Residence Life Alcohol Policy

Alcohol possession or consumption is not permitted by individuals under 21 years old. Residents 21 years of age or older will have the privilege of possessing and consuming alcoholic beverages in private spaces within campus housing according to the parameters established in this policy. However, alcohol consumption in the housing environment must not jeopardize public safety or impact the ability of others to study and rest within their housing units. Therefore, the University has put the following regulations in place pertaining to alcohol use and possession in on-campus housing:

  1. Providing alcoholic beverages to underage persons is prohibited.

  2. Residents and guests are not allowed to have alcohol that is accessible to, or in the presence of, any person under the age of 21. Residents under 21 years old may not be in the same room or common area of a suite or apartment as an open container of alcohol. If an individual under the age of 21 is present in a residential unit, any open containers and/or consumption of alcohol must be confined to the private bedroom of a resident who is a minimum of 21 years old with the bedroom door fully closed.

  3. Residents who are not of legal drinking age may not be in possession of alcohol at any time in any UAA residential community including surrounding grounds nor may they allow guests to bring alcohol into their room, apartment or suite regardless of the age of their guest(s). This includes the transportation or possession of empty alcohol containers.

  4. Residential students, who are a minimum of 21 years of age, may possess and consume limited quantities of alcoholic beverages in certain apartments or suites. An apartment/suite with one individual of legal drinking age may be in possession (opened or unopened) of up to 144 ounces of beer or 750 milliliters of other alcohol. In an apartment/suite where two or more students of legal drinking age reside, there may not be more than 288 ounces of beer or 1500 milliliters of other alcohol (opened or unopened) anywhere within the apartment or suite at any given time. Empty alcohol containers count towards the limit of alcohol per person, suite or apartment. It is the responsibility of each resident to coordinate with their roommates to ensure that the amount of alcohol present in their apartment/suite is compliant with the individual, personal and collective limit.

  5. Hosting a party is prohibited. A party is defined as a group of individuals who are present to participate in a social event involving alcohol. Students are considered hosts if one or more of the following conditions are met (this is not an exhaustive list): They organize or co-organize a party on the residential campus, participate in a party at their residence or invite guests to join the party. Any resident found responsible for hosting a gathering that exceeds the above stated alcohol limitations and/or hosting a gathering in which one or more minors consume alcohol in the resident's room, apartment or suite may have their housing agreement terminated as a disciplinary sanction, and be given approximately 72 hours to transition to off-campus housing, whether or not the resident has a prior UAA disciplinary record. Residents who have their housing agreements terminated for disciplinary reasons will lose their deposit and are only eligible to receive a full or partial reversal of their housing or dining costs in accordance with the mid-term release schedule depending on the date their agreement is canceled.

  6. The possession or consumption of any alcohol stronger than 80 proof is not permitted. Use of common sources of alcohol, including but not limited to kegs, party balls, trash cans and punch bowls is prohibited.

  7. Drinking games, contests or any activity that encourages the excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages are prohibited.

  8. Possession or consumption of alcohol in outdoor areas of residential campus, to include balconies and porches, as well as any area within the building or facilities on the residential campus outside of individual suites or apartments, is prohibited.

  9. It is prohibited to be visibly intoxicated within residential communities.

  10. The possession of alcohol paraphernalia (e.g., beer bongs, funnels, etc.) that is designated for the irresponsible use of alcohol is prohibited. 

  11. Alcohol signage, such as posters, signs, or other imagery that glorifies the use of alcohol, that is displayed in a private space belonging to one resident may not be visible to others outside of that space.

  12. Sale or distribution of alcohol is prohibited.

  13. Production of alcoholic beverages, or possessing materials with the intent to produce alcoholic beverages, is prohibited.

  14. Residence Life reserves the right to determine that a resident's level of intoxication renders them unable to exercise care for their own health or safety. When such a determination is made, the resident will be removed from student housing for approximately 12 hours and placed in the care of a responsible, sober adult (this individual may not be another residential student). Residence Life professionals will coordinate with the resident, the resident's emergency contact, local police and/or medical personnel to determine an appropriate off-campus location to which the resident may be sent.

  15. A resident who denies a request from police to receive a breathalyzer test will not be eligible to stay on campus for 12 hours immediately following their denial of the request for the breathalyzer test. The resident will need to meet with a Residence Life professional prior to returning to their room.

  16. Residents will be required to dispose of any alcoholic beverages or containers in their possession that are in violation of these policies.

  17. Parents/guardians of residents who are under the age of 21 may be notified of alcohol policy violations in accordance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (FERPA).

  18. Parents/guardians of residents who are under the age of 18 will be notified of alcohol policy violations.