Michigan state law mandates that you must be 21 years of age or older to possess or consume alcoholic beverages. Residents under the age of 21, therefore, may not possess or consume alcohol whether on or off campus while in the state.
Alcohol Permits
Residents have the option to apply for an alcohol permit. With this permit, the residents of a particular room who are of legal drinking age are allowed to possess and consume alcoholic beverages in their own room. Each resident of legal drinking age must apply for an alcohol permit if they wish to consume alcohol in their room. The following expectations involving alcohol must be met:
- Residents must keep their doors closed while consuming alcohol.
- The alcohol permit must be posted clearly inside the room and must be visible when looking in from the hallway.
- Residents with a valid alcohol permit can have no more than two of the following per room in any combination:
- six 12-ounce cans or bottles of beer/cider/seltzer (72 ounces)
- 750 mL bottle of wine
- 750 mL bottle of liquor
- Any alcohol container in the room will be considered full.
- Any container, including one that is empty, will be counted towards the total.
- When consuming alcohol, no guests under 21 may be present in the room.
Residents who are 21, but have roommates who are under 21 may obtain a permit. However, no alcohol may be provided to or consumed by anyone under 21 in the residence halls. Residents who are 21 and have an alcohol permit may have guests over 21 consume alcohol in their rooms. It is expected that all students abide by quiet and courtesy hours.
Non-permit holders are still subject to conduct violations in cases where empty containers are present in their space. This may include instances in which the empty is “repurposed”.
Alcohol-free living areas, which prohibit the consumption or possession of alcohol, alcohol containers, or alcohol paraphernalia by anyone, regardless of age, are provided in designated areas of the residence halls. Room assignments in this area are given to residents who do not use alcohol in their rooms at any time. The use and/or possession of alcohol and/or alcohol-related items are not permitted by the residents or their guests in these areas. Please note that all floors in Hillside Place and East Hall are eligible for an alcohol permit.
How to Apply for a Permit
In order to apply for an alcohol permit to store and consume alcohol in your room, you must complete the Alcohol Permit Request form. Your Residence Education Coordinator will review your submission and confirm you are 21 or older. They will place your permit in your mailbox within three business days.
Alcohol permits are valid for the entire academic year in which they were issued. If you change rooms, you will need to obtain a new permit. While you may obtain alcohol permits to consume alcohol, intoxication is not permitted at any time. Occupants must at all times follow Board of Trustees Policy 12.4; Alcoholic Beverages. Violations will result in the loss of your alcohol permit and referral to the Office of Academic and Community Conduct.
West McNair is an alcohol free space, no permits will be assigned at any time.
StepUP Safer Drinking Tips for the Michigan Tech Community:
- Share your plan with a friend
- Pay attention to how much you’re drinking
- Alternate alcoholic with non-alcoholic drinks
- Know your limit
- Be mindful of drinking games
- Alcohol and sex don’t always mix (check with Title IX to learn more about consent)
- Pick a drink and stick with it - beer and liquor don’t mix
- Never mix alcohol with any other drugs (talk to your doctor about prescription meds)
- Appoint a designated driver - don’t drink and drive
StepUP to make legal, healthy, safe, and appropriate choices regarding alcohol.
All property at the Ford Center in Alberta, MI is alcohol and substance free