Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs Policy

Definitions

Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages - consuming or drinking alcoholic beverages.
Controlled or Illicit Substances - cannabis/marijuana, cocaine, heroin/opiates, acid, etc. (including, but not limited to).
Distribution of a Controlled Substance – providing controlled or illicit substances to others. This includes selling and/or giving a substance to someone else, and aiding someone else in the distribution of controlled or illicit substances.
Drunk and Disorderly Conduct – any disruptive behavior exhibited while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
Giving/Selling Alcohol to Persons Under the Age of 21 – including but not limited to buying alcohol for, or otherwise supplying alcohol to, a person(s) under the age of 21.
Open Container – the unauthorized possession of an open container of alcohol in College public areas including but not limited to hallways, lounges, bathrooms, and outdoor spaces. This applies to all students (including those who are 21 years of age or older), and is defined as any open bottle, can, mug, cup, etc. used to transport alcohol.
Possession of Alcoholic Beverages - having on one’s person and/or knowingly being in the presence of alcoholic beverages.
Possession of a Controlled Substance – having on one’s person, or knowingly being in the presence of, any controlled or illicit substances (except cannabis/marijuana).
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – having on one’s person and/or knowingly being in the presence of any device or materials utilized for the consumption and/or distribution of controlled or illicit substances. These include, but are not limited to, oil pens, grinders, bowls, bongs, hookahs, scales, etc.
Public Intoxication – exhibiting characteristics of intoxication in public areas including but not limited to lounges, hallways, bathrooms, etc.
Residence - applies to all residence hall rooms (singles, doubles, triples, quads, and suites) and apartments (1-bedroom and 2-bedroom).
Use of a Controlled Substance – taking or consuming a controlled or illicit substance. Methods of use include, but are not limited to, smoking, vaping, injecting, snorting, inhaling, ingesting, etc.

Alcohol Policy

All residents in a residence hall or apartment must be 21 years of age or older in the residential unit to be in possession of alcohol, or to be consuming alcohol. Students under the age of 21 who may have visitor(s) 21 years of age or older are not allowed to have alcohol in their room based on their age; students 21 years of age or older may not consume alcohol in their residential unit with underage guests. The only exception to this would be if a 21 years of age or older resident has an underage roommate, the of-age roommate is allowed to possess alcohol on their side of the room and consume alcohol with their underage roommate present in their residential unit.

Individuals 21 years and older are permitted to possess and consume alcoholic beverages on College property subject to the following restrictions:

The use of alcohol at Keuka College is at all times subject to New York State Alcoholic Beverage Control Laws and to certain provisions of New York state penal law, and as such, public drunkenness is prohibited.
Under New York State law, it is not permissible to sell, deliver, or give alcohol to persons under the age of 21. Persons under the age of 21 are not permitted to consume, possess, or acquire alcoholic beverages on Keuka College property OR to be present in a residence hall room or apartment where alcohol is being consumed, or in the presence of alcohol on College property. Violations result in disciplinary sanctions against the user and the provider. Should a minor’s roommate be 21 years of age or older, however, the minor may be present in his/her room if his/her roommate is consuming alcohol.
Common containers, including beer bongs/funnels, kegs, tap systems, wine boxes, etc., are not permitted in the residence halls or apartments (empty or full). Such items are to be confiscated and disposed of by designated Campus Safety or Residence Life staff.
Alcohol is not allowed in public view on the Keuka College campus (to include all College buildings and grounds) except within designated locations at approved College events. Public view includes, but not limited to, residence hall and apartment common areas (entryways, kitchens, lounges, study rooms, etc.), residence hall and apartment common hallways, and residence hall and apartment windows.
The possession of empty beer or alcohol containers in your assigned living space when you are under-age will be treated as a violation of the College’s Alcohol Policy.
No beer or alcohol containers and alcohol-themed decorations can be visible from the window(s) of your living space.
Drinking games and contests that are centered around alcohol, focus on drinking large quantities of alcohol, or promote unsafe consumption, are not permitted. Paraphernalia associated with drinking games (beer bongs/funnels, hoses, or anything else documented during the date and time of the reported incident) is also prohibited and will be confiscated and disposed of by designated Campus Safety or Residence Life staff.
Designated Campus Safety or Residence Life staff may terminate events during which behavior is deemed inappropriate. Designated staff may also confiscate and dispose of alcohol from student rooms and individuals if behavior is disruptive and if students are under the age of 21 years old.
The consumption and possession of alcohol on the Keuka College campus is a privilege which individuals are expected to respect. Those persons unable to comply with New York State law or Keuka College alcohol usage policies will be asked to leave an event and sponsorship and/or party privileges will be revoked. Referrals also may be made to the College student conduct system or to the appropriate city/state law enforcement agency.

Outcomes for violations to the alcohol policy can be found in the sanctioning guidelines of the Student of Conduct.

Tobacco Policy

Smoking & Vaping Policy

In keeping with Keuka College's commitment to wellness and fire safety, and due to the proven health risks of exposure to environmental smoke and vape emissions, the College has adopted the following policy:

All students, employees, and visitors at Keuka College are entitled to a smoke and vaping free environment. All College buildings are smoke and vape free. All students, employees, and visitors are expected to abide by a 50-foot, non-smoking, non-vaping perimeter around all campus buildings. This non-smoking and non-vaping perimeter has been established to minimize exposure to smoke and vape emissions, as well as to limit the amount of smoke/vape emission that enters buildings through doors, windows, vents, etc.
Outside smoking/vaping areas are designated by appropriate campus signage and ashtrays are available at each designated smoking/vaping location. Members of the campus community are asked to discard butts in an appropriate receptacle and not on building entryways/exits or campus grounds. In addition, benches are provided at most designated smoking/vaping locations for the comfort of the campus community and our guests.
Smoking and vaping is not allowed in any College-owned or leased vehicles. All guests at the College, including conference participants, are expected to comply with this policy. (Updated March 3, 2021)

No tobacco-themed decorations can be visible from the window(s) of your living space.

Tobacco and Legal Requirements

Retailers cannot sell cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, powdered tobacco, shisha or other tobacco products, herbal cigarettes, liquid nicotine, electronic cigarettes, rolling papers, or smoking paraphernalia to people under 21 years of age.

Article 13-F Section 1399-CC of the NYS Public Health Law prohibited the sale of tobacco and vapor products and smoking paraphernalia to people under the age of 21. Penalties for illegal sales to minors include fines, loss of license to sell lottery tickets, and loss of registration to sell tobacco and vapor products. Every registered tobacco retailer is assessed annually for compliance with this law.

Learn more about Tobacco 21, a Federal bill signed on December 20, 2019.

Need help quitting?

Tobacco cessation services are free and confidential.

For anyone in New York state: New York State Smokers’ Quitline or 866-697-8487.

For friends: Do's and don'ts for helping a smoker who's trying to quit, from the American Cancer Society.

Other Drugs Policy

The purchase, possession, use, cultivation, sale, or distribution of cannabis/marijuana, narcotics or other illegal drugs is prohibited. It is the College’s firm belief that the illegal use of drugs is inconsistent with the educational process.

Any person using or dealing in illegal drugs is considered to be conducting an activity which endangers the health and safety of the campus community. Persons who use or traffic in illegal drugs on the Keuka College campus will be adjudicated through the Keuka College Student Code of Community Standards and face separation from the Keuka College community and legal action from the civil authorities.

Any drug-related paraphernalia found in a student’s room or personal possession is also considered a violation of the Keuka College drug policy. In addition, any student present in a residence hall room, or other location while drugs are being used or are present, may be held accountable for a drug policy violation.

New York State has legalized adult-use cannabis. However, NYS colleges and universities remain bound by federal requirements under the Drug Free Schools and Communities Act and the Drug Free Workplace Act. Under those requirements, along with existing College policy, the use, possession, cultivation, and sale of cannabis remains prohibited at Keuka College and is subject to code of conduct. No cannabis- or drug-themed decorations can be visible from the window(s) of your living space.

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