Policies & Guidelines
On This Page
Alcoholic Beverages Regulations
Code of Student Conduct
Violations
Guest Policy
Harassment Policy
Hazing Policy
Code
of Student Conduct
Academic
Regulations
Residence
Life Policies & Procedures
Your room on campus is a base of operations
from which you are entitled to come and go as you please; a home away
from home where your personal belongings are secure and respected;
a sanctuary for reading and writing and preparing for classes without
distractions or loud noise; a place where you can kick back and relax
with your own thoughts and dreams, visit confidentially with friends,
or just plain “be.”
Your room is a private space and may not
be entered by anyone without your consent or proper legal documentation,
except for reasons of maintenance, health, and safety.
Neither you nor any other member of the
residential community need justify a desire for safety, cleanliness,
quiet, or privacy. These are the rights of every member of the community,
which means they are both your rights and your responsibilities.
Taking responsibility for your own actions
and for the well-being of your fellow residents is the spirit of the
community and, when it comes right down to it, the rule of the University
of Massachusetts Amherst. Residential rights are protected along with
your right to redress grievances without fear of intimidation or retaliation
within the community.
Infringement upon your rights or the rights
of any other member of the community by you or others will not be tolerated
and will be dealt with by your peers along with members of the Residence
Life staff according to the University of Massachusetts Amherst disciplinary
procedures. (See the Code of Student Conduct.) Resident Assistants
and Apartment Living Advisors are not expected to give warnings before
reporting policy violations to the Residence Directors, Assistant Residence
Directors, Apartment Complex Coordinator and/or Apartment Manager.
Alcoholic
Beverages Regulations
The following regulations have been adopted
by the Department of Housing and Residence Life. (See also Alcohol & Drug
Policies: What Every Student Should Know! found on the Dean of Students
web site.)
Preface
Procedures established for the acquisition,
possession, transportation, consumption, distribution, and sale of
alcoholic beverages shall represent standards that acknowledge freedom
for educational and social pursuits and protection from hazards, intrusions,
harassment, and vandalism.
To provide for the responsible use of alcoholic
beverages by students, staff, and guests of the residence hall community,
the Executive Director of Housing and Residence Life or her/his designee
is authorized to establish rules, regulations, and procedures governing
residence
halls alcohol use. The following policy is designed to provide for
an educational environment that:
- Informs all students and staff of appropriate alcohol-related
rules and regulations.
- Ensures the enforcement of state, local, federal, and University
laws regulating alcohol.
- Provides for disciplinary procedures that ensure that policy violators
are prosecuted.
- Makes provisions for the responsible consumption of alcohol.
General
Guidelines
- This policy sets standards
of conduct that all students, staff and guests must observe.
- Any member of the University of Massachusetts Amherst community
may charge a student with alleged violation of this policy under
the disciplinary provisions of the Code of Student Conduct.
- If any student is found to be in violation of the University of
Massachusetts Amherst alcohol and drug policies for possession
of a keg or large volume, for dispensing alcohol to a minor, or
for possession or distribution of controlled substances, the parents
or legal guardians of dependent students under 21 will be notified.
If any student violates the University policies for underage possession
or open container in public space for a second time, the parents
or legal guardians of dependent students under 21 will be notified.
The University of Massachusetts Amherst many waive parental notification
in unusual circumstances if a student submits a bona fide statement
indicating that such notification will create significant hardship.
- Violations of any residence hall alcoholic beverage rule, regulation,
or policy may also result in civil and/or criminal litigation.
- The adjudication of policy violations includes, but is not limited
to, mediation, informal or formal hearing procedures, and initiation
of civil and criminal proceedings.
- The use and association of alcohol with
inappropriate behavior is not allowed as a mitigating factor in disciplinary
hearings.
Education and Enforcement
Residence hall staff are responsible for
the dissemination and enforcement of the Alcoholic Beverage Policy.
The Residence Director, Apartment Complex
Coordinator and Apartment Manager's role is to:
- Inform all students in her/his cluster of the rules and regulations
regarding alcohol consumption and transportation.
- Supervise the Resident Assistants/Apartment
Living Advisors in the enforcement of the rules and regulations of
the policy.
- Educate the student governance bodies about their role in informing
residents about the policy and enforcing the policy at sponsored
events.
- Apply the appropriate disciplinary procedures to any violator
of the policy.
The Resident Assistant and Apartment Living
Advisor's role is to:
- Inform students of the Alcoholic Beverage Policy.
- Report all violations of the policy
to the appropriate University staff.
Residence hall staff and student governance groups
may work together to establish alcoholic beverage regulations and procedures
that take into account the needs of their specific hall community.
These regulations must be consistent with all related federal, state,
local, and University policies.
Rules
What is prohibited
- Minors may not possess or consume alcohol within the residence
halls. When all residents are under 21 years of age, they are considered
to be residents of "dry rooms." No alcoholic beverages are allowed
in their rooms, not even for guests.
- Residents who are 21 years or older may not provide alcohol to
underage students within the halls.
- The amount of alcohol which a student may possess and/or store
is limited to twelve (12 oz) bottles/cans of beer, two (750 mL)
bottles of wine, or one bottle of hard liquor (1L).This applies
to each resident in a room who is 21 or older. Other quantity-dispensing
containers, including but not limited to kegs and beer balls, are
prohibited in all areas of the residence halls.
- Possession of an open container of alcohol is never permitted
in "common areas" including, but not limited to, corridors, kitchenettes,
bathrooms, laundries, or stairwells.
- Possession or consumption of alcohol by any person, regardless
of age, is prohibited in all areas of alcohol-free halls and floors
including, but not limited to, student rooms, public corridors,
stairwells, bathrooms, kitchens and lounges.
- Kegs, beerballs, and other large-volume containers that contain
alcoholic beverages are not permitted anywhere in any residence
area.
- Consumption of alcoholic beverages is not permitted in outdoor
areas, such as parking lots or fields, that are adjacent to the
residence halls and dining facilities.
- Alcohol may not be sold in residence hall rooms/suites, corridors,
kitchenettes, or stairwells.
- Events may not include activities with any form of drinking contest
or require a participant to drink alcohol.
- Student organizations or residential units shall not sell nor
offer for sale any alcoholic beverages unless conditions established
by the University Alcoholic Beverage Policy are met and a proper
license is obtained from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts prior
to the event.
What is permitted
- Only residents who are at least 21 may consume alcohol within
the residence halls.
- Alcohol is permitted at a registered event in a designated area
of a residence hall or in a residence hall room when the student
has reached the legal drinking age.
- Sponsoring individuals or groups who serve or allow alcoholic
beverages to be served may be responsible for injury to the consumer
and to third persons resulting from such beverage distribution
and consumption.
- At events where alcoholic beverages
are provided:
- Only designated servers may dispense the alcoholic beverage.
- Individuals or sponsoring organizations must take precautionary
measures to ensure that alcoholic beverages are not accessible
or served to persons under the legal drinking age or to persons
who are intoxicated.
- Food and nonalcoholic beverages must be available and featured
prominently.
Pertinent Statutes
Listed below are some pertinent statutes concerning
Commonwealth Law, Chapter 138, published in Annotated Laws of Massachusetts.
- It is unlawful for a person not of legal drinking age to purchase,
possess, transport, or consume alcoholic beverages.
- It is unlawful for any person not of legal drinking age to knowingly
and willfully make any misrepresentations or false statement as
to his/her age in order to obtain alcoholic beverages.
- Any purchase or arrangement with another to purchase or procure
an alcoholic beverage by a person less than the legal drinking
age is a crime punishable by a fine of $300.
- Any person less than the legal drinking age who transports or
carries on his/her person an alcoholic beverage commits a crime
punishable by a fine of not more than $50 and may be arrested without
a warrant (except persons who are 18, 19, or 20, who may transport
or carry alcoholic beverages in the course of her/his bona fide
employment in an establishment licensed to sell alcoholic beverages)
Resources
The following are several on-campus resources
available to students regarding alcohol use, abuse and counsel.
- Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students (BASICS)
545-0137
Helps you assess your use, identify changes that could work for you and
reduce your risk of future problems. Students are required to attend BASICS
after a first, and second level violation of UMass Amherst's alcohol policy.
If you're seen medically for an alcohol-related incident, you may be referred
to BASICS. Students will be required to attend BASICS for drug policy violations
as well. Or, you could take part in BASICS on your own.
- Mental Health Services - 545-2337
Provides counseling, support groups and 24 hour emergency coverage. You
may also consult the on-call clinician.
- University Health Services (UHS) - 577-5229
Urgent Care will assist with an immediate concern, medical question or
urgent medical problem.
- Emergency -- In a medical emergency, call the UMass Police
- 911
Code of Student Conduct Violations
If you should be found in violation of the
Code of Student Conduct, you will receive a notice indicating the section
number of the code that you violated and you will be subject to disciplinary
action.
The Residence Hall Regulations portion of
the Code follows:
II.D. Residence Hall Regulations
II. D. 1. A. Security Regulations
The maintenance
of a safe and secure residence hall environment is the responsibility
of each resident. Students are responsible
for adhering to the stated policies regarding residence hall security,
guests, entrance/exit doors, and maximum room capacity.
II.
D. 1. B. Guest in Violation of University Policy
Hosts are responsible for their guest(s) and should accompany
them at all times. Hosts may be held responsible for any guest who
violates regulations as noted in the Code of Student Conduct. If the
guest is a UMass Amherst student who violates regulations, the guest
may charged for the policy violation. The host
may be charged with violation of the guest policy.
II.
D. 2. Noise Policy
Residents and guests must abide by the courtesy and quiet hours
as determined by each cluster. Residents must comply with requests
to reduce excessive noise. At no time should any amplified sound by
directed out of residents' windows.
II.
D. 3. Health and Safety Standards
Any activity deemed to be a threat to the health and safety of students is
strictly prohibited. Basic health standards are expected around sanitary conditions,
hygiene, and appropriate use of bathrooms and common areas. It is an expectation
that students will keep kitchen areas, bathrooms, hallways, and their rooms
clean. This includes, but is not limited to, refrigerating perishable foods,
closing containers to avoid attracting pests, cleaning sinks after washing
dishes, etc.
II.
D. 4. Furniture Policy
Each residence hall room is furnished with University furnishings, which must
remain in the students' rooms at all times. Furnishings need to meet safety
standards and be assembled properly. Waterbeds are not allowed in the residence
halls. The University does not offer public storage for students. In addition,
lounge furnishings must remain in public areas at all times. Residents may
be held financially responsible for costs associated with replacing missing
furniture and/or removing unauthorized furniture from their rooms.
II.
D. 5. Window Screen Policy
Window screens must remain in windows at all times.
II.
D. 6. Candle Policy
Candles, lit or unlit, are not permitted in student rooms. Recreational use
of candles is prohibited in all areas of the residence halls. Lit candles are
allowed for religious purposes only (in designated areas only) and must be
registered in advance as outlined in the Lighting Religious Candles in the
Residence Halls agreement.
II.
D. 7. Pet Policy
The University prohibits pets in the residence halls (except fish in tanks
no larger than 10 gallons). Exceptions may be granted for animals required
by students with hearing or sight disabilities.
II.
D. 8. Bathroom Policy
Students and their guests must use bathroom facilities designated for their
sex.
II.
D. 9. Smoking Policy
Smoking is prohibited in residence halls except in the officially designated
space(s) in each building.
II.
D. 10. A. Alcohol - Underage Drinking/Possession
In accordance with Massachusetts law, you mist be 21 or older to drink or possess
alcoholic beverages. If residents of a room are under 21 years of age, no alcoholic
beverages are allowed in their room at any time.
II. D. 10.
B. Alcohol - Open Container in Public Space
Possession of an open container of alcohol is prohibited in all common areas
of residence halls including, but not limited to, public corridors, stairwells,
bathrooms, kitchen units, and lounges. Note: residents over the age of 21 may
consume alcohol in their rooms, whether the door is open or closed.
II. D. 10.
C. Alcohol - Possession of Alcohol in Alcohol-Free Halls and Floors
Possession or consumption of alcohol by any person, regardless
of age, is prohibited in all areas of alcohol-free halls and floors
including, but not limited to,
student rooms, public corridors, stairwells, bathrooms, kitchens and lounges.
II. D. 10.
D. Alcohol - Large Volume
The amount of alcohol which a student may possess and/or store is limited to
twelve (12 oz) bottles/cans of beer, two (750 mL) bottles of wine, or one bottle
of hard liquor (1L).This applies to each resident in a room who is 21 or older.
Other quantity-dispensing containers, including but not limited to kegs and
beer balls, are prohibited in all areas of the residence halls.
II. D. 10. E. Alcohol - Providing Alcohol to
an Underage Drinker
Providing alcohol to anyone under the legal drinking age is prohibited.
II. D. 10.
F. Alcohol - Possession of Alcohol Paraphernalia
The possession and/or use of drinking paraphernalia or products that promote
the abuse of alcohol and/or put the user in a position to consume alcohol irresponsibly
is prohibited. This includes but is not limited to funnels, taps, and beirut/beer
pong tables.
II. D. 10.
G. Alcohol - Unlawful gathering serving alcohol
Due to the potential for noise violations and illegal alcohol consumption,
large gatherings are prohibited in the residence halls. A group of more than
10 people in a residence room in which alcohol is present (regardless of room
size) will be considered a large gathering. Progressive large gatherings (i.e.
round robins) and/or any gatherings that spill out into a common space are
prohibited and may be viewed as a violation of the alcohol policy.
II. D. 10.
H. Alcohol - Intoxication
Intoxication, defined as being under the influence of alcohol or any other
psychoactive drug to any extent which requires the attention of University
staff or which causes a disturbance or is a danger to persons or property is
prohibited. You may be reluctant to seek medical help for an individual experiencing
severe intoxication or a serious injury after consuming alcohol. However, it
is imperative that you call for medical assistance since these emergencies
are potentially life threatening. UMass Amherst has developed the Good Samaritan
Protocol to ensure that the health and safety of all community members remains
our first priority.
II. D. 10.
I. Alcohol - Possession of empty alcohol containers
Possession of empty alcohol containers (i.e liquor bottles, wine bottles, and/or
beer cans) is prohibited in residence halls by students who are under 21 and
may be viewed as evidence of possession and/or consumption of alcohol. In addition,
students are not allowed to use alcohol containers, whether full or empty,
as decorations within their residence hall room.
II. D. 10.
J. Alcohol - Engaging in drinking games
Creating, offering,
and/or engaging in drinking games or other behaviors designed for
the purpose of rapid and/or excessive consumption is prohibited.
At no
time should activities which encourage excessive drinking and/or lead to the
endangerment of the individual served take place in the residence halls.
II.
D. 11. Incense Policy
Incense, lit or unlit, is not allowed
in the residence halls for fire safety reasons.
II.
D. 12. Community Living Standards
All residents are expected to be respectful and responsible
members of the communities within University residence halls. Students
are expected to refrain from actions which prevent individuals from
having a safe and respectful community living experience. Examples
include, but are not limited to the following:
- Students must cooperate with
University officials acting in performance of their duties; and
- Students must refrain from actions
that would interfere with a roommate's right to occupy the room
- Students must refrain from incivility
to staff and/or other residents
- Students must refrain from engaging in physical
fights
