Union Graduate College - Current Students

Alcohol and Drug Policy

Union Graduate College is committed to fostering an environment that promotes the acquisition of knowledge and nurtures the growth of students. In order to create the best possible environment or teaching and learning, Union Graduate College affirms its support for a responsible campus policy that addresses the inappropriate use of alcohol and other drugs.

Alcohol and other drug abuse can potentially adversely impact students on many levels in and out of the classroom and requires an on-going commitment of both attention and resources on the part of the Graduate College. There are significant psychological and physiological health risks associated with the use of illicit drugs and alcohol. Physical addiction, loss of control and withdrawal syndrome as well as serious damage to vital organs of the body can result from drug and alcohol abuse. It is an issue that involves physiological, social, psychological and legal dimensions. The following guiding principles are viewed as essential in developing an environment that supports and nurtures the academic, personal, and social development of graduate students.

Union Graduate College is committed to being in full compliance with the federal, state and local laws. The Graduate College policy prohibits unlawful possession, use or distribution of alcohol or illicit drugs by faculty, staff, or students on Graduate College property or as part of any Graduate College activity. The Graduate College’s, as well as state and federal sanctions for the unlawful possession, use, manufacture or distribution of alcohol or illicit drugs, and counseling and treatment programs available to members of the Graduate College community, are detailed in this policy.

Consistent with the federal requirement, this policy is reviewed biennially to determine its effectiveness and to implement any changes needed to ensure that the Graduate College's sanctions are consistently enforced. Each student is responsible for his/her own actions. When making decisions to consume beverage alcohol or to provide beverage alcohol to others, individuals must be mindful of the inherent consequences and risks involved. In addition, students are responsible for understanding and complying with applicable laws. Union Graduate College will not be responsible for enforcing state and local laws, nor will it shield students from the legal consequences of their actions should they violate these laws.

The following alcohol and drug policy emphasizes individual and shared responsibility, healthy and informed decision-making, maintaining a caring environment, and the promotion of genuine dialogue.

Alcohol Policy

Union Graduate College adopts the following prohibitions of New York law:

Persons over 21 who sell, give, or otherwise provide alcoholic beverages to anyone under 21 are guilty of an offense punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment.
A third party injured by an impaired or intoxicated person under age 21 has a right of legal action against any person or organization which "knowingly" caused such impairment by unlawfully furnishing or assisting in procuring alcohol for the person under 21 years of age.
In New York State one is legally intoxicated when their Blood Alcohol Content (B.A.C.) reaches .08%. One is Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI) when the B.A.C. is at or over .05% but less than.08%. In addition, the Zero Tolerance Law (for those under 21 years of age) can result in a one-year revocation of the driver's license. Any amount of drinking will affect ones judgment and coordination.
The degree of impairment depends upon four basic factors:
1. The amount one drinks
2. Eating before or during drinking, since food will slow absorption of alcohol
3. Body weight
4. The length of time spent drinking

The Graduate College's policy regarding alcohol consumption is as follows:

Students who are not of age may not possess or consume alcohol anywhere on the Graduate College and Union College campus including the graduate student apartments.
The following rules apply to those students over the age of twenty-one who elect to consume alcohol on Graduate College and Union College apartments/residence halls:
1. Open containers of alcoholic beverages are not permitted outside individual rooms or suites
2. No alcoholic beverages are permitted in common or public areas of the residences halls/apartments defined as dining areas, lounges, hallways, laundry rooms, stairwells, etc.
3. Common sources of alcohol, including but not limited to kegs, beer balls, wine boxes and punch bowls, are not permitted inside the residence halls/ apartments
4. Tap systems and "regulators" are prohibited in all Residence Halls and apartments Any student or student organization alleged to have violated this Alcohol Policy will be subject to the Student Disciplinary Code. If found in violation of this policy, disciplinary sanctions may range from written warnings, loss of privileges, probation, fines, restitution, suspension, and/or dismissal, with referral for prosecution. In addition, students will be required to attend an alcohol and substance abuse class. Repeat violators of this policy can expect an increased disciplinary sanction. Violations of this policy by persons who are not members of Union Graduate College community may result in their being barred from the Graduate College and Union College campus. Examples of penalties associated with violation of New York law are the following:
Violation 1st Violation Fine and/or Maximum Jail Time
Mandatory Action DWI (.08+) $350 - $500/1 year License 6 month revocation
DWAI (.05 - .08) $250/15 days License 90 day revocation

In New York State, the purchasers of beer kegs are required to sign a statement stating that they understand the underage drinking laws and that they will not allow consumption of the beer in violation of the law. Retailers selling kegs must maintain records of the names and addresses of the keg purchaser as well as the purchaser's driver's license number, amount of the keg container, the registration deposit, date and time of purchase, and the keg identification number. Retailers are required to maintain these records for ninety days from the return of the keg. Failure to comply with the law would be a misdemeanor.

Drug Policy
Union Graduate College strictly prohibits the possession, distribution, or the use of illegal drugs and narcotics, including but not limited to amphetamines, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD and any associated paraphernalia. The Graduate College adopts the following prohibitions of New York law:

The distribution of any type of illicit or controlled substance and most particularly, the possession of illicit drug substances with the intent to distribute can result in severe criminal prosecution which ranges in severity from a minimum of 8-25 years imprisonment up to and including a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
The gradation of sanctions for the illegal use, distribution, or possession of illegal drugs and narcotics varies greatly. The Penal Code of New York State on illicit use of drugs, controlled substances and marijuana is extensive. However, students should be aware that legal sanctions related to the illicit use, possession or distribution of drugs will be severe in nature and are determined not only by the type and amount of drugs in question, but also whether or not the individual has any record of prior convictions. Any student or student organization alleged to have violated this Alcohol Policy will be subject to the Student Disciplinary Code. Any student found in illegal possession and/or use of controlled substances will be subject to the following minimum sanctions: 1st Offense: All students are subject to one (1) year disciplinary probation and must attend a substance abuse evaluation session. Session may include urinalysis drug screening. If deemed necessary, referral to an outside agency for drug abuse treatment may be required. 2nd Offense: All students are subject to removal from the institution. Any student involved in the illegal sale of any controlled substance will be subject to suspension and/or dismissal from the College. Federal and New York State laws provide many legal sanctions for the unlawful possession or distribution of controlled substances. These sometimes include severe criminal penalties such as fines and/or imprisonment. The severity of the penalty depends upon the nature of the criminal act and the identity and amount of the illicit drug involved. An example is::
Drug Potential Sanctions: Cocaine Possession of even 500 mg. of cocaine can result in a maximum sentence of seven years in prison. LSD Possession of as little as 1 mg can result in up to 15 years in prison. Marijuana Possession of as little as 25 g. can result in a maximum of three months in jail or a $500 fine

Alcohol and Social Events
When alcohol will be available at social events, it is the responsibility of the sponsor to comply with all requirements of New York State Law and Graduate College Policy. Sponsors are required to contact the Affirmative Action Officer to review the Graduate College's policies and procedures which they will follow.

At social events with alcohol all of the following must occur:

The officer of the organization sponsoring the event must be present at all times while alcohol is available and/or served and must ensure that no one under the age of 21 possesses or consumes alcohol;
A system of checking the age of guests must be used before alcohol is served;
Everyone attending an event where alcohol is served must carry valid identification that verifies their date of birth. Graduate College students must also carry Graduate College identification;
Guests must not have direct access to alcohol; servers must be used
Hard liquor is prohibited at all events. The type of alcohol permitted is limited to wine and beer.
Irresponsible distribution of alcohol is prohibited. Such distribution includes, but is not limited to, any occasion when the atmosphere or circumstances are such that the intended or likely outcome is either abuse of alcohol or to become intoxicated. Examples of irresponsible distribution of alcohol include, but are not limited to: funnels, shot parties, beer pong, chugging contests, or other organized drinking games;
The event must be confined to the space indicated and all alcoholic beverages must remain in that space. It is imperative that the activities of the event not disturb the surrounding environment;
The entrance to the event must be staffed by individuals from the sponsor or hired staff in proportion to the number of guests and as determined by the Affirmative Action Officer, at the time of registration;
Intoxicated persons must not be served. Those arriving in an intoxicated condition, even if 21 or older, must be denied entrance;
The amount of beer and wine and non-alcoholic beverages made available must be in proportion to the number of guests who will be above or below the age of 21;
Food must be available and easily accessible;
No alcohol may be served after 2:00 a.m., regardless of whether the event extends past 2:00 a.m.;
For events at which alcohol will be served or consumed, there shall be no publicity distributed or posted which is primarily focused on the availability of alcohol; and
No on-campus or Graduate College affiliated event may sell alcohol for the primary purpose of fundraising. Graduate College administrators and/or staff may check in periodically at approved events to ensure that the events are operating in accordance with the Graduate College Policy. If Graduate College administrators and/or staff become aware of a disturbance at an approved event, they will promptly investigate the disturbance. Graduate College administrators and/or staff will address violations they observe and will request the name and identification number of any student believed to in violation of any aspect of the Alcohol/Drug Policy. While Graduate College administrators and/or staff will make every effort to work with students to address and remedy alcohol violations or other problems, Graduate College administrators and/or staff are authorized to close events at which violations of Policy or other serious problems are evident. Sponsors of events are responsible and liable for the conduct of their guests at parties. Organizations must comply with these policies and applicable laws. Organizations and individuals involved who violate this policy will be subject to appropriate disciplinary sanction through the Student Disciplinary Code.

Exceptions: (1) Functions held in the President's House of The Graduate College are not required to be registered pursuant to this Policy. There are no restrictions regarding the dispensing of alcoholic beverages at such functions; (2) College sponsored events, whether indoors or outdoors, are not required to be registered pursuant to this policy. However, appropriate signs must be posted and a trained, professional, bartender must control the dispensing of alcoholic beverages. Wine and beer served with meals must be dispensed by an approved bartender. Hard liquor may be dispensed by an approved bartender. Alcoholic beverages must not be served to any intoxicated person or to anyone underage.

Seeking Assistance

Please call 911 if there is an immediate emergency involving alcohol and/or drug use during an event.

Medical Amnesty Protocol
The Graduate College recognizes that in an alcohol or other drug-related emergency, the potential for action by the Graduate College may act as a barrier to students seeking medical assistance for themselves or other students; therefore, the Graduate College has developed a medical amnesty protocol. The Graduate College's main concern is the well-being, health and safety of its students. An individual seeking medical assistance for another student during an alcohol or other drug-related emergency will not face action by the Graduate College for the possession or use of alcohol or other drugs. The recipient of medical attention will avoid formal action by the Graduate College for the possession or use of alcohol or other drugs if she/he agrees to contact the Student Assistance Program Counseling Center at the Wellness Corporation, at 1-800 -326-6142. A trained counselor will make appropriate recommendations, which may include a referral for further health services. Union Graduate College students have access to up to four visits with a local mental health provider, no fee, through the school’s contract with the Wellness Center. The student must be referred to the local provider by the Wellness Corporation. The policy reflects the Graduate College's priority on safety and does not rule out an educational response to the incident. The student's permanent educational record will reflect no formal disciplinary action, but the Graduate College may require a professional alcohol/drug evaluation. The policy refers to isolated incidents only and does not protect any who flagrantly and repeatedly violate the College's alcohol policy.

for the most up to date information visit the student handbook

Union Graduate College 80 Nott Terrace, Schenectady, NY 12308 US Phone: (518) 631-9900 Fax: (518) 631-9901
Educating Graduate students from Albany, Schenectady, Upstate New York’s Capital Region, United States, and around the World.