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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.
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.
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, the Jerome Library or the City of Bowling Green Police Division.
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
A disruptive alcohol violation occurs when alcohol is present in conjunction with behavior that is disruptive to the community,
endangers health or safety of others, or results in damage or vandalism to University property or property of members of the
University community.
First Violation:
- Immediate referral to Office of Student Life
- University probation
- Participation in Perspectives Alcohol Education Class ($65 fee)
Second Violation:
- Suspension from the University
- Documentation of complete alcohol assessment/treatment program required for consideration of re-admission
- University probation upon return
Disruptive alcohol violations in locations other than residential units
First Violation:
- Immediate referral to Office of Student Life
- University probation
- Participation in Perspectives Alcohol Education Class ($65 fee)
Second Violation:
- Suspension from the University
- Documentation of complete alcohol assessment/treatment program required for consideration of re-admission
- University probation upon return
*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
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