Frequently Asked Questions about
Alcohol Issues and DPS
Prepared for the ACC Workshop 12/5/08
When are Princeton University students in violation of the alcohol policy?
Students are in violation of the University alcohol policy under any or all of the following circumstances:
- When they participate in an activity that encourages excessive drinking (e.g., drinking games, initiation activities, hazing).
- When the consumption of alcohol contributes to behavior that (a) intimidates or harasses others; (b) injures or threatens to injure others (e.g., driving under the influence of alcohol, assault); (c) leads to the destruction of property; or (d) infringes on the peace and privacy of others
- On campus, students are in violation of the alcohol policy (a) when carrying or possessing an open container of alcohol in or across common spaces (lounges, game rooms, courtyards, dining areas, hallways, etc.); (b) when in possession of a keg and/or tap; (c) when, under the age of 21, in possession of any container of alcohol in common spaces of the University; (d) when serving, providing, or making available alcohol to any person, regardless of his or her age, without first obtaining approval from the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students or the Office of the Dean of the Graduate School; or (e) when procuring alcohol for persons under the age of 21 or by falsifying identification.
Privacy Issues
The University respects the right to privacy, and its representatives will not enter dormitory rooms without substantive cause that University polices or regulations have been violated. However, those whose behavior infringes on the rights of others have, in essence, forfeited that privacy.
When may Public Safety officers enter my dorm room?
- Public Safety officers may enter your dorm room when they have substantive cause to investigate a possible alcohol violation. A Public Safety officer would have substantive cause if he or she sees an individual leaving a party with alcohol, hears sounds of drinking games, observes evidence of intoxicated behavior, observes alcohol containers in a room, etc.
- In the event of a noise complaint, Public Safety will go to the room and knock on the door. If no one answers, Public Safety may enter the room and instruct the residents of the room to control the noise.
What should I do if my friend gets intoxicated?
Call for help! It is the immediate obligation of those in the presence of a severely intoxicated person to contact Public Safety or other appropriate University safety personnel.
Can I get in trouble if I call for help for an intoxicated friend?
Will I get my friend in trouble if call for help for them?
No. Neither intoxication nor admission to UHS for intoxication will be grounds for disciplinary action. Contacting the Department of Public Safety for assistance in transporting a student in need of medical attention will not, in itself, lead to disciplinary action. Disciplinary action will occur only if other circumstances indicating a violation of University policy are observed. Failure to call for assistance will be considered an especially serious violation of policy.
Do I need to cooperate with Public Safety officers?
Yes. RRR states that in interactions with Public Safety, individuals are expected to comply with the requests and/or instructions of the officers. Failure to cooperate with a Public Safety officer may result in disciplinary action.
Do Public Safety officers write reports on alcohol related transports to McCosh or UMCP?
If so, who gets them?
Yes. Anytime a student is taken to McCosh or UMCP because of intoxication, the Public Safety officer will write a report. Although a copy of this report is sent to ODUS, there is NO disciplinary sanction for the intoxicated student or the person who called for help, unless another University regulation was violated.
Do Public Safety officers write reports for alcohol violations? If so, who gets them?
Yes. Whenever a Public Safety officer investigates an alcohol incident that is a violation of RRR, the officer will often issue the student a RRR citation and will write a report on the incident. A copy of the report is sent to ODUS for possible disciplinary action.
Does Public Safety share their reports of alcohol related incidents to the borough police?
No. Public Safety does not provide a copy of their alcohol related reports to the borough police or to other municipal police departments.