Underage Alcohol Consumption Policies at Saint Louis University

Reaching the age of 21 is a rite of passage in America. Turning 21 is a symbol of emerging into adulthood. For the first time, a person who is 21 can legally buy alcohol and go to events that are exclusively for those who are 21 years or older. A world of possibility becomes accessible the day someone turns 21. For many students on college campuses, all the 21stbirthday means is unobstructed access to a substance used far before their state ID indicates they are of age to obtain alcohol.

The allure of alcohol and drugs in society is evident throughout college campuses in the United States. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism says,

“According to a national survey, almost 53 percent of full-time college students ages 18 to

22 drank alcohol in the past month and about 33% engaged in binge drinking during that time frame.” (SAMHSA, 2019)

Evidence from the national survey conducted by SAMHSA, alcohol serves as a cornerstone in the daily decisions of a college student. Colleges across the country are aware of the prevalence of alcohol and drugs on their campuses. Colleges attempt to enact policies regarding when a student is allowed to drink alcohol and the consequences for those who are found in violation of those policies.

Underage drinking on any college campus in the United States is a common sight. Despite efforts to curb the use of underage drinking, students will find avenues to obtain alcohol while ensuring they remain hidden from school officials. However careful students might be when hiding their alcohol use, many students will not always be able to successfully do so.

The Saint Louis University 2021 Annual Fire and Security Report is a document that includes SLU’s policies and procedures for the 2021-22 school year. Page 18 of the Fire and Security Report indicates that SLU abides by state mandates and local ordinances that prohibit the purchase or possession of alcohol while under the age of 21. SLU’s Alcohol and Drug policy states,

“In observance of the laws of Missouri in local ordinances, no person under the age of 21 May purchase or attempt to purchase, or have in their possession, or use any alcoholic or intoxicating beverage on campus or at university activities” (Annual Fire and Security Report, Page 18)

Despite SLU’s policies regarding underage use of alcohol, the report indicates 355 students in 2019 received disciplinary action after being found in violation of SLU’s Drug and Alcohol policies. In 2020, 258 SLU students received disciplinary action after violating SLU’s Alcohol and Drugs policies. Underage alcohol use at SLU is the most common offense that necessitates disciplinary action. Mike Parkinson is the Clery Compliance Officer for the SLU Department of Public Safety. Parkinson attributes SLU’s high numbers of alcohol policy violations to the Missouri law that the stomach acts as a vessel. Parkinson says,

“If you compare us to other Jesuit schools such as Marquette University in Wisconsin, you are going to see that they only have 25 or 50 cases. They don’t have the stomach is your vessel laws.”

The high numbers of alcohol policy violations is indicative of the widespread use of alcohol on campus at SLU. Parkinson explains that SLU has no jurisdiction regarding off campus drinking and the statistics of alcohol violations comes only from students who are caught on campus. The moment a student sets foot on campus property, they are subject to SLU’s authority such as SLU DPS.

Katie Ross is a resident advisor at one of SLU’s on-campus resident halls. Ross is in charge of overseeing the residents of floor five in Fusz Hall and is knowledgeable on matters pertaining to SLU’s procedures for reporting students who violate any of SLU’s policies. After isolating individuals found in possession of Alcohol, Ross will contact SLU DPS. After assisting SLU DPS with providing any information on the situation, Ross will write a formal report to the Office of Student Conduct and Community standards outlining what happened. Ross says,

“The office will conduct a hearing with the individuals involved. If the individuals are found guilty, they will be issued a punishment. Sometimes they have to write an essay but they will most likely have to take a class.”

The disciplinary measures a student faces after violating the alcohol policies are important because they are a chance for the university to explain to the student why the alcohol policies are in place. A student at SLU who wishes to stay anonymous was found in violation of SLU’s policies. The SLU student said,

“After the conduct hearing, I had to take a two-hour class and I also had to write an essay. The school also wrote on my transcript that I violated the school’s alcohol policies. They took it off my transcript after a year though.”

The anonymous SLU student explains how they found the disciplinary actions to be useless as she knows other students who have continued drinking on campus even after being found to violate SLU’s policies.

SLU’s Annual Fire and Security Report includes set guidelines the university has in place regarding responses to policy violations. The report is a valuable resource for examining the issues which are most prevalent in the SLU community. Policies regarding alcohol violations are explicitly stated and shed light on how widespread underage drinking is on the SLU campus. However, the report is does not indicate the effectiveness of SLU’s policies. The report is meant to highlight the biggest challenges the campus faces in ensuring the well-being of the SLU community. Only the SLU community can decide how they should respond to the information the report provides.