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SDSU Alcohol and other drug Policies

Note: All on-campus consumption is regulated by California state law, university alcohol and substance policy, and supplemental individual group policies.

Policies outlined here provide for the sale, service, and consumption of alcohol at:

  • University-sponsored events, whether held on and off university property
  • Non university-sponsored activities held on university property
  • Procedures for Sale, Serving and Consumption of Alcohol on Campus
    Learn about types of alcohol permitted, how to get authorization to sell or distribute alcohol at campus events, and which forms to use.
  • Responsibilities of Requestors
    Learn what you must do as an individual or group sponsoring a campus event where alcohol will be served.
  • Regulation Enforcement
    Learn about the regulations enforced by SDSU regarding the use of alcohol and other substances.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Standards for student conduct applies to SDSU students on campus, off campus in the surrounding community, off campus at SDSU-sponsored events, and online sites. The university is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy living and learning environment for students, faculty, and staff. Each member of the campus community must choose behaviors that contribute toward this end. Student behavior that is not consistent with the Student Conduct Code is addressed through an educational process that is designed to promote safety and good citizenship and, when necessary, impose appropriate consequences.

The Student Conduct Code now applies to all students when violations take place within a designated off-campus area bordered to the north by Interstate 8, west at 55th Street, south at College Place/ Greek Circle, and east at East Campus Place. In addition, the scope of conduct that violates the code has expanded to include more types of risky behavior.

Students are expected to adhere to the Student Conduct Code. They are expected to be good citizens and to engage in responsible behaviors that reflect well upon their university, to be civil to one another and to others in the campus and surrounding communities, and to contribute positively to student and university life. This includes upholding all published university policies, rules, regulations, or presidential orders.

The areas of unacceptable off- and on-campus risk behaviors that violate the Student Conduct Code pertaining to drugs and alcohol include:

  • Use, possession, manufacture, or distribution of illegal drugs or drug-related paraphernalia, (except as expressly permitted by law and University regulations) or the misuse of legal pharmaceutical drugs.
  • Use, possession, manufacture, or distribution of alcoholic beverages (except as expressly permitted by law and university regulations), or public intoxication while on campus or at a university-related activity.

Sanctions for conduct described above can be imposed upon:

  • Applicants
  • Enrolled students
  • Students between academic terms
  • Graduates awaiting degrees
  • Students who withdraw from school while a disciplinary matter is pending

Student Conduct Code

For more information, visit the SDSU Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities and review the official Standards for Student Conduct.

Review guidelines for student organizations regarding the possession, dispensing, and consumption or alcoholic beverages at university functions. More on Student Organization Handbook

Housing Policies & Regulations

 

Your Guide to Living On Campus for all students.

 

Learn about successful residence hall community living regarding:

  • Alcoholic beverages

  • Illegal drugs

  • Passive involvement

  • Smoking

In addition to these policies, residents are expected to abide by the university alcohol policy, which to all campus living environments. Review the university's alcohol policy.

Review guidelines for SDSU fraternities and sororities regarding the possession, dispensing, and consumption or alcoholic beverages at university functions.

More on University Procedures for Social Fraternities and Sororities.

All student-athletes must sign a letter of consent acknowledging the SDSU ICA Substance Abuse Education and Testing Program policy and procedures.

  • Includes consent to drug testing.

A student-athlete (SA) who consumes alcohol will be held accountable for any alcohol-related incident in which he/she is involved. In such cases, the SA is subject to university, athletic department, or team disciplinary action whether or not there are legal implications.

If there are no legal consequences, the head coach and athletic administrator will determine if counseling intervention and/or suspension from practice/ competition are warranted.

  • First offense of an alcohol-related incident involves suspension from practice and competition until (a) a mandatory intervention is completed, (b) an alcohol specialist provides written release to rejoin the team.
  • Subsequent offenses result in termination from the SDSU athletic program and possible university penalties.

No alcohol may be purchased or consumed by a student-athlete, student trainer, or student manager while "on the road."

  • SA's athletic participation revoked immediately
  • SA either stays with the team (out of uniform) or is sent back to campus
  • Further discipline upon return to campus

Students who are alleged to have violated these policies are referred to the Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities for judicial review according to procedures established by The California State University (Chancellor’s Executive Order 970).

  • Legal age for drinking alcohol is 21.
  • Providing alcoholic beverages to anyone under 21 is prohibited ($100+ fine and loss of driver's license for 1 year).
  • Those under 21 are not permitted to possess alcohol in public places, including state highways or in and around schools ($150 fine).
  • It is illegal to possess false identification or use a fake I.D. to purchase (or attempt to purchase) alcohol or to enter an establishment where alcohol is being served.
  • No public intoxication (at least 1 day in county jail and possible fine).
  • No BAC greater than or equal to 0.01% for drivers under 21 (loss of drivers license for one year, vehicle may be impounded).
  • No BAC greater than or equal to 0.08% for drivers (1 year in County Jail up to 4 years in State Prison, driver's license suspended or revoked, probation up to 5 years, fines as high as $5000, attendance in treatment program may be required).
  • Causing injury or death from driving with BAC >0.08% (up to 4 years in State Prison and fines up to $5000).
  • Gross vehicular manslaughter (4, 6, or 10 years in State Prison).
  • It is unlawful for anyone-driver or passenger-to possess an open container of alcohol in an automobile. Possession of an open container of alcohol inside a car could lead to $1,000 in fines and six months in jail.

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