Dorm alcohol rules different since raid last year

By Heather You
The Collegian

Nearly a year ago, University Courtyard residence hall Baker was locked down and the residents were subjected to random alcohol and drug searches. This lockdown took place after one of the major fraternity parties on campus. University Courtyard security and Campus Police surprised the resident advisers with the search.

“We were unaware that the searches were going to happen,” resident adviser Nick Montgomery said.

“University Courtyard was acting really suspicious about a week before they were to happen, like they were keeping a secret from us.”

Baker was the only hall that was searched.

All of its the doors into the hall were locked except for one. All entering residents were stopped and checked, and if they showed signs of having consumed alcohol or of having used drugs, depending on the severity, they were either cited or warned.

Those residents who were cited received a Notice of Contact. An NOC is given to any resident who violates one of University Courtyard’s policies. For repeated violations, a resident is required to meet with a resident adviser or any member of the Residence Life Staff. If the violation continues, the resident meets with the Judicial Coordinator of University Courtyard and risks termination of his or her contract.

“University Courtyard should have checked more halls and more frequently,” former resident adviser Denine Psizer said. “However, the check was effective for that night.”

While the drug policy has remained the same, the alcohol policy has changed somewhat since the random checks last year, but it has not become stricter.

In fact, the policy loosened.

Last year, there were several “alcohol-free” halls. In these halls, alcohol was forbidden regardless of age. This year, if a resident is 21 years of age or older, they are allowed to keep and consume alcohol in their rooms, only if the door is closed and a minor is not present. This resulted from a conflict with a California law that states the consumption and possession of alcoholic beverages by individuals under 21 years of age is not permitted. University Courtyard enforces the law that furnishing a minor with alcohol is illegal.

“Overall, this policy is better. We know which of our residents are 21 and can prevent underage residents from sneaking in alcohol,” Montgomery said.

Residents who enter the hall drunk are treated on a case-by-case basis. It is up to the resident adviser to judge the situation and take appropriate action. They are not required to write up all intoxicated residents, unless they are causing a major disturbance.

“The residents are watched more closely than they think. We submit incident reports to University Courtyard to let them know what’s going on in the halls,” Montgomery said.

In addition to the alcohol policy, residents are not allowed to display empty alcohol bottles or put up posters with alcohol-related content in plain view.

“The policies are for health and safety reasons. We want our residents to feel secure,” Montgomery said.

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