Drug and Alcohol Abuse

Bates continues to affirm the value of individual autonomy in making decisions about one’s life, and will continue to make education and counseling it’s chief strategies for meeting its responsibilities.

In accordance with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act, the College reaffirms standards of conduct that clearly prohibit the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees, on the College’s property or as part of any of it’s activities.


Alcoholic Beverages

Bates College observes all laws governing the use of alcoholic beverages within the State of Maine and does not condone violation of these laws by any student at any time. Students are held personally responsible for complying with all aspects of Maine laws. The prohibitions of the Maine law include, but are not limited to, the following:

  1. The sale of alcoholic beverages by any person that does not have a license to sell such beverages in full force and effect at the time of the sale;
  2. The sale of alcoholic beverages by any person to a person who has not attained the age of 21 years;
  3. Consumption or purchase of alcoholic beverages by any person who has not attained the age of 21 years;
  4. Transportation by automobile within the state of Maine of alcoholic beverages by any person who has not attained the age of 21 years;
  5. The furnishing of, procurement of, or delivery of alcoholic beverages to a person who has not attained the age of 21 years or who is intoxicated;
  6. The presentation of any written or oral evidence of age which is false, fraudulent, or not a person’s own for the purpose of ordering, purchasing, or attempting to purchase or otherwise procuring or attempting to procure intoxicating liquor by a perso n who has not attained the age of 21 years.

Maine law in this area imposes both criminal and civil liability on anyone who negligently or recklessly sells, gives, or otherwise provides alcoholic beverages to any person who has not attained the age of 21 years or to a visibly intoxicated person, where the minor or intoxicated person causes harm to another. Negligence is indicated when the server knows or a resonably prudent person in similar circumstances would know that the individual being served is a minor or is visibly intoxicated. Recklessness occurs when the server intentionally provides liquor to an individual whom he or she knows to be a minor or visibly intoxicated, and when the server consciously disregards an obvious and substantial risk that serving liquor to that person will cause physical harm to the drinker or to others.

Violations of Maine law, even within regularly scheduled and “blue-slipped” College facilities, occur at the risk of the individuals involved and are not the responsibility of the College.

Any person or group of persons selling alcoholic beverages or holding a party or social event and charging an admission fee to that party or social event, any portion of which fee will defray the expense of alcoholic beverages served at that party, is conducting an illegal sale of alcoholic beverages, unless they have been licensed by the State of Maine to conduct that sale. Such unlicensed sales of alcoholic beverages are prohibited on the Bates campus by law.

Maine law does not prohibit contributions to defray the expense of alcoholic beverages by a limited number of persons 21 years of age, provided that the group making contributions is determined before the purchase of alcoholic beverages to be served at a social event. Students are cautioned, however, that any contribution solicited and/or accepted after purchase of the alcoholic beverage served at such a party from persons who are not part of the original group may constitute a sale in violation of Maine law. The key to the legality of the Bates policy which allows parties or social events with alcoholic beverages by groups rests with the definition of the group of contributors of age prior to the purchase of the alcoholic beverage, limitation of numbers to be consistent with fire safety maximums for the area, and no collection of donations, contributions, or admission fees at the door.

All social events at which alcoholic beverages are offered must have an appropriate and conspicuously displayed nonalcoholic alternative. No social events are permitted for the sole purpose of the consumption of alcohol. The Coordinator of Student Activities (CSA) and the Director of Food Services are prepared to offer suggestions for appropriate alternative beverages and their attractive display. All announcements of social events shall reflect this policy as prescribed in the poster policy available at the CSA Office.

Nonmembers of the Bates community are not permitted at private parties or social events unless as invited guests of a member of the community.

Consumption of alcoholic beverages on campus but outside of dormitories is expressly forbidden except by permission of Student Affairs. Such permission will normally be granted at the time of blue-slipping on condition that all policies of the College are followed.

All Bates employees and students are reminded that they are under the restrictions of Maine law when they choose to entertain or have social events on or off campus and when persons under 21 years of age are present.

All social events taking place outside an individual students room must be blue-slipped in the Coordinator of Student Activities Office at which time the CSA will review College policies as they appear on the particular event.

Violations of these policies will be subject to disciplinary action, including the revocation of the privilege of using College facilities for such events and/or referral to the Committee on Student Conduct.


Drugs

The College will utilize all of its counseling resources to help students involved with drugs. The College, however, bears the major responsibility for the welfare of the student body. Therefore, possession, distribution, or the use of illegal drugs and narcotics, including amphetamines, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and LSD, renders a student liable to disciplinary action, including confiscation of materials and dismissal