MINIMUM SANCTIONS
FOR VIOLATION OF MIT ALCOHOL POLICY
| Violation | 1st Incident | 2nd Incident | 3rd Incident |
| Under 21 possession, call for medical help* | Consultation with medical provider | conference with Dean | Notice to parents & Formal Complaint to COD |
| Under 21 possession, no call for medical help* | alcohol education & conference with Dean | $50 fine | Notice to parents & Formal Complaint to COD |
| Providing alcohol to person under 21** | $50 fine & conference with Dean | $100 fine | Notice to parents & Formal Complaint to COD |
| Failure to comply with party registration policy | $25 fine for party host | $50 fine & loss of party hosting privilege for one semester | $100 fine & 20 hours Institute service |
* The distinction made between the first and second rows derives from the way the student's possession becomes known to the administration. If it is known only because medical treatment was sought for the student, then the first offense is treated as a medical, not disciplinary, matter for that individual. If, on the other hand, it is known by other means (including, but not limited to, complaints about a loud party or direct observation by someone in authority), then it is a disciplinary matter.
** Providing includes buying and/or serving alcohol to another person who is under 21, If the person who provided the alcohol is the one to call for help, the penalty will be considerably reduced or canceled.
Note that these are minimum sanctions for alcohol violations. More serious sanctions may be imposed in appropriate circumstances. If other unacceptable behavior is combined with the alcohol violation, such as fighting, sexual assault, or property damage, additional sanctions may be imposed for that behavior.
These sanctions apply only to individuals who engage in underage drinking or host private parties. A private party, for the purpose of these guidelines, has the following hallmarks:
- Invitations to individuals, not posters or emails to large lists,
- Alcohol bought by individuals, guests or host,
- Not more than 50 people
- On campus or in an FSILG, in a private room or function room which has been reserved by the host
An event in a function room which is open to anyone who walks in and which has been widely advertised by posters or email will be considered a house event. Use of house funds for any part of the event also makes it a house event.
These sanctions apply to both FSILG's and residence halls, graduate and undergraduate, when the event was a house event, as defined above, or when the living group was culpable. For FSILG's, the Dean of Student Life may defer to IFC and not impose sanctions on a house if he determines that the sanctions imposed by IFC are sufficient. In a residence hall, sanctions may be imposed on only one floor/entry/other subsection when appropriate.
| Violation | 1st Offense | 2nd Offense | 3rd Offense |
| Intoxication of person over or under 21, requiring medical treatment | House officers meet with Dean & written warning | House must host campus-wide alcohol education program within 3 months & social probation* for up to one year & fine $300 | Dry* for 2 years & other sanctions as appropriate |
| Under 21 possession with no call for medical help | House officers meet with Dean & written warning | 75% of residents must attend alcohol education program plus fine $500 | Dry for 2 more years & other sanctions as appropriate |
| House funds used to purchase alcohol or unregistered house event with alcohol | fine $500 | Social probation for one year | Dry for 2 years & other sanctions as appropriate |
| Refusal to cooperate with investigation by IFC or Campus Police or Dean | Social Probation for 6 months | Dry for one year | Dry for 2 more years & other sanctions as appropriate |
The period for counting offenses is two years, i.e., second or third offense within 2 years of the prior offense. Two full years must elapse without violations to begin again at the first offense level.
These are minimum sanctions. Additional sanctions may be levied, for example, severe reduction of funds available to residence halls and loss of Institute recognition of FSILG's. Failure to comply with sanctions imposed may result in more severe sanctions.
* Definitions:
- Social probation: No alcohol at house event and no large event with over 1-to-1 ratio of members to guests.
- Dry: No alcohol whatsoever, including in private rooms