Alcohol and Drug Policy
Alcohol Policy
Chatham University supports the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania concerning alcohol and acknowledges the responsibility to inform each student of her obligation to abide by these laws; any infraction makes her liable to punitive action from the state. The University is not responsible for and will offer no protection for violators of these laws.
In brief, the law prohibits the purchase, consumption, possession or transportation of intoxicating liquors or malt or brewed beverages by minors (under age 21), and prohibits any other person to sell, furnish or give any such beverages, or to permit any of these beverages to be sold, furnished or given to any minor. The law also prohibits any person or group from selling alcoholic beverages without an appropriate license from the Liquor Control Enforcement agency.
Alcoholic beverages are not permitted at any student function at the University sponsored by any student group or organization unless authorized by the Office of the President. No University funds, including student activities fees, are to be spent for alcohol by student groups or organizations or their representatives, unless authorized by the Office of the President.
Alcohol may only be consumed in University residences when at least one resident of the room or apartment is of legal drinking age. If the amount of alcohol found in such a residence area is an unreasonable amount (based on the number of legal drinking students who are present), underage residents and guests may be charged with a violation of the alcohol policy. Likewise, underage students who are in the presence of alcohol being consumed by other underage community members and/or who are in the presence of a disproportionately large quantity of alcohol found in the living area of a student of legal drinking age, are subject to being charged with a violation of the alcohol policy. It is suggested and expected that underage students exercise appropriate and sensible judgment at all times, especially when they find themselves in the presence of alcohol.
Drug Policy
Chatham University supports the Federal, State and municipal laws governing the illegal use, possession, or transferring of any narcotic drug, including, but not limited to, marijuana, heroin, LSD, barbiturates, or amphetamines. The University will not be responsible for, nor offer protection to, a student violating these laws. In addition, the University strongly advises students to refrain from involving themselves and other students in any violation of these laws. Students who are in the presence of illegal drugs may be charged with a violation of the drug policy. It is suggested and expected that all students exercise appropriate and sensible judgment whenever they may find themselves in such situations.
Drug Free Schools and Communities Act
The ill effects of alcohol and drug use touch all of our lives. Current research continues to delineate the detrimental consequences of alcohol and drug use. Institutions of higher education responded to the growing problem of alcohol and drug misuse with the initiation of alcohol and drug prevention programs on campuses across the country. Coupled with at-risk behaviors, the use and abuse of drugs and alcohol by college-aged students becomes more complex and colleges must attack this problem directly. Chatham University is committed to addressing the problems associated with alcohol and drug abuse and to the creation of a healthy campus environment that supports students in their academic pursuits. Through education, training, and programming, the University strives to create such an environment by encouraging and supporting responsible decision making, with emphasis on the legal, moral, and ethical components of the decision making process.
Specific Standards of Conduct Regarding Illegal Drugs and Alcohol
The Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act, along with the Drug-Free Workplace Act, require that any institution of higher learning, as a condition of receiving any form of financial assistance under any federal program after October 1, 1990, must certify that they have adopted the implemented a program to prevent the unlawful possession, use or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees.
To demonstrate its commitment to provide a drug-free environment for its students, faculty and staff, Chatham University has established the following policy:
Chatham University prohibits the illegal manufacture, possession, distribution, dispensation or use of a controlled substance on University property or as a part of any University-sponsored activity. Faculty, staff and students of the University must also comply with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania regarding the possession and consumption of alcohol that reads:
Section 6308(a)
A person commits a summary offense if she/he being less than 21 years of age, attempts to purchase, purchases, consumes, possesses, or knowingly and intentionally transports any (alcohol), liquor, or malt beverages within the Commonwealth.
Violation: Maximum penalty of 90 days imprisonment. Additional penalty for subsequent offense is a $500 fine. Police required to notify parents.
Immediate suspension of operator’s license for 90 days for first offense and up to 1 year suspension of operator’s license for subsequent offenses.
Section 6039(a)
A person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree if she/he knowingly, willfully, and falsely represents to any licensed dealer, or other person, any minor to be of full age, for the purpose of inducing any such licensed dealer or other person, to sell or to furnish any intoxicating liquors to a minor.
Violation: Maximum penalty of one year imprisonment. Minimum penalty of $300 fine. No suspended sentences.
Immediate suspension of operator’s license for 90 days for first offense and up to 1 year suspension of operator’s license for subsequent offenses.
Section 6310(a)
A person commits a misdemeanor of the third degree if she/he intentionally and knowingly sells or intentionally and knowingly furnishes, or purchases with the intent to sell or furnish, any liquor or malt beverages to a person who is less than 21 years of age.
Violation: Maximum penalty of one year imprisonment. Minimum penalty of $1,000 fine for first violation and a $2,500 for subsequent violations. No suspended sentences.
Chatham University seeks to uphold the laws of the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the United States of America. Chatham University will apply sanctions that will lead to a student being disciplined, fined, suspended, expelled, or referred for prosecution, or an employee being disciplined, suspended, dismissed or referred for prosecution for violations of the University standards of conduct or violations of laws concerning unlawful possession, use, or distribution of drugs and alcohol.
Chatham University supports the Pennsylvania laws regarding alcohol consumption and acknowledges its responsibility to inform each student of the obligation to abide by these laws. Any infraction makes her/him liable to punitive action for violation of these laws. The University is not responsible for and will offer no protection to violators of these laws.
The following regulations govern the campus community, both at large, and specifically, in the residence halls:
- Resident students 21 years of age or older are permitted to transport, possess, and consume alcoholic beverages in their private rooms in the residence halls.
- Alcohol is prohibited in public areas including bathrooms, hallways, student lounges, TV rooms, kitchens, etc.
- Kegs, party balls, and any other common sources of alcohol are prohibited in the residence areas.
- Residents are responsible for the behavior of their guests at all times.
- Alcoholic beverages are not permitted at any student function sponsored by any Chatham student group or organization, unless authorized by the Office of the President. No University funds, including student activities fees, are to be used for the purchase of alcohol by groups or organizations or their representatives, unless authorized by the Office of the President.
- As members of the University community, students represent Chatham by their actions. It is, therefore, expected that students will not attend University events and/or functions while intoxicated and that a student’s behavior will not be disruptive to the community.
The penalties and sanctions for illegal possession of a controlled substance are as follows:
21U.S.C.844(a)
First conviction: Up to one year imprisonment and a fine of at least $1,000, but not more than $100,000, or both.
After one prior drug conviction: a minimum of fifteen days in prison, not to exceed two years and a fine of at least $2,500, but not more than $250,000, or both.
After two or more convictions: A minimum of ninety days in prison, but not to exceed three years and a fine of at least $250,000, or both.
Special sentencing provisions for possession of crack cocaine: Mandatory five years (minimum) in prison, not to exceed three years and a fine of at least $5,000, but not more than $25,000, or both.
Special sentencing provisions for possession of crack cocaine: Mandatory five year (minimum) in prison, not to exceed twenty years and a fine of $25,000, or both if:
- First conviction and amount of crack exceeds five grams
- Second crack conviction and the amount possessed exceeds three grams
- Third and subsequent crack conviction and the amount of crack exceeds one gram
21 U.S.C.853 (a) (2) and 881 (a)(7)
Forfeiture of personal and real property used to possess or to facilitate possession of a controlled substance if that offense is punishable by more than one year imprisonment.
21 U.S.C.881 (a)(4)
Forfeiture of vehicle, boats, aircraft or any other conveyance used to transport or conceal a controlled substance.
21 U.S.C. 844a
Civil fine of up to $10,000.
21U.S.C. 853A
Denial of federal benefits, such as a student loans, grants, contracts, and professional and commercial licenses, up to one year for first offense, up to five years for second and subsequent offenses.
18 U.S.C. 922(g)
Ineligible to receive or purchase a firearm.
Pennsylvania Penalties and Sanctions
Misdemeanors
- Misrepresentation: It is unlawful for any person to acquire or obtain possession of a controlled substance by misrepresentation fraud, forgery, deception, or subterfuge.
Penalty: Imprisonment for one year, a fine of $5,000, or both.
- Possession: It is unlawful for any person to knowingly or intentionally possess a controlled substance unless she/he is registered under The Controlled Substance Act, or obtains it by use of a valid prescription.
Penalty: Imprisonment for one year, a fine of $5,000 or both in the case of the first offense. Imprisonment for three years, or a fine of $25,000 or both penalties are applied in the case of a second offense.
- Possession and Distribution: of a small amount of marijuana (30 grams of marijuana or 8 grams of hashish): it is unlawful for a person to possess a small amount of marijuana for personal use or possess it with the intent to distribute, or to distribute the drug.
Penalty: Imprisonment for thirty days, a fine of $500 or both.
- Use and Delivery of paraphernalia: it is unlawful for a person to use, to deliver, or to possess with the intent of using or delivering paraphernalia (such as grow kits, pipes, needles, and roach clips to grow, conceal or ingest drugs).
Penalty: imprisonment up to one year, a fine of $2,500, or both.
Effects of Drug and Alcohol Abuse
The facts about alcohol and other drugs are well documented; drugs are harmful. They injure the body and alter an individual’s ability to think clearly. Drugs and alcohol have been used by people to alter moods, change perceptions, speed themselves up or slow themselves down. Some use them to relieve boredom or to escape reality. Whatever the desired effect, substance abuse is not without cost. A person’s health can be affected through the side effects of the drug or alcohol use. The increased risk of accidents, overdoses, contracting sexually transmitted diseases, etc. is heightened when one is under the influence of these substances.
What are the risks associated with use of alcohol?
Alcohol-related accidents are the leading cause of death for young adults. Alcohol slows reaction time and impairs memory, perception, muscle coordination, and vision. Possible hazards of excessive alcohol use and abuse include heart and liver damage, death from overdose, brain damage, cancer of mouth and esophagus, pancreatic, birth defects, and increased risk of breast cancer. Prolonged excessive drinking can shorten an individual’s life span by 10-12 years.
What are the health risks associated with the use of drugs?
Marijuana: Memory impairment, interference with psychological maturation, chronic Bronchitis, risk of lung cancer, loss of motivation and interests.
Stimulants/Amphetamines: Excessive activity, malnutrition, irritability, mood-swings, confusions, paranoia and hallucinations.
Depressants: Confusion, impaired judgment, drowsiness, loss or coordination, severe withdrawal, and possible fatalities when mixed with alcohol.
Hallucinogens: Panic, irrational behaviors, anxiety, depression, loss of coordination, aggression and agitation, and death from accidents and over dose.
Narcotics: Loss of judgment and self-control, malnutrition, and hepatitis through the sharing of needles.
Whom Can I Talk to…Where Can I Go?
Counseling Services, Director..... 412-365-1282
Health Services, Director..... 412-365-1238
Pittsburgh-Area Resources
Alcoholics Anonymous..... 412-471-7472
Al-Anon..... 412-572-5141
Adult Children of Alcoholics..... 412-441-6862
Gateway Rehabilitation Center..... 412-766-8700
Ligonier Valley Treatment Center..... 1-800-342-0855
St. Francis Chemical Dependency..... 412-622-4685
Narcotics Anonymous..... 412-391-5247
Center for Overcoming Problem Eating (COPE)..... 412-624-0227
Eating Disorders Awareness and Prevention..... 412-922-5922
Overeaters Anonymous..... 412-765-3004
YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh..... 412-391-5100
Sojourner House..... 412-441-7783
Rational Recovery..... 412-343-9458
Regional Task Force on Women and Addiction..... 412-766-8700 x127
Directory of Services for Women at Risk of Substance Abuse
is available from the United Way Helpline..... 412-255-1155
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