Carroll College Student Alcohol & Drug Policy
Revised Date(s): 08/01/2022, 09/25/2026
Effective Date: 09/30/2026
Review Date: 09/30/2027
Responsible Party: Dean of Students Office
A. Purpose
Carroll College recognizes that individual choices regarding alcohol and drugs can affect the health, safety, academic success, and well-being of individuals and the College community.
The College promotes responsible and legal alcohol use and maintains a campus environment free from the use, possession, manufacture, distribution, and sale of illegal drugs.
The College's Alcohol and Drug Policy is grounded in an ethic of care and is intended to:
a. Promote the health, safety, and well-being of students and the campus community;
b. Encourage responsible and lawful decision-making regarding alcohol;
c. Prevent the unlawful possession, use, and distribution of alcohol and drugs; and
d. Help students understand how alcohol and drug use can affect their educational experience and the experiences of others.
The Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (20 U.S.C. § 1145g; 34 CFR Part 86) requires institutions of higher education to establish policies addressing the unlawful possession, use, and distribution of alcohol and illicit drugs by students and employees.
B. General Requirements
- All students must comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws and Carroll College policies concerning alcohol and drugs.
- Students are responsible for their own conduct and the conduct of their guests.
- Students may be held accountable for alcohol- or drug-related violations regardless of their age.
- The College may intervene when alcohol or drug use results in behavior that violates College policy, applicable law, or the health and safety of the community.
C. Alcohol
1. General Provisions
a. Students who are 21 years of age or older may possess and consume alcohol in accordance with applicable law and this policy.
b. Students under 21 may not possess, purchase, consume, transport, or distribute alcohol.
c. No student may provide, sell, purchase, or otherwise furnish alcohol to a person under 21.
d. Students are responsible for ensuring that their guests comply with applicable laws and College policy.
2. Permitted Alcohol Use
Students who are 21 years of age or older may:
a. Possess and consume alcohol in their assigned residence hall room or campus apartment when all individuals present are 21 or older.
b. Transport alcohol in a closed or enclosed container to their assigned room or to the assigned room of another student who is 21 or older.
c. Consume alcohol only in locations where alcohol use is authorized by the College.
3. Prohibited Alcohol-Related Conduct
The following are prohibited:
a. Possession, consumption, purchase, transportation, or distribution of alcohol by anyone under 21.
b. Providing, selling, purchasing, or distributing alcohol to anyone under 21.
c. Consumption or possession of alcohol in residence hall rooms, campus apartments, lounges, hallways, common areas, academic buildings, or other locations where alcohol is not permitted.
d. Consumption of alcohol in the presence of individuals under 21 in a residence hall room or campus apartment.
e. Intoxication that results in unsafe, disruptive, destructive, threatening, or otherwise inappropriate behavior.
f. Operating a motor vehicle, bicycle or ebike, scooter, or golf cart while impaired by alcohol or another substance.
g. Possession, use, or distribution of kegs, mini-kegs, beer balls, beer bongs, or other devices or containers designed for mass consumption of alcohol.
h. Use of trash cans, tubs, or similar containers as common-source alcohol containers.
i. Participation in drinking games or other activities involving the rapid or mass consumption of alcohol.
j. Possession or consumption of alcohol in College vans, buses, or other College-owned or operated vehicles.
k. Possession or consumption of alcohol in connection with a College-sponsored activity or event when not specifically authorized.
l. Failure to comply with a request from a College official regarding alcohol use, including requests to identify oneself, dispose of alcohol, or cease an activity.
4. Alcohol in Unauthorized Locations
a. Alcohol found in a location where its possession or consumption is prohibited may be confiscated.
b. Students responsible for prohibited alcohol may be referred through the Student Conduct Code.
5. Guests
a. Guests must comply with applicable laws and College policies.
b. The student host is responsible for the conduct of their guests and for taking reasonable steps to ensure that guests comply with this policy.
c. Students may not provide alcohol to guests who are under 21.
d. The College reserves the right to notify guardians, caregivers and/or other educational institutions that the guest belongs to when those guests violate Carroll College policy.
D. Drugs
1. General Provisions
a. Carroll College prohibits the illegal use, possession, manufacture, distribution, or sale of controlled substances and illegal drugs.
b. The College also prohibits the possession and use of marijuana in any form on College property or in connection with College activities. Although Montana law permits certain marijuana-related activities, marijuana remains prohibited on campus because it remains illegal under federal law and the College is a recipient of federal financial assistance.
c. Students must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws concerning controlled substances and drugs.
2. Prohibited Drug-Related Conduct
The following are prohibited:
a. Possession or use of illegal drugs, controlled substances, or other prohibited intoxicating substances.
b. Manufacturing, cultivating, distributing, selling, or facilitating the distribution or sale of illegal drugs or controlled substances.
c. Possession or use of marijuana in any form on College property or in connection with a College activity.
d. Misuse or non-medical use of prescription or over-the-counter medication, including using medication to become intoxicated, enhance academic or athletic performance, or for any purpose other than its intended use.
e. Possession or use of drug paraphernalia, including pipes, bongs, vaporizers, e-devices, or other equipment intended for the use of illegal drugs or controlled substances.
f. Possession or use of illegal drugs or marijuana in College vans, buses, or other College-owned or operated vehicles.
g. Knowingly permitting the use, possession, manufacture, distribution, or sale of illegal drugs in a student's assigned residence or campus apartment.
h. Conduct involving drugs that creates a health or safety risk, causes property damage, or substantially disrupts the College community.
3. Marijuana Odor and Other Evidence
a. Because marijuana is prohibited on College property, College officials may address reports or evidence of marijuana use in campus housing.
b. A persistent or readily detectable odor of marijuana may result in an inspection or other appropriate response consistent with College policy.
c. Students may be held responsible when there is sufficient information to establish that prohibited drug activity occurred in their assigned residence or campus apartment.
4. Guests
a. Guests must comply with applicable laws and College policies concerning drugs and controlled substances.
b. Student hosts may be held responsible for prohibited drug-related conduct involving their guests when the student knowingly permits or facilitates the conduct
c.The College reserves the right to notify guardians, caregivers and/or other educational institutions that the guest belongs to when those guests violate Carroll College policy.
E. Sanctions and Student Conduct
- Students who violate this policy or applicable federal, state, or local laws may be referred through the Student Conduct Code and may also be subject to criminal or civil penalties.
- College sanctions may include, but are not limited to:
a. Written warning;
b. Educational or restorative requirements;
c. Fines;
d. Probation;
e. Required counseling, assessment, or treatment;
f. Suspension; and
g. Expulsion. - Student organizations that violate this policy may be subject to sanctions, including loss or withdrawal of College recognition, funding, support, or access to College facilities and services.
- Failure to complete an assigned sanction by the stated deadline may result in additional sanctions, fines, a hold on the student's account, or other restrictions permitted by College policy.
- Students involved in the distribution, sale, manufacture, or trafficking of illegal drugs may be subject to significant disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion.
- The College will report suspected felony criminal activity to law enforcement when required by law or when otherwise determined appropriate.
F. Education, Prevention, and Treatment
- Carroll College provides alcohol and drug prevention and education programs consistent with applicable federal requirements.
- Students may access counseling, assessment, referral, and other support services through the Wellness Center.
- Students are encouraged to seek assistance when alcohol or drug use is affecting their health, academic performance, relationships, or well-being.
- When appropriate, the College may require a student to participate in an assessment, counseling, education, or treatment program as part of a student conduct resolution or other College process.
- Students who seek assistance for an alcohol- or drug-related health or safety emergency are encouraged to seek help immediately. The College's primary concern in an emergency is the health and safety of the student and others.