ALCOHOL USE POLICY
TCU has the responsibility of maintaining an educational environment conducive to academic achievement and at the same time helping young people grow into mature and responsible adults. Though each individual ultimately must decide whether or not to use alcoholic beverages, the University through its Board of Trustees has determined what practices will be permitted on campus.
Students should be aware that the legal drinking age in the State of Texas is 21 years. Texas Christian University will conform to the state law and also has further specific regulations to govern the use, sale and possession of alcoholic beverages on the property of the University.
Students who choose to drink, either on or off the campus, are expected to handle alcohol responsibly and conform to the laws of this state. Violation of state law, city ordinance or University regulations will be considered grounds for disciplinary action.
Except for certain specified areas in University residence halls, and for specific events authorized by the Chancellor or Provost in the Dee J. Kelly Alumni and Visitors Center or other buildings, the consumption, sale or use of alcoholic beverages is prohibited on the campus. The consumption of alcohol is permissible for persons of legal drinking age in parking lots immediately adjacent to Amon Carter Stadium from two hours before until two hours after TCU home football games. Alcohol is not permitted in the Stadium at any time.
Residents of legal age (21 years) and over may possess and consume alcoholic beverages in their rooms or in the rooms of other students 21 years of age or older. The consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in hallways, stairways, elevators, lobbies, lounges, recreation areas, restrooms, and all other areas of the residence hall.
The purchase or sale of alcoholic beverages is prohibited everywhere on the campus. Furthermore, no person may provide any alcoholic beverages to any person less than 21 years of age. Students’ rooms may not be used as an “open bar” but may be used for private gathering with no more than six guests, all of whom must be at least 21 years of age. The University also prohibits the use or possession of alcoholic beverages in all instructional settings including those remote to the campus.
Information about specific penalties imposed for violation of alcohol use policies may be obtained from the Dean of Campus Life or the Office of Residential Services.
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The University policy governing the possession or use of
alcoholic beverages by faculty and staff states:
The University prohibits the use or unlawful possession of alcoholic beverages by faculty and staff on campus. The University also prohibits the use or possession of alcoholic beverages in all instructional settings including those remote to the campus.
An instructional setting is usually one in which (a) the
faculty member is responsible for the activity, although he/she may not be
physically present, (b) the activity occurs as a required, expected, or usual
part of the learning experiences, and (c) the activity has been approved by
appropriate University personnel.
Faculty and instructional staff engaged in the conduct of
their contractual responsibility in compliance with the policies of the
University are generally indemnified (see Indemnification Policy) by the
University for any claims arising out of the discharge of their duties. However, the indemnification of employees
does not extend to one (a) committing an unlawful act, (b) adjudged to be
grossly negligent, or (c) engaged in misconduct in the performance of his/her
duties.
There are other situations or interactions that may involve
faculty and students that are not part of their contractual responsibilities. Some examples of these "other
situations" include a theatre cast party, a gathering of the class at a
faculty member's home, an after class continuation of a classroom discussion in
a setting where alcohol is consumed, or the hosting of a faculty member at
lunch by students following the last day of a clinical rotation. In these more social settings involving
students and alcohol, faculty and instructional staff participants will be
deemed to be acting outside of the scope and course of their employment with
the University and will not be protected by the University's indemnification
policy.
To protect yourself in these "other situations"
not a part of your responsibilities as employees of the University, we suggest
the following:
1)
obey
the law, e.g., do not supply or condone the consumption of alcoholic beverages
by individuals under legal drinking age (this may require you to leave the
event),
2)
use
reasoned judgment and try to restrict further consumption by anyone who appears
intoxicated,
3)
use
reasoned judgment and try to restrict anyone who appears intoxicated from
operating a vehicle,
4)
refrain
from consuming alcoholic beverages when in the presence of students under the
legal drinking age and moderate consumption at other times, and
5)
refrain
from hosting or sponsoring social events at which alcoholic beverages will be
consumed by students.
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