For a considerable time, there has been a realization that, for many people, chemical abuse can create a constellation of problems, including a serious negative effect on academic motivation and effectiveness — not only for the user, but also, in many cases, for those around the user. Therefore, the following policies in this general area have been developed.

Alcohol

Ripon College expects its students to know and respect the statutes of the State of Wisconsin which govern the possession and use of alcoholic beverages. The most relevant laws on this subject are summarized below:

1. Wisconsin law permits the drinking of alcoholic beverages starting at age 21. The law provides, in general, that no one under legal age may possess alcoholic beverages. The law also provides that any person who sells or furnishes alcoholic beverages to a minor is in violation. The law provides fines for convicted violators (both minors and those who furnish alcoholic beverages to minors), or imprisonment, or both. In addition, the court will restrict or suspend the motor vehicle operating privileges of violators (under legal age) for any period not to exceed one year.
2. The law also provides that persons who purchase, provide or serve alcoholic beverages for those under legal age may be charged with "contributing to the delinquency of a minor.’’
3. State law also prohibits misrepresentation of age or falsification of identification cards or use of another person’s identification. Those who provide others with false identification are also subject to prosecution.
4. State law also prohibits:
   • Anyone, regardless of age, from opening or drinking from a container of beer or intoxicating liquor in a moving vehicle, and
   • Anyone under legal age from having intoxicating liquor in a motor vehicle, and
   • Anyone of legal age or older from having alcoholic beverages in a motor vehicle while any minor is in such vehicle.
   • Because of the restriction of Wisconsin statutes, the College considers use and possession of alcoholic beverages on campus by students under legal age as a violation of institutional standards.

In addition to the expectation that students will obey the law, the College wishes to make explicit its position on the following:

1. Improper behavior arising from excessive use of alcoholic beverages will not be tolerated and may result in disciplinary action.
2. Certain non-college agencies prohibit alcoholic beverages at locations frequented by Ripon College students (e.g., Green Lake Conference Center). Students are expected to know and to observe the regulations established by proprietors of off-campus establishments.
3. Use or possession of alcoholic beverages at any College function open to the general public is prohibited. This prohibition includes on- and off-campus activities. Ingalls Field is not owned by Ripon College, and those responsible for the field, as well as the College, have a policy prohibiting the use of alcoholic beverages at that site.i).Alcohol;.
4. The College does reserve the right to having housing staff and/or deans immediately contact the local police to confront suspected violations, particularly in the case of uncooperative residents or repeated situations.
5. Publicity that promotes alcohol consumption is prohibited. Alcohol industry promotion of College events is discouraged. Approval must first be granted by the dean of students or director of residence life.

Ripon College students who are at least 21 years of age may possess and consume alcoholic beverages in residence hall rooms as long as minors (people younger than age 21) are not present. Room doors must be closed. While consuming or in possession of alcohol, students must have a valid proof of age in their possession and must produce it upon request. Kegs of beer and common containers (party balls, pony kegs, WOP containers, etc.) are prohibited in student rooms (minimum $100 fine). Open intoxicants (bottles, cans, glass, etc.) are not allowed in hallways, public areas or outside (only at approved lounge parties). Underage students should not be in possession of alcohol, open or unopened. Additionally, underage students in attendance at or participating in any gathering where alcohol is present are considered in violation of the alcohol policy and subject to disciplinary action.

A gathering in an individual student room where some or all of the following are present may result in disciplinary action being taken: a large number of people present (approximately eight or more in a double room, five or more in a single room), alcohol being consumed in an unhealthy manner, i.e., drinking games, shots, common containers, etc.; noise levels becoming increasingly excessive; or significant traffic in and out of the room.

Students may apply to host parties in residence hall lounges at which alcohol is present. Permission to host a party must be obtained any time alcohol is present in a lounge. Application for permission to host such parties must be made to the director of residence life at least four days in advance using the party application form, available from a hall director or the director of residence life. Notification of approval or disapproval of each application will be made no later than one day prior to the requested date for a party.

Consumption of alcohol at these parties must be restricted to people of legal drinking age as per Wisconsin statutes, and compliance with this restriction is the responsibility of the individuals who sign the party application form and the members of the group hosting the event. Alcohol may not be purchased for or provided by the student hosts. All such events will be of a "bring your own beverage" (BYOB) format. Specific procedures are provided on the party application form.

The location, duration and frequency of such parties will be managed in such a manner as to balance student needs for social activities and for a good environment in which to study. It is expected that parties be limited to weekends.

Alcohol Misuse/Abuse Enforcement

In residence halls, there always has been the question of what a staff member’s response should be to students possessing alcohol in areas where it is not permitted. Blatant, public and/or irresponsible behavior most often precipitates a staff member’s response. Room occupants are always responsible for the actions of their guests, which the consequences stated below will reflect. Violations where a party occurs in a room of underage occupants, or where underage people are present in an of-age room where alcohol is being consumed, may prompt the consequences to jump a step (i.e., 1 to 2, or 2 to 3) from the following stated penalties designed for an individual consumption violation. Using false IDs will cause an immediate jump to step 2. Also, dollar values will be assessed room occupants who are responsible for the event. Thus, in the case of a #2 violation, a student with a single room would be billed $100, while two roommates who are present each would be billed $100. Residence hall staff may confiscate alcohol if underage persons are present. The College reserves the right to notify parents/guardians of students’ alcohol policy violations. Additionally, alcohol violations will be cumulative over the course of one’s time at Ripon College.

1. For a first-time individual offense, the appropriate hall director will talk with the student(s) involved, pointing out the problem and the implications of this violation of College policy, and a $50 minimum penalty will be assessed.
2. If this discussion proves ineffective and a further violation should occur during the academic year, the hall director will talk with the student(s), and a minimum $100 penalty will be assessed. A referral to the College counselor and/or a chemical assessment may be required.
3. A third infraction will lead to a $200 penalty, and the matter will be referred to the director of residence life for consideration of additional penalties, which may include but are not limited to disciplinary probation, removal from the residence halls or suspension.Additional infractions will be referred to the dean of students for additional penalties.

Marijuana and Other Drugs

State Law

In the statutes of the State of Wisconsin, within the "Uniform Controlled Substances Act," marijuana is one of many substances included within the Schedule I category. The act prescribes the imposition of fines up to and including $5,000 and/or prison sentences of up to and including one year for a first offense. For a second or subsequent offense, penalties go up to $10,000 and/or a two-year sentence. For manufacture or distribution, the penalties go up to $25,000 and/or 15 years.

College Policy

Violations of federal and Wisconsin state laws regarding drugs are also violations of Ripon College policy and are subject to disciplinary action up to and including permanent dismissal from the College. This policy applies equally to administrative, faculty and student members of the College community.

As a guideline to students, the following statements are offered:

1. Drug misuse includes (but is not limited to) possession, using, selling, giving away, dispensing, mixing, administering, aiding or assisting others, participating with others in such activities or being present where such activities are taking place.
2. If a drug case is initiated in civil court rather than on the campus, serious College sanctions may await disposition of the case in the court. The College’s policies are, however, separate from those established by federal or Wisconsin state statutes.
3. The College does reserve the right to have housing staff and/or deans immediately contact the local police to confront suspected violations, particularly in the case of uncooperative residents, repeated situations or to help determine the source of a violation.
4. While empowered only to take action within its own provinces, the College will cooperate with the law enforcement agencies in accordance with statutory procedures.
5. Conversely, as an educational institution rather than a law enforcement agency, the College recognizes the appropriateness of handling certain drug problems individually and from a counseling and medical, rather than from a disciplinary, point of view.
6. Students are urged to reflect very seriously upon their own attitudes and actions with regard to drug abuse and to seek out information and counseling assistance as it may seem most appropriate to them. In the latter instances, it should be noted that information given to the College counselor (as well as to other physicians and clergy) is protected under the laws of "privileged communication.’’

Marijuana Enforcement

The College reserves the right to notify parents/guardians of students’ drug policy violations. Drug violations will be cumulative over the course of one’s time at Ripon College.

1. For a first-time offense, the appropriate hall director will talk with the student(s) involved, pointing out the problem and implications of this violation of College policy. A minimum $100 fine will be assessed.
2. If this discussion proves ineffective and a further violation should occur, the director of residence life will talk with the student(s), a $200 penalty will be assessed, and the student’s residence hall status will be reviewed. As a result of this review, the student(s) may be placed on disciplinary probation or may be removed from the residence halls. A referral to the College counselor and/or a chemical assessment may be required.
3. A third infraction will lead to a $300 penalty, and the matter will be referred to the dean of students for consideration of additional penalties, which may include suspension.

Other Drugs: Enforcement

The College reserves the right to handle the assignment of penalties for the use, possession and sale of other drugs in a manner appropriate to the severity of the incident. This means that, in the case of certain "hard drugs,’’ the infraction might be sent to the committee of deans for even a first violation. It also means that students found guilty of dealing may face immediate, serious consequences including suspension and/or expulsion.

Since possession of illegal drugs is also a violation of College policy, any such drugs that are in plain view may be confiscated and destroyed. Other drug-related paraphernalia used in the violation of College policy may be taken and held.

Students involved in campus disciplinary cases while under the influence of a chemical substance may be required to have a chemical abuse assessment.