Posted: Wednesday, May 11, 2016

The University of Evansville has announced updates to the institution-wide alcohol policy.

“In the spring of 2015, our Student Government Association approached university leadership with a request to review the policy,” says Dana Clayton, vice president for student affairs at the University of Evansville. “For over a year, we’ve researched the policies of other private, religiously-affiliated institutions to reach a solution that would best serve our students and other university constituents.”

UE’s current policy does not allow alcohol of any kind on campus grounds.

“Following extensive discussion with a wide range of University constituencies, we determined that a policy that better enables UE to regulate alcohol use and encourage responsible student behavior was both consistent with our mission and an expression of confidence in our students,” said Tom Kazee, president of the University of Evansville.

The acceptable use guidelines for the new policy are still being developed but will limit the types of alcohol to beer and wine and only to be served or consumed within certain perimeters for university housing and approved events,  The new policy will be implemented in stages beginning in August of 2016 with a full implementation planned for the spring 2017 semester. 

The new policy guidelines will be grounded in four guiding principles:

1. Indiana State Law:  The laws governing possession, distribution, consumption, sale and promotion of alcohol of the state of Indiana are recognized and supported by the University of Evansville.  The University recognizes its responsibility to provide appropriate education to its students regarding these laws.  
2. Acceptable Behavior: Behavior that disrupts the educational mission of the university, disrupts the campus community, or endangers the health and safety of members of the campus or its visitors, will not be tolerated.  Such behaviors will be dealt with according to the Student Code of Conduct as outlined in the Student Handbook or other appropriate handbook such as the Faculty, Staff, or Administrative Manuals.
3. Alcohol Education:  The University Alcohol Policy is built upon the core principle of education about the responsible possession and consumption of alcohol.  This includes information relative to Indiana State Law and University policies specific to the areas of approved university activities, residence life, and Greek life.
4. The Responsible Good Neighbor Exemption:   The Responsible Good Neighbor Exemption provides students the opportunity for university disciplinary action to be waived if medical or other emergency assistance for another has been sought.  Additional information regarding this exemption is published in the Student Handbook and on the university website. 

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