Marlboro College has the responsibility as a community to make public and maintain an alcohol and drug policy. This policy must reflect federal and state laws, while also remaining sensitive to the character of the Marlboro College Community and the values that this Community upholds. While employees of Marlboro College are held to specific standards and expectations regarding the enforcement of the college’s policy, responsibility for upholding the spirit and the terms of the college alcohol and drug policy is shared by all members of the college community, including faculty, staff and students. Students are adults and are expected to obey the law, and take personal responsibility for their actions. Educational efforts that increase knowledge and understanding will be provided on a regular and on- going basis by the Health Center, the Psychological Counseling Office, and various academic departments.

Abuse of alcohol and drugs, either illicit or prescribed, threatens individual health, compromises educational development, and undermines community integrity. A summary description of certain health risks associated with the abuse of alcohol and illicit drugs is presented in the APPENDIX to this section of the HANDBOOK. Detailed information is available through the Health Center.

This policy was developed through the joint participation of students, faculty, and staff. It has been approved by the President and Town Meeting with the expectation that all Community members will be familiar with and abide by the principles and particulars of this statement. This policy will be reviewed biennially by the Dean’s Advisory Committee.

a. In general, Vermont State Law forbids the sale or serving of alcoholic beverages to persons less than 21 years of age. The Law states that it is illegal for a person under 21 to misrepresent his/her age in order to under the influence, to any degree, however slight, of alcohol, drugs, either illicit or prescribed, or a combination of the two.

b. Finally, the Law forbids the sale or serving of alcohol to an intoxicated person.

c. Vermont laws and applicable sanctions regarding the possession and distribution of alcohol, and Vermont drunk-driving laws are summarized in the APPENDIX to this section of the HANDBOOK.

a. As required by federal statute, Marlboro College prohibits the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of alcohol by students and employees on college property or as a part of any of its sponsored activities.

b. The sponsors of college social events at which alcohol is served are responsible for adhering to State Law and for meeting the general requirements outlined in this policy.

c. No alcoholic beverages will be served to persons less than 21 years of age at college events or events funded by Town Meeting. Sponsors of events are therefore required to check the ages of those being served alcohol.

d. Sponsors of college social events at which alcohol is served are responsible for ensuring that the amount of alcohol served does not lead to excessive drinking. The College urges sponsors of such events to keep all alcoholic beverages behind the bar so that only those assigned to pour, do so. The College prohibits serving alcoholic beverages to anyone who is intoxicated.

e. Sponsors of any college social event that serve alcohol will also serve a non-alcoholic beverage and food, both in an amount that will last the duration of the event.

f. Sponsors of any college social event that serve alcohol will provide transportation home to individuals requiring or wanting it.

g. The College forbids the coercion to drink or indulge and discourages any kind of group pressure to drink alcohol.

h. Individuals or groups that wish to purchase kegs for non-Social Committee or non-official College events at the College (such as a private party in a common room) must register the party with the Dean’s Office at least two working days before the event. The purpose of the registration process is to ensure that the sponsors of the event fully understand the law regarding alcohol distribution and the serious liability that is involved with sponsoring such an event.

i. Consumption of alcoholic beverages in the Dining Hall during mealtimes shall be restricted to the stage area, unless such beverages are served as part of an event registered in advance with the Dean of Student’s Office.

a. The College encourages application of the specific college regulations and the general spirit of the policy at all privately held events.

b. In an effort to further the College’s dedication to personal growth and responsible, safe living, the College encourages persons concerned about their own behavior to seek advice or assistance through the Resident Assistants, the Student Life Advisors, the Medical staff (Counseling and Health offices) or the Deans. Furthermore, the College encourages persons concerned about the behavior of another to communicate with the other urging him or her to seek advice or assistance through college support offices. Counseling and medical resources are available on a confidential basis.

c. The College encourages all efforts to provide education and information regarding alcohol and drug-related issues and will publish and distribute local alcohol counseling and guidance resources. The College will arrange transportation when necessary for individuals seeking help outside the College area.

a. Alcohol related behavior that causes or can reasonably be expected to cause physical harm to persons, or damage to property, or is unreasonably disruptive will be subject to college discipline through the Community Court.

i. Individuals found to be in violation of the terms of this policy, will be referred to the Dean of Student’s Office, where they will be assessed a fine and required to complete a self-assessment regarding their substance use. Fines for each violation shall be equal to the value of two hours of the state minimum wage. Fines will be paid at the Student Accounts Office. Failure to pay the assigned fine (s) may result in Community Court action. The funds accumulated from fines will be used to support the Sober Driver Program and to subsidize educational programming.

ii. Violators of the terms of this policy will also be subject to Community Court action.

iii. Sanctions that the Community Court may impose range from formal warning through fines, community service, suspension, to expulsion and referral for prosecution. Employees who violate the standards of this policy are subject to sanctions levied through the personnel procedures and their supervisors, and these sanctions range from formal warning to termination of employment, and referral for prosecution.

b. At the discretion of the Dean or other appropriate supervisory staff members and in consultation with the Medical staff (Health and/or Psychological Counseling offices), individuals may be referred to AA and/or required to seek out other counseling or guidance, or assistance programs off campus.

a. Marlboro College supports Vermont State laws pertaining to the possession and distribution of illicit drugs. These laws prohibit the use, sale, or possession of regulated substances without a prescription. In the event that a member of the Community becomes subject to legal action for the violation of these laws, the College will review the individual’s status, and will take appropriate disciplinary action. Federal and Vermont State Laws and applicable sanctions concerning regulated drugs are summarized in the APPENDIX to this section of the HANDBOOK.

a. Marlboro College views the use, possession, manufacture of or distribution of non-prescribed narcotics, amphetamines, barbiturates, hallucinogens or cannabis as a threat to the health, safety, and welfare of the individual, the College Community, and the educational mission of the College.

b. Abuse of alcohol and drugs, either illicit or prescribed, threatens individual health, compromises educational development, and undermines community integrity. A summary description of certain health risks associated with the abuse of alcohol and illicit drugs is presented in the APPENDIX to this section of the HANDBOOK. Detailed information is available through the Health Center.

a. The College encourages individuals needing help as a result of their drug use, to contact a Resident Assistant, a Student Life Advisor, a member of the Medical staff (Health and Psychological Counseling offices), or the Deans. Further, the College encourages persons concerned about the behavior of another to communicate with the other, urging him or her to seek advice and/or assistance through appropriate College support offices. Counseling and medical resources are available on a confidential basis.

b. The College supports all efforts to provide education in the area of drug abuse, and supports individuals seeking help with drug related problems. Information on local drug counseling and assistance programs is available through the Health Center, and the College will arrange transportation when necessary for individuals seeking help outside the College. A partial list of community services available in the area is presented in the APPENDIX.

a. The College will take action, including requiring individuals to leave the College Community and/or get professional help, when situations involving drugs occur in which the individual or the Community is adversely affected. Offenses involving the use, possession, or distribution of drugs will be subject to disciplinary action by the College, with sanctions ranging from formal warning to expulsion or termination of employment and referral for prosecution.

http://cs.marlboro.edu/ courses/ deans_advisory/ public/ Marlboro_AOD_Policy
last modified Monday February 1 2010 5:31 pm EST