Alcohol
Overview
As a community of scholars and learners, Duke University expects those within its community to be responsible for their choices related to the use of alcohol and other drugs. In keeping with this principle and federal, state, and local laws, the University's Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy emphasizes individual and shared responsibility, healthy and informed decision-making, the maintenance of a caring environment, and the promotion of genuine dialogue. Students are encouraged to learn about the potential social, physiological, and psychological consequences of alcohol and drug abuse. Excessive and high-risk substance use can lead to negative consequences for the Duke community and its members, including assault, illness, injury, litter, noise, property damage, driving under the influence, arrest and/or criminal charges. All members of the Duke community share responsibility for creating an environment that limits dangerous substance use behaviors and, therefore, reduces the likelihood of these negative outcomes. Members of the Duke community are responsible for behaving in a manner that is not disruptive or endangering to themselves or others. Being under the influence of alcohol will not constitute as a mitigating factor for an individual’s behavior.
Reasonable use of alcohol is permitted in select areas of campus pursuant to the following guidelines:
- Hard liquor is prohibited on all campuses (East Campus, West Campus, 300 Swift, Blue Apartment) for
- all students, regardless of whether a student is above 21 years of age, except at events in which licensed service (i.e., a venue that holds a liquor license) is being utilized.
- Students aged 21 and over may consume and/or possess alcohol on campus (except on East Campus).
- Students under 21 years of age are not permitted to purchase, possess, or consume alcoholic beverages. Student(s) and student organizations are considered in violation of this policy if they facilitate the acquisition of alcohol by anyone under the age of 21. An exception may exist for students studying abroad in jurisdictions with different laws regarding the age of alcohol consumption. Students studying abroad must comply with the laws of the jurisdiction in which they are located.
- Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in first-year residence halls or the surrounding grounds.
- Licensed kegs (i.e., kegs obtained from a licensed retailer such as a brewery, ABC, etc.) are allowed for gatherings of 50 or more in the common spaces of residence halls on West Campus (not in private rooms) and other spaces on campus that have been reserved pursuant to the Guidelines for Events Involving Alcohol. Other common-source containers (including, but not limited to, the following: "punch bowls, coolers, garbage cans, BORGS, kiddie pools, etc.) are prohibited except as specifically authorized by the University." Student(s) and student organizations are prohibited from engaging in actions that are harmful or potentially harmful to oneself or others involving the use of alcohol (i.e., off-campus public intoxication, illegal driving while under the influence of alcohol, attempted use of fraudulent identification or another’s identification to obtain alcohol, etc.). Prohibited actions while under the influence of alcohol that are disruptive to the on and off-campus communities include but are not limited to disorderly conduct, damaging property, fighting, running away, or hiding from University or public officials.
- Any gathering (i.e., 25 guests or more present) where alcohol is present must be registered by the hosting student(s) or student organization(s) and is required to follow the Guidelines for Events Involving Alcohol. The Guidelines for Events Involving Alcohol are designed to promote safe events for community members and help student(s) and student organizations mitigate the risks of hosting an event. For more information regarding registering social events and/or events with alcohol, see the Guidelines for Events Involving Alcohol.
- At its discretion, the University may prohibit specific calendar dates, individual(s), student organizations, and/or events with alcohol.