Alcohol Hosting Policy

An additional charge will be levied to those violators of the alcohol policy who transport alcohol to campus, distribute to other students or have alcohol in his/her contracted residence hall room or automobile.

Students may be referred to the Judicial Process if there is any evidence to indicate that alcohol may be in the possession of the student. A student may be held responsible for an alcohol violation if there is reasonable cause or evidence for the College to believe alcohol has been transported, possessed, or consumed by the student.

State Legislation

Offenses: Pennsylvania law states that a person commits a summary offense if he/she, being less than 21, attempts to purchase, purchases, consumes, possesses or transports any alcohol, liquor or brewed beverages. Anybody who operates a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol and is found guilty will be charged with a misdemeanor of the second degree. Possession, manufacture and delivery of illicit drugs are, at least, a misdemeanor of the third degree. Anyone charged with a misdemeanor must appear in court.

Public Drunkenness

In Pennsylvania, it is against the law for people to appear in public when intoxicated to the extent that they endanger themselves or others. They may not annoy others as well or endanger property. If convicted of such public drunkenness — a summary offense — a fine of up to $300 and a jail sentence of up to 90 days, or both, may be imposed. The College reserves the right to pursue conduct charges in cases involving public drunkenness.

Open Container Law

In a car:

No driver may legally consume any alcoholic beverage in a vehicle in operation on a Pennsylvania highway. This is a summary offense.
On the streets:
In Pennsylvania, there is no state law to prohibit open containers of alcohol in public. However, many local governments have enacted such ordinances.

Pennsylvania Lowered DUI Blood Alcohol Level.