/Institutions/Coker-University/json/2025-2026/Student-Handbook-local.json

/Institutions/Coker-University/json/2025-2026/Student-Handbook.json

Alcohol Policy

Philosophical Statement on Alcohol

Coker University’s Vision, Mission, and Values statement guides our pursuit of inspiring purposeful living through transformative experiences that nurture the growth of each individual on an intellectual, spiritual, emotional, and physical level. The University is committed to providing a campus environment free of the abuse of alcohol and the illegal use of alcohol and drugs. The University affirms the abuse and illegal use of alcohol are at odds with the mission of the institution. As such, the University provides alcohol education programs throughout a student’s matriculation at the university via online resources, workshops, written materials and special programs, events and speakers focused on assisting students in enhancing their personal decision-making skills and assessing their values and actions related to the use of alcohol.

The University recognizes that too many college students, both legally and underage, drink to excess. Such abuse can lead to serious health risks and behavioral problems, i.e. violence, sexual assault, accidents, vandalism, and other dangerous acts. Coker’s alcohol policy, therefore, grows out of the commitment to maintain a campus environment that supports the educational program and promotes the general welfare of the University community. The University affirms the following ideals related to alcohol use:

• The University supports the decision of students not to use alcohol.
• Alcohol education is an important and on-going process provided to students throughout their undergraduate experience.
• Students that drink alcohol and infringe on the rights of others or disrupt the University community will be subject to student conduct action.
• The University upholds and supports all federal and state laws related to the regulation and use of alcohol. Students who violate such laws may be held accountable by local and university authorities.
• The University emphasizes prevention education and low-risk decision-making as cornerstones of the overall educational experience of students at the university. As such, the University provides medical and counseling assistance for individuals who experience alcohol related concerns.
• The University supports behavior and social interactions that are legal, low-risk, healthy and reflective of the University’s values and character.

Alcohol Policy

The purpose of the alcohol policy is to outline Coker’s expectations of responsibility and accountability regarding the use of alcohol. Ultimately, decisions about the use of alcohol are the responsibility of the individual within the constraints of the law and university policy.

• Coker embraces the ideals of a healthy and balanced social environment in which students commit to the institution’s mission, model the institution’s values, and aspire to the institution’s vision.
• The University upholds and supports all federal and state laws in regard to the regulation and use of alcohol.
• The goal of the policy is to encourage students to either abstain from the use of alcohol or to make low-risk choices regarding the use of alcohol.
• The residence halls are unique living units on the campus intended for large groups of students to reside without undue peer pressure related to the use of alcohol. As such, alcohol is not allowed in the following residence halls: Memorial Hall, Belk Hall, RTC Hall.
• In Upperclassmen Residence Halls (Coker Hall, Grannis Hall, JLC Hall, George Hall and Sullivan Hall), living units in which all occupants are 21 years of age or older have the option to drink alcohol in the privacy of the apartments themselves, however alcohol is not allowed outside the apartments (i.e. not allowed on balconies, porches, stairwells, etc.), nor may be provided to anyone under the age of 21.

The regulations and practices governing the use of alcohol on the campus apply to all Coker students as well as their guests and visitors. As with all other student conduct policies, the responsibility for knowing and abiding by the policy rests with the student.

All local, state, and federal laws are in effect and violations may result in student conduct action and/or local law enforcement action.

General Regulations

• Possession and/or consumption of alcohol by anyone under the age of 21.
• Possession and/or consumption of alcohol in the residence halls regardless of age.
• Abusive, excessive and/or harmful consumption of alcoholic beverages.
• Public consumption and/or possession of alcohol in common areas of buildings and outdoor venues unless previously approved by the University as a special event.
• Alcohol in academic facilities.
• Public intoxication.
• Driving under the influence of alcohol.
• Public display of alcohol and/or alcohol containers carried around campus.
• Empty alcohol containers in the residence halls, including but not limited to, those used for decorative purposes.
• Residents may be responsible for providing the environment for underage consumption/possession of alcohol by others in their assigned housing units whether or not the residents purchased and/or actually provided the alcohol.
• Distribution and/or provision of alcohol to anyone under the age of 21. 
• Common containers of alcohol beverages or excessive amounts of alcohol on university-owned property including but not limited to: kegs, pony kegs, party balls, bulk containers or bulk amounts of individual containers or other devices used for drinking games.
• High-risk drinking, drinking games and drinking game paraphernalia (including but not limited to: beer pong tables, funnels, etc.) are strictly forbidden because they encourage the abuse of alcohol. Simulated drinking games (e.g., water pong) are prohibited regardless of whether or not alcohol is present.
• Sponsorship of activities involving the use of alcoholic beverages without prior written approval by the University. Specifically, parties are not allowed in any of the residential buildings or apartments.
• Common characteristics of a party can include, but are not limited to any or all of the following: presence of bulk volumes of alcohol, large volume of people, loud music or noise that disturbs neighbors or otherwise draws attention, and/or other behavior that draws attention to a student apartment/room.

Disciplinary Sanctions

The University will impose conduct sanctions on students who violate the alcohol policy regulations. The following minimum sanctions will apply for violations of the alcohol policy. Repeated violations of the alcohol policy may result in suspension or expulsion. It should be noted that alcohol violations which are also in conjunction with other Student Code of Conduct violations may result in more stringent sanctions.