Alcohol and Other Drugs

  • A. Drugs - Caldwell College upholds the laws of the Federal Government and Title 24 of the Statutes of New Jersey which prohibit the illegal possession, use or distribution of marijuana, cocaine, or other hallucinogens and narcotic drugs. Students who violate these laws are subject to severe disciplinary measures, including possible expulsion. The College cannot protect an offender against the penalties of the law. Law enforcement officers, when armed with proper documents, have the legal right to search any and all buildings on the campus without prior notice. A conviction in a prior year could negate any future financial aid.
  • B. Alcohol - Effective January 1, 1983, the legal drinking age in New Jersey was raised from 19 to 21 years. Specifically, anyone who was not 19 years old before January 1, 1983 must wait until their 21st birthday to purchase or consume alcoholic beverages in the state of New Jersey.

New Jersey statute 2C:33-15 - Possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages by minors:

  • A. Any person under the legal age to purchase alcoholic beverages who knowingly possesses without legal authority or who knowingly consumes any alcoholic beverage in any school, public conveyance, public place, or place of public assembly, or motor vehicle is guilty of a disorderly persons offense, and shall be fined not less than $100.00.
  • B. Whenever this offense is committed in a motor vehicle, the court may, in addition to the sentence authorized for the offense, suspend or postpone for up to 30 days the driving privilege of the defendant.
  • C. In addition to the general penalty described for a disorderly person's offense, the court may require any person who violates this act to participate in an alcohol education or treatment program, authorized by the Department of Health, for a period not to exceed the maximum period of confinement prescribed by law for the offense for which the individual has been convicted.

In accord with the above legislation, alcohol purchase and consumption on the Caldwell College campus will be governed by the following regulations:

  • 1. No one under the legal age for drinking shall be served or allowed to sell, purchase, consume or have in his/her possession alcoholic beverages.
  • 2. Possession of all alcoholic beverages is prohibited in all resident halls. All students found in a room where alcohol is present will be fined and a write up will be issued. All alcohol policy violations will be in effect for the semester it occurs as well as the following semester.
  • 3. Students will be held accountable for any vandalism or harassment while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
  • 4. The College will notify parents of students under 21 years of age if found responsible for violations of the alcohol and other drug policy.

Alcohol and other drug-related incidents on campus or at off campus College-related activities are reportable to the Vice President and Dean for Student Life (see Code of Student Conduct, #21 on page 30). Residence Hall incidents are reported to the Director of Residence Life; both are referred to the Substance Awareness Counselor. Each case will be handled with the utmost care to benefit the student, College and the campus community.

First Offense: $250.00 fine and write-up for students hosting a party where alcohol is served. Hosting students will be fined an additional $50.00 per underage student present in the room.

$150.00 fine and write-up for students found in a room where alcohol is present.

Fines are payable to the Substance Awareness Office. One (1) hour of educational and personal counseling is required. If the fine is not paid by the end of the semester in which the incident occurs, a hold will be placed on registration which will affect class attendance for the following semester and no transcripts will be issued.

Second Offense: The student must attend five (5) educational and personal counseling sessions in the Substance Awareness Program and pay a $300.00 fine.

Third Offense: If a third incident involving alcohol/drugs occurs, the student, together with the Substance Awareness Counselor, would be seen by the Vice President and Dean for Student Life to determine possible expulsion from the College, medical leave of absence and/or probation.