcohol at the
event.
n. Utilizing cups for beer or wine service that are up to ten ounces each and can be easily
distinguished from cups used for alcohol-free beverages.
Alcohol and Drug Sanction Matrix
ALCOHOL VIOLATIONS
First Violation
Second Violation
Third Violation
1) Decision Making Workshop
and $100 fee to cover cost of
workshop
2) 1-2 Page Decision Making
Seminar Reflection Paper
3) Parent/Legal Guardian
Notification
4) Probation (equivalent to one
semester)
5) Educational Experience
6) Restitution
7) Apology Letter
8) Counseling (student choice)
9) Housing probation
10) Others sanctions as deemed
appropriate
1) Think about It (Alcohol
Version – Judicial Sanctions
Version and $50 fee to cover
cost of program
2) 30-50 Service Hours
3) Censure (equivalent to 1
semester)
4) Parent/Legal Guardian
Notification
5) Removal From Res. Halls
6) Administrative relocation in Res.
Halls
7) Housing probation
8) Counseling (student choice)
9) Other sanctions as deemed
appropriate
1) 3-Session Alcohol & Drug
Assessment and $250 fee to
cover cost of assessment
OR
2) Referral to Student Conduct
Board
 Suspension
 Expulsion
 Other Sanctions
3) Legal Guardian Notification
4) Censure ( min 1 calendar
year)
5) Removal from Housing
6) $500.00 Fine
7) Min. 50 Service Hours
8) Withdrawal from participation
in campus organizations or
activities
DRUG VIOLATIONS
First Violation
1) Decision Making Workshop &
$100 fee to cover cost of
workshop
2) 1-2 Page Decision Making
Seminar Reflection Paper
3) Marijuana 101
4) 15-30 Service Hours
5) Parent/Legal Guardian
Notification
6) Probation (Equivalent to one
semester)
7) Educational Research such as
Paper/Poster Board Presentation
8) Restitution
9) Apology Letter
10) Counseling (student choice)
11) Housing probation
12) Other sanctions as deemed
appropriate
Second Violation
Third Violation
1) Student Conduct Board
1) 3-Session Alcohol & Drug
 Suspension from housing
Assessment By
 Mandatory drug testing
Intercommunity Counseling
Center
 Drug treatment
 Expulsion
2) $250 Fee to cover cost of
 Parent/Legal Guardian
assessment
Notification
3) 1-2 Page Alcohol & Drug
 Censure ( min 1 calendar
Assessment Reflection Paper
year)
4) 30-50 Service Hours
 Removal from Housing
5) Censure (1 calendar year)
 $500.00 Fine
6) Parent/Legal Guardian
 Min. 50 Service Hours
Notification
 Withdrawal from
7) Removal From Res. Halls
participation in campus
8) Administrative Relocation
organizations or activities
9) Housing probation
10) Counseling (student choice)
11) Others sanctions as deemed
appropriate
*Items in bold are required minimum sanctions
**Conduct Officer had the option to assign any combination of sanctions depending on the F-A-C (FrequencyAttitude-Circumstances)
In the case sanctions are not completed by the assigned deadline, incomplete sanctions will be converted into a fine
and applied to the student’s account. Below is the table we used to convert incomplete disciplinary sanctions into
fines. Fines are capped at $500.
If the violation involves a medical transport,at the discretion of the Conduct Office, the student will be required to
complete either:
 A 3-session Alcohol & Drug Assessment by the Intercommunity Counseling Center ($250) or
 A full psychological and chemical dependency test and evaluation from Advances and Breakthroughs in
Mental Health treatment facility ($500).
Failure to Complete Disciplinary Sanctions
Students are expected to comply with conduct sanctions within the time frame specified by the conduct officer or
body. Failure to follow through on conduct sanctions by the date specified may result in additional sanctions and/or
suspension from the College. Ultimately, incomplete sanctions are converted into fines and added to a student’s
account. Please see the Incomplete Sanctions Conversion Rate chart within the College’s Alcohol Policy.
Incomplete Sanctions Conversion Rate
INCOMPLETE DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS
SANCTION/FINE CONVERSION RATE
Think About It
$25
$50 Think About It Fee
$75
Alcohol and Drug Assessment
$50
$250 Alcohol and Drug Assessment Fee
$250
Service Hours
# of service hours multiplied by $10
Decision Making Seminar
$25
$100 Decision Making Seminar Fee
$125
Fines/Restitution/Etc.
Fine amount plus $50
Other/Educational Sanction
$50
Drinking Privileges Program
Background
The Drinking Privileges Program is a unique and comprehensive alcohol education program that utilizes social
norming techniques, peer accountability, enhanced policy enforcement, and community partnerships.
Behavioral and Learning Outcomes:
 Students will be able to define responsible drinking in the language of the 0-1-2-4 program and accurately
state the College’s policies regarding the consumption of alcohol.
 Increase student involvement and responsibility to model appropriate and legal alcohol consumption.
 Observe a reduction in the number of alcohol transports, as well as students required to participate in the
Poet Monitor Program.
 Reduce the number of alcohol violations involving 21 year olds and under-age students.
 Reduce the number of alcohol-related incidents on campus and within the Whittier (city) community.
 Develop safer drinking environments (on- and off-campus) for students.
 Create a program that partners with local businesses to develop a communal sense of responsibility and
accountability to curb irresponsible as well as underage drinking.
 Provide opportunities to normalize “adult” consumption by creating opportunities for students to interact
with faculty and staff in the presence of alcohol, thereby demystifying perceptions.
In order to EARN the PRIVILEGE to consume alcohol on campus, 21 year olds will be required to:
 Complete Think About It (Alcohol Version)
 Students will then receive the “Responsible Drinking Study Guide” and then meet with a staff member to
complete the “Responsible Drinking Exam.”
Once complete, a Drinking Privileges Sticker will be placed on the student’s own ID card thus officially allowing
them to consume alcohol (appropriately) on campus. Since the College is granting the “privilege” to drink on
campus, the privilege may also be lost due to violating College policy, or delayed based on disciplinary history.
Discipline System & New Policies
In addition to shifting the culture from the “right” to drink on campus to a privilege, the College must also address
the reality that most student drinking occurs off-campus. The Social Host policy seeks to inform students on their
legal responsibility for hosting off campus parties, as well as make it clear that they will be held accountable for any
disruptive activities that occur if their event is found to be the proximate cause. The Off-Campus Disruption policy
affirms and reinforces the College’s theme of the 4 Cs, particularly connections and community, as we attempt to
equip students to be active and responsible citizens. It also reminds students of the reality that they are a part of a
community (Whittier College) within a larger community (City of Whittier). Anyone who is medically transported
to a hospital for alcohol or drugs must complete an alcohol and drug assessment or face interim suspension until it is
completed.
Alternative Programming Grant
The programming grant is designed to challenge the perception that fun is associated with alcohol consumption by
providing students with the opportunity to arrange an alcohol free event. Examples of events that could be funded
are movie and pizza night, root beer nights, mocktails, game nights, etc. Grants will generally be capped at $100 and
based largely on the number of attended and potential value added. This program will also be offered as an
alternative disciplinary sanction.
Community Partnerships
As a community within a larger community, this aspect of the program seeks to move from the blame game that
often occurs when things “go wrong.” Instead, it attempts to leverage the multiple interests from community
members and students to help the College reach the ultimate goal: more responsible drinking. Community partners
include: bars/restaurants, liquor stores, landlords, and the Whittier Police Department. Benefits based, the Drinking
Privileges Program provide tangible perks and benefits to every participant.