For many of us, parties, bars, and parties with alcohol were a rite of passage in college. Some college campuses even have bars on campus. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, nearly 53% of college students from 18 to 22 drank alcohol in the last month, and nearly a third of those also engaged in binge drinking. Binge drinking can lead to accidents, car crashes, sexual assaults, and DWI arrests.

Schools are aware of this alarming trend, working to eliminate irresponsible drinking and its potential liability in campus dorms, fraternities, and bars. As a result, the consequences of underage drinking on college and university campuses can be more serious these days, with many schools cracking down on illegal alcohol use among students and expressly prohibiting underage drinking in their student codes of conduct.

Underage Drinking on Campus

For example, the University of Pennsylvania has an express alcohol and drug policy. The policy prohibits:

• Possession and consumption of alcohol by people under 21 on property owned or controlled by the university,
• Intentionally providing alcohol to people under 21 and people obviously inebriated, on property controlled or owned by the school,
• Consumption of alcohol by all students and employees that impacts their academic or job performance or endangers their physical well-being,
• Possessing or distributing alcohol in a manner that violates federal or state law.

However, Penn's alcohol policy does contain a caveat for medical reasons:

No student seeking medical treatment for an alcohol or other drug-related overdose will be subject to University discipline for the sole violation of using or possessing alcohol or drugs. This policy shall extend to another student seeking help for the intoxicated student.

Many other colleges and universities also offer medical amnesty. For example, the University of Florida has a policy offering amnesty from code of conduct violations or academic sanctions for underage drinkers seeking medical treatment. The school adopted the medical amnesty policy after a UF student died from alcohol poisoning. However, the policy doesn't offer amnesty to students or campus organizations that provide alcohol to underage drinkers.

Consequences of College Disciplinary Action

If the campus police or other administrators cite you for underage drinking on campus, you can face serious consequences, including:

• Academic or social probation,
• Suspension from clubs, activities, and extracurricular activities,
• Removal from university athletic programs,
• Loss of on-campus housing,
• Loss of scholarships,
• Suspension, and
• Expulsion from school.

Hire a Skilled Education Attorney-Advisor

It's easy to dismiss underage drinking charges on campus as “no big deal.” But the consequences of disciplinary action on your record at school can be serious, affecting your prospects for graduate school and a professional career. You can even face serious academic consequences such as suspension or expulsion from campus. Because of the potentially serious consequences, you need an experienced advocate to protect your rights during the school disciplinary process.

The skilled Education Law Team at LLF Law Firm are well-seasoned at helping students and their parents nationwide navigate student disciplinary and code of conduct violations. Call the LLF Law Firm at 888-535-3686, or contact them online to set up your consultation.