Before you choose to break the law, please review the risks you encounter, such as

• possible fine
• imprisonment
• criminal record
• embarrassment
• career jeopardy
• reputation jeopardy
• loss of self-esteem
• loss of job
• suspension from the University
• death

You have a responsibility to follow the laws of your city, state and nation. If you fail to live up to that responsibility, you may face certain penalties. This course of action is an option even if the victim is not a student and is not choosing to prosecute. The student discipline process can be initiated through the Office of the Dean of Students at 419-372-2843.

Underage consumption, purchasing or possession of alcohol:
The legal drinking age in Ohio for consumption of an alcoholic beverage is 21. Purchasing, possessing or consuming alcohol prior to your 21st birthday is a first-degree misdemeanor. The maximum penalties associated with this offense are six months imprisonment or a $1,000 fine or both. A 20-year-old student, therefore, risks being imprisoned and fined when he/she decides to drink alcohol at a party or elsewhere.

Providing alcohol to an underage person:
A person who furnishes alcohol to an underage person is guilty of a first-degree misdemeanor. The maximum penalty associated with this offense is six months imprisonment or $1,000 fine or both. A social host, therefore, risks being fined and imprisoned when he/she furnishes alcohol to a person he/she knows or should know is not 21 years of age.

Fake ID:
Possession or display of a fictitious operator's license is a first-degree misdemeanor. The offense includes mere possession of a fictitious license or display of someone else's valid operator's license. The maximum penalties for this offense are six months imprisonment or a $1,000 fine or both. Moreover, if the fictitious operator's license is utilized to purchase alcohol or enter an establishment that serves alcohol, the minimum fine must be at least $250 and the person displaying the fictitious operator's license may have his/her valid operator's license suspended for three years.

Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs (OVI):
In Ohio, a person may not operate a motor vehicle if he/she is impaired by alcohol and/or drugs. The maximum penalty for operating a vehicle while under the influence is six months imprisonment (mandatory at least three days in jail) or a $1,000 fine (a mandatory minimum fine of $250) or both. In addition, the operator must forfeit his/her driving privileges for six months.

Open container:
It is illegal to possess in public an open container of an alcoholic beverage. Conviction of this offense carries a maximum penalty of a $100 fine. Consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle is a fourth-degree misdemeanor with maximum penalties of 30 days imprisonment or a $250 fine or both.

Disorderly conduct:
Disorderly conduct while intoxicated is a minor misdemeanor and carries a maximum penalty of a $100 fine. Disorderly conduct occurs when one recklessly causes inconvenience, annoyance or alarm to another due to offensive conduct.

Think before you drink...
Before you choose to break the law, please review the risks you encounter, namely possible fine, imprisonment, criminal record, embarrassment, career jeopardy, reputation jeopardy, loss of self-esteem, loss of job, suspension from the University, serious medical conditions or possible death.

More information about laws governing the sale and possession of alcohol and other drugs, as well as penalties for violations of these laws, may be obtained from the BGSU Department of Public Safety, Student Legal Services, the Jerome Library or the City of Bowling Green Police Division.

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Sanction plan minimum guidelines

University policy prohibits:

• The use, possession, or distribution of illegal drugs, including the use or possession of drug paraphernalia containing illegal drug residue.
• The use, possession, or distribution of alcoholic beverages, except as expressly permitted by the law and University regulations.

When a student and/or student organization is found responsible for violating the alcohol policy and/or procedures, any or all of the following sanctions may be imposed. Students who already have Code of Conduct violations may receive more severe sanctions. Sanctions may also be enhanced based on the severity of the behavior and the impact on the community.

*Disruptive alcohol violations in residential units

First Violation

• • Referral to the University level
  • University Disciplinary Probation for one year
  • Individual counseling with a certified Chemical Dependency Counselor ($200 fee)
  • Parental Notification

Second Violation

• • Referral to the Office of the Dean of Students
  • Suspension from residential housing with possible suspension from the University

IF SUSPENDED:

• • • Documentation of the completion of an alcohol assessment/treatment program is required for consideration of re-admission
    • University Disciplinary Probation upon return to the University
    • Monthly meetings with Associate or Assistant Dean of Students upon return

IF NOT SUSPENDED:

• • • Meet and follow through with recommendations of a certified Chemical Dependency Counselor on campus
    • University Probation
    • Monthly meetings with Associate or Assistant Dean of Students

Disruptive alcohol violations in locations other than residential units

First Violation

• • Referral to the Office of the Dean of Students
  • University Disciplinary Probation for one year
  • Individual counseling with a certified Chemical Dependency Counselor ($200 fee)
  • Parental Notification

Second Violation

• • Referral to the Office of the Dean of Students
  • Possible suspension from the University

IF SUSPENDED:

• • • Documentation of the completion of an alcohol assessment/treatment program is required for consideration of re-admission
    • University Disciplinary Probation upon return to the University
    • Monthly meetings with Associate or Assistant Dean of Students upon return

IF NOT SUSPENDED:

• • • Meet and follow through with recommendations of a certified Chemical Dependency Counselor on campus
    • University Probation
    • Monthly meetings with Associate or Assistant Dean of Students

*A combination of one "non-disruptive" alcohol violation and one "disruptive" alcohol violation will result in a sanction plan developed by the hearing officer based on the specific facts of the case and the Sanction Plan for the University alcohol policy.

Non-Disruptive alcohol violations in residential units

First Violation

• Residential Disciplinary Probation for one year
• Participation in Viewpoints Alcohol Education Class ($75 fee)

Second Violation

• Referral to the University level
• University Disciplinary Probation for one year
• Alcohol Screening to determine whether participation will be required in Perspectives Alcohol Education Class ($100 fee) or individual counseling with a certified Chemical Dependency Counselor ($200 fee)
• Parental Notification

Third Violation

• Referral to the Office of the Dean of Students
• Suspension from residential housing with possible suspension from the University

IF SUSPENDED:

• Documentation of the completion of an alcohol assessment/treatment program required for consideration of re-admission University Disciplinary
• Probation upon return to the University
• Monthly meetings with Associate or Assistant Dean of Students upon return

IF NOT SUSPENDED:

• Meet and follow through with recommendations of a certified Chemical Dependency Counselor on campus
• University Disciplinary Probation
• Monthly meetings with Associate or Assistant Dean of Students

Non-disruptive alcohol violations in locations other than residential units

First Violation

• Referral to the Office of the Dean of Students
• University Warning for one year
• Participation in Perspectives Alcohol Education Class ($100 fee)
• If already attended Perspectives, must meet with a certified Chemical Dependency Counselor ($200 fee)

Second Violation

• Referral to the Office of the Dean of Students
• University Disciplinary Probation for one year
• Alcohol screening and meetings with certified Chemical Dependency Counselor ($200 fee)
• Parental Notification

Third Violation

• Referral to the Office of the Dean of Students
• Possible suspension from the University

  IF SUSPENDED :

  • Documentation of the completion of an alcohol assessment/treatment program is required for consideration of re-admission
  • University probation upon return to the University
  • Monthly meetings with Associate or Assistant Dean of Students upon return

  IF NOT SUSPENDED:

  • Meet and follow through with recommendations of a certified Chemical Dependency Counselor
  • University Probation
  • Monthly meetings with Associate or Assistant Dean of Students