In keeping with the mission of the university, Linfield is committed to providing an environment that is safe and fosters excellence in learning for its students and in work performance for all of its employees. Therefore, the misuse and illegal use, possession, transportation, distribution, manufacture, or sale of alcohol and other drugs is not permitted on property owned or controlled by the University, or while representing the University on business or in other University sponsored activity. The use of alcohol on university owned or controlled property or at events associated with Linfield programs is restricted to those of legal drinking age in that locale.

 Violations of this policy include the following:

• Those under 21 years of age may not consume alcohol or be under the influence of alcohol (except in foreign locations with permission from the on-site director and within the laws of that location).
• Providing alcohol to minors or providing a location where minors can consume alcohol is prohibited and is a violation of the alcohol policy.
• Those 21 and over may consume alcohol on campus only in the private rooms or apartments of those 21 and over with the door closed. All other areas of the university, indoor and out are considered public areas.
• Alcohol is not permitted in public unless such use is specifically authorized in writing by the President or the President’s designee.
• Public consumption of alcohol or public possession of an open container of alcohol anywhere on campus is a violation of Linfield policy and City Ordinances of McMinnville and Portland regardless of a student’s age. University apartment balconies and patios are considered public areas
• Kegs, beer bongs and other large containers of alcohol are not permitted in university-owned or affiliated properties and will be confiscated and will not be returned.

Expectations for University Residents under 21 years of age

• Residents under the age of 21 may not have any alcohol containers, whether full or empty, in their campus housing. Residents who are found in possession of empty and/or full containers of alcohol in their room may be referred to the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities and subject to disciplinary action. All containers of alcohol (full or empty) will be removed and dumped down the most convenient drain and all alcohol bottles will be recycled when possible.
• If minors are present where alcohol is/was being consumed, all persons there may be held in violation of the university alcohol policy unless the minors can demonstrate that they consumed no alcohol. This can only be done on the McMinnville Campus by requesting a breathalyzer, administered by a Linfield Public Safety Officer. Breathalyzers requested after the conclusion of the incident or after a student has left the scene of the incident will not be administered or serve as a demonstration that an individual has not consumed alcohol.  Failure to request and/or failure to take a breathalyzer is considered admittance to violating the alcohol policy. It is the responsibility of the student to request a breathalyzer by contacting LPS.

Because alcohol misuse is a very common hindrance to success in college, the University will treat any verifiable violation of any state or local alcohol laws on or off campus by students as a violation of the University alcohol policy.

For students, minimum responses to alcohol policy violations are as follows:

• First violations result in a meeting with a representative from the Dean of Students’ Office and a requirement to complete an education program, which may be at the student’s expense.
• Second violations result in a meeting with a representative from the Dean of Students Office to determine the need for an educational response and/or referral to a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor.
• Third violations may result in a recommendation for suspension from the University.

These represent minimum sanctions; other sanctions are available to Administrative Hearing Officers based on the individual circumstances of the particular policy violation(s).

If alcohol consumption results in a health risk or hospitalization, the University may notify your emergency contact(s).

Additional sanctions may be imposed for situations such as:

• Violations of local, state, or federal drug laws
• Hosting a function that involves any drug violation
• Furnishing drugs
• Tampering with smoke detectors
• Disruption of community
• Unreasonable or excessive noise
• Lack of respect for or cooperation with responding authorities
• Providing false ID or misrepresentation of age or name
• Physical or verbal abuse of staff or police
• Leaving without providing identification

Sanctions may include, but are not limited to:

• Community restitution hours
• Educational programs
• Exclusion from University residence halls or apartments
• Probation
• Separation from the University (suspension and/or expulsion)

Repeated and/or more severe violations of this policy will be associated with progressive sanctioning.

Students who struggle with addiction, or who develop a potential for such a problem are encouraged to seek assistance in the Health & Counseling Center in Walker Hall 103 or the Wellness Coordinator in Walker Hall 102 in McMinnville, or Peterson Hall 319 in Portland. Employees should seek assistance through the EAP via the Human Resources Office.