Underage drinking is remarkably common, especially within American colleges. A big discussion in this regard is what responsibility a college or other educational facility has in preventing or taking responsibility for underage drinking.
This blog will serve as a brief introduction to the responsibilities that schools have when it comes to addressing underage drinking.
The responsibility of a college
Colleges are known to accept responsibility for student welfare, in part because while students are technically adults, they are adjusting to life without family support for the first time. When it comes to drinking, the law states that colleges must do the following:
- Give students information about the law on underage drinking
- Create institutional punishments for breaking any laws or campus rules
- Educate on the health risks that alcohol consumption carries
- Create programs aimed at those who have problems with alcohol abuse
Underage drinking regulations in colleges
Many schools have strict disciplinary codes that are put in place in an attempt to prevent underage drinking. Schools know that a full ban on alcohol is not very realistic, but instead put in measures that mean alcohol on campus is more regulated and controlled. Schools may ban kegs or make drinking in certain places on campus forbidden, for instance.
Legal assistance
Some schools and colleges may require legal assistance when administering their campus-based penalties and punishments for underage drinking. It can be helpful to gain advice from an attorney when dealing with these issues.
Source: FindLaw, “Underage drinking laws and school policies,” accessed July 27, 2017
