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 Michigan.
Alcohol Permit
If you are a resident of a house that is not designated alcohol-free, you have the option to apply for an alcohol permit. With this permit, room residents who are 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 to consume alcohol in their room. Alcohol permits are valid for the entire academic year in which they were issued. Violations will result in the loss of your alcohol permit and referral to the Office of Academic and Community Conduct.
Permit Holder Expectations
The total limit is two alcoholic items per room.
Each of the following counts as one item toward the room's limit:
- Six-pack (six 12-ounce cans or 72 oz) of beer, cider, or seltzer
- 750 mL bottle of wine
- 750 mL bottle of liquor
Note: Any container of these types, even if empty, found in the room will be counted towards the two-item maximum.
- You must keep your door closed while consuming alcohol.
- The alcohol permit must be posted clearly inside the room and must be visible when looking in from the hallway.
- When consuming alcohol, no guests under 21 may be present in the room.
- If you change rooms, you will need to obtain a new permit.
- Intoxication is not permitted at any time.
- Occupants must at all times follow Board of Trustees Policy 12.4; Alcoholic Beverages.
- All students must abide by quiet and courtesy hours.
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 room.
How to Apply
To apply for an alcohol permit to store and consume alcohol in your room, you must:
- Complete the Alcohol Permit Request form on Roompact.
- Your Residence Education Coordinator will review your submission and confirm you are 21 or older.
- Your Residence Education Coordinator will place your permit in your mailbox within three business days.
StepUP Safer Drinking Tips
- Share your plan with a friend.
- Appoint a designated driver—don’t drink and drive.
- Pay attention to how much you’re drinking
- Alternate alcoholic with non-alcoholic drinks.
- Know your limit.
- Be mindful with drinking games.
- Alcohol and sex don’t always mix (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).
StepUP to make legal, healthy, safe and appropriate choices regarding alcohol.
Learn More
Alcohol-Free
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 East Hall and Hillside Place are eligible for an alcohol permit.
Alcohol-Free Communities
Douglass Houghton Hall
- Jotunheim
- Thermopylae I
- Thermopylae II
East Hall
There are no alcohol-free communities in this area.
Ford Center
The dorm at the Ford Center in Alberta, MI is alcohol-free.
Hillside Place
There are no alcohol-free communities in this area.
McNair Hall
- All of West McNair
- Summit
- Toll House I
- Women in Engineering
Wadsworth Hall
- 4-D
- Asgard
- Atlantis
- Danger Zone
- Elysium
- Hyrule I
- Hyrule II
- The Laboratory
- La Maison de Gaite
- Olympus
- Raptor
- Shangri-la
- Sleepy Hollow
- Tombstone
- Treehouse
- Utopia
- Valhalla
Tobacco Free, Smoke Free, and Vapor Free
Michigan Tech is committed to a healthy living and working environment for all residents and staff. As of January 12, 2015, the Michigan Technological University campus is tobacco free, smoke free, and vapor free. Smoking, smoke-free tobacco, and vapor use are prohibited on all Michigan Tech-owned or leased properties, including the residence halls. Violations of this policy may result in a fine of $500 and/or referral to the Office of Academic and Community Conduct.
There is an ongoing blanket exception to Board of Trustees Policy 12.2 (1) allowing for the use of tobacco (Nicotiana rustica) in spiritual and religious ceremonies. To ensure that ceremonies held indoors do not inadvertently activate fire alarms or sprinkler systems, event organizers must email Environmental Health and Safety at ehs@mtu.edu.
Controlled Substances and Illicit Drug Policy
Michigan Technological University fully complies with all local, state, and federal laws. The unlawful manufacture, possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs or controlled substances on University property or as part of University activities is strictly prohibited. This includes marijuana and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) products in any form, including without limitation tinctures, edibles, and topicals, which are prohibited on university premises in all circumstances, including medical marijuana. For more information, please see the Abuse of Alcohol and Other Drugs by Students and Student Organizations Policy.