The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence cites “alcohol-related problems or impairment in such areas as . . . liver disease, gastritis, anemia, neurological disorders . . . impairments in cognition, [and] changes in mood or behavior.” Alcohol consumption also presents serious health risks to pregnant women.

Additionally, alcohol abuse, including excessive or “binge” drinking, can seriously affect academic, athletic, and work performance while leading to behaviors that are destructive, violent, or asocial. In particular, there is a strong relationship between alcohol consumption and instances of wrongful or inappropriate sexual behaviors.

The university provides a variety of counseling and educational programs to identify and help those who experience difficulty with alcohol. These programs and related resources are listed in the resources section at the end of this policy.

The university strictly adheres to federal, state, and local laws that restrict and regulate the sale, service, and consumption of alcoholic beverages. The following is a summary of the applicable New York State laws:

• It is illegal in the State of New York for any person under the age of 21 years to possess or consume any alcoholic beverage.
• The sale of alcoholic beverages to persons under the legal New York State purchase age is prohibited. No one may “sell, deliver, or give away; cause, permit or procure to be sold, delivered or given away any alcoholic beverages” to anyone underage. Legal consequences may include both fines and imprisonment.
• It is illegal in the State of New York for any minor to use false identification to obtain alcohol. Legal consequences may include a fine of up to $100 and/or up to 30 hours of community service.
• In New York State, the sale, gift, or delivery of alcoholic beverages to a “visibly intoxicated person” is prohibited.
• Under New York State’s Zero Tolerance Law: Persons under age 21 who are caught driving with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of .02 of 1% or more but not more than .07 of 1% will lose their driver’s license for at least 6 months and may have to pay civil penalties and suspension termination fees.
• Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) is the operation of a motor vehicle while having a BAC of .08% or higher. Legal consequences may include fines, imprisonment, and a revoked or suspended driver’s license.

All members of the university community are encouraged to familiarize themselves with these and other laws related to alcohol use.

The university’s policy is meant to ensure legal use of alcoholic beverages and responsible conduct by individuals at on-campus events sponsored or sanctioned by the university, and at off-campus events hosted by members of the university community when such events are held as an extension of university programs or activities. Members of the university community who violate the policy on alcoholic beverages will be subject to university disciplinary procedures. Further, members of the university community should be advised that they may also be subject to prosecution in accordance with federal, state, and local laws.

Events where students are present and where alcoholic beverages will be served are subject to approval by the Office of the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs regardless of the age of the students. The Office of the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs can be contacted at 212.229.5900 ext. 3656. In conformance with the university’s policy, alcoholic beverages may be sold, distributed, served, or consumed only by individuals who have attained the minimum legal New York State purchase age of 21. Groups sponsoring events intended primarily for persons under the age of 21 are strongly encouraged to hold alcohol-free events.

Approval is contingent upon demonstration by the sponsoring group or organization that it is able to comply with the following:

• An “Alcohol Beverages Supervisor” will serve as the central contact person at an event where alcohol is served. The person in charge of the event will serve in this capacity or a staff member appointed by the person in charge. The Alcohol Beverages Supervisor for any event must consult with the Office of the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs in planning the event.
• Any off-campus event sponsored or sanctioned by the university or hosted by members of the university community as an extension of university programs or activities are subject to the same requirements as on-campus events.
• Standard identification procedures, appropriate security measures and visible signage are required at all university events where alcoholic beverages are available and persons under the age of 21 are present. Signs will read: “Alcoholic beverages may only be served to or consumed by persons 21 years of age or older."
• Advertisements or promotional materials for student-sponsored events should not encourage the irresponsible use of alcoholic beverages.
• The availability of alcoholic beverages should not be used in advertising events.
• The sale, distribution, service, or consumption of alcoholic beverages is restricted to areas designated by the university.
• Quantities of alcohol to be served at an event must be established in advance and must not encourage intoxication based on New York State legal levels of blood alcohol.
• When alcoholic beverages are served, food and non-alcoholic beverages must be provided in sufficient quantities and in a manner commensurate with the availability of alcoholic beverages to discourage intoxication.
• Appropriately trained bartenders must be on duty at all events where alcoholic beverages are served.
• Bartenders will request proof of age in compliance with New York State laws.
• Alcoholic beverages must not be sold or served to anyone who seems to be intoxicated or is known to the seller or server to be a problem drinker.

The only exception to this approval requirement is for events sponsored and supervised by Officers in the central administration of the university or the Deans of the academic divisions. Any officer or dean wanting to serve alcohol at a university event must seek approval from the Vice President of Human Resources and the Office of the General Counsel.

Consumption of Alcohol in the Residence Halls

No person under 21 years of age shall consume, distribute, or possess alcoholic beverages of any kind. Alcohol is not permitted in any Residence Hall that is designated a “dry hall,” under any circumstances, regardless of age. Students have the responsibility of knowing which Residence Halls are dry halls. Any student needing this information can contact the Office of University Housing. In all other residence halls, students who are 21 years of age or older may have alcohol in their rooms but may not distribute, share, or sell to anyone under 21 years of age. Alcohol is never allowed in public areas such as corridors, elevators, lobbies, lounges, or stairwells. It is the responsibility of each resident to familiarize his/herself with the policy in his/her residence hall.

Employee Drug-free Workplace Policy

In addition to the university-wide Policy on Alcoholic Beverages (to which all members of the university, including employees, are subject), the university, pursuant to the federal Drug-free Workplace Act of 1988, has developed the following policy:

• The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession or use of a prohibited controlled substance in the workplace is prohibited.
• In addition to any other applicable civil or criminal penalty, any university employee convicted of the illegal manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession or use of a controlled substance shall be subject to disciplinary action which may include termination of employment or an employee may, at the university’s discretion, be required to satisfactorily participate in a program for the treatment of drug abuse.
• Employees working on grants covered by the Drug-free Workplace Act of 1988 are hereby given notice that as a condition of their employment they must obey the prohibitions set forth in Paragraph One (1) of the Drug-free Workplace Policy and notify the university within five days of a conviction for violating any criminal drug law.
• Upon receiving actual notice of an employee’s criminal drug conviction, the university, pursuant to the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, within 10 days shall so notify the federal agency which issued the grant under which the employee was working.
• Within 30 days of receiving notice of a drug offense conviction, the university shall take appropriate disciplinary action.
• The university advises members of the university, including employees, of the dangers of drug abuse in the workplace and of any available drug counseling, rehabilitation and employee assistance programs.
• Employees are hereby informed of university’s policy on maintaining a drug-free workplace and the penalties that may be imposed upon employees for drug abuse violations.

Employee Drug-free Workplace Policy

Students are required to familiarize themselves and adhere to the drug policy as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct. The policy prohibits the “[u]se, possession, distribution or the manufacture of narcotic or dangerous drugs or of any illegal or controlled substances, except as expressly permitted by law, on university-owned or -controlled property or at university-sponsored functions.” Furthermore, students are prohibited from the on-campus possession of any type of paraphernalia analogous with the use, distribution, or sale of illegal substances/narcotic drugs (i.e., scales, bongs, pipes, etc.).”

Students found in violation of the drug policy will be subject to sanction under the Student Code of Conduct. Sanctions may include but are not limited to:

• Oral Warning, i.e. verbal notification to the student that repetition of the wrongful conduct may be cause for more severe sanctions, and a clear instruction to desist.
• Written Warning, i.e. written notification to the student that continuation or repetition of the wrongful conduct may be cause for more severe disciplinary action within the period of time stated. A copy of the written warning letter will be placed in the student’s file.
• Fines, i.e. sum to be paid by the student to the university or another specified body. Failure to pay fines will result in the withholding of a student’s transcript and/or denial of either graduation or continued enrollment at the university.
• Restitution, i.e. reimbursement for damage or loss to either university or individual property. Failure to make restitution will result in the withholding of a student’s transcript and/or denial of either graduation or continued enrollment at the university.
• Community Work, i.e. assignment of a specific number of hours of community service work to be accomplished in a specific time.
• Disciplinary Probation, i.e. written notification to the student that he/she is in official jeopardy. A further violation of the Student Code of Conduct while on disciplinary probation may result in suspension or expulsion.
• Restriction, i.e. denial of the use of certain university facilities or the right to participate in certain activities or privileges for a specified period of time.
• Suspension and/or termination of a student’s housing privilege, including being banned from entering one or more of the university’s Residence Halls.
• Suspension, i.e. exclusion from class, exams, and all functions of the university for a stated period of time. Suspension may require petition for readmission.
• Expulsion, i.e. dismissal from the university. The student may not attend classes or take any examinations and must vacate university property by the effective date of expulsion. Readmission will not be considered.

With the exception of medication as legally prescribed, it is illegal in the State of New York for any person to possess or traffic in any controlled substances and/or drug paraphernalia including, but not limited to, the following:

Students found in violation of the drug policy will be subject to sanction under the Student Code of Conduct. Sanctions may include but are not limited to:

• Narcotics: opium, morphine, codeine, heroin, etc.
• Depressants: barbiturates, benzodiazepines, methaqualone, rohypnol, etc.
• Hallucinogens: LSD, mescaline, peyote, ecstasy, etc.
• Inhalants: nitrous oxide, butyl nitrate, propyl nitrate, etc.
• Precursors: chemical compounds
• Prescription Drugs: steroids, Ritalin, etc.
• Drug Paraphernalia: packing materials, scales and balances, hypodermic needles, etc.

Legal consequences for the possession or criminal sale of controlled substances and/or drug paraphernalia may include fines and imprisonment.

Marijuana

It is illegal in the State of New York to possess, use, or traffic in marijuana. The legal consequences for the possession or criminal sale of marijuana may include fines and imprisonment. The University Student Code of Conduct prohibits the possession and/or use of marijuana in any amount on campus and/or at university sponsored functions.

Prescription Drugs

The possession and/or use of prescription medication other than as legally prescribed is in violation of the University Student Code of Conduct as well as federal, state, and local laws. The distribution of such medications without proper licensure and/or in a manner other than specified under federal, state, and local law is prohibited. The use of over-the-counter medications in a way that is deemed by the university as misuse, or the possession of quantities of such medications as deemed excessive by the university, will be considered a violation of the University Student Code of Conduct.

Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs (DWAI)

Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs (DWAI) is the operation of a motor vehicle while impaired by the use of a drug as defined in the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law. Legal consequences may include fines, imprisonment, and a revoked or suspended driver’s license.

The university is committed to providing information, education, support and referrals for faculty, students, and staff who have concerns or problems with alcohol and drug use and abuse. Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to utilize the many university and community resources available to them.

Resources currently available for those in need of assistance include the following:

At The New School:

Human Resources: 212.229.5671

Employee Development Center: 1.800.327.9092

Student Health Services: 212.229.1671

Security (24-hour): 212.229.5165

Student Disability Services: 212.229.5900 x3656

Student Support and Crisis Management: 212.229.5900 x3189

In New York City – Treatment Programs:

Realization Center: 212.627.9600
19 Union Square West, 7th floor

Greenwich House: 212-691-2900
122 West 27th Street, 6th floor

Lower East Side Service Center: 212.343.3520
25 Allen Street

Lower East Side Harm Reduction Center:
212.226.6333

Smither’s/C.O.P. E.: 212.523.8285

Roosevelt Hospital: 212.523.5825

In New York City – Self Help Programs:

Alcoholics Anonymous: 212.647.1680

Narcotics Anonymous: 212.929.6262

Al-Anon (for friends and relatives of alcoholics): 212.941.0094

Marijuana Anonymous: 212.459.4423

Pills Anonymous: 212.874.0700

24-hour Hotlines:

Emergency – Police/EMS 911

National Hopeline Network – Suicide Prevention: 1.800.SUICIDE

Samaritans Suicide Prevention Hotline: 212.673.3000

Oasis – Substance Abuse,
Domestic Violence and General: 1.800.522.5353

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1.800.273.TALK

National Clearinghouse for Drug and Alcohol Information: 1.800.662.HELP