With Ohio University’s Halloween weekend quickly approaching, students should be informed of their rights in regard to alcoholic beverages.
Evan Wilkof, Ohio University Police Department community relations officer, said if an underage person is caught with alcohol or trying to purchase alcohol, he or she will receive a mandatory court summons for a misdemeanor.
“While (these crimes) are both misdemeanors, it does kind of throw a wrench in your schedule with you having to go to court,” Wilkof said. “It's not a simple paying of a fine online.”
According to Ohio Revised Code Section 4301.69, no person can sell beer or intoxicating liquor to an underage person. However, underage people are legally allowed to consume alcohol if given by a physician, for a religious purpose or if given by a legal guardian or spouse of legal age.
On the university side, University Policy 24.001 says any student of legal age and on campus is allowed to consume alcohol in the privacy of their room or designated areas.
The sale of alcohol is also allowed on campus with a permit from the Ohio Department of Commerce's Division of Liquor Control, but university funds are not allowed to be used for this purpose.
If students or student organizations violate this policy or state or local laws, they may be referred to the Office of Community Standards and Student Responsibility and subjected to discipline.
“(Community Standards) goal is to correct their behavior,” Wilkof said. “It's not a punishment, but a learning opportunity. Our office provides services and education, and we'll work through the situation at the time. Then afterward, Community Standards is like a follow up after your head's in a better space.”
To prepare for the potential influx of underage drinking and other violations on Halloween weekend, OUPD will partner with the Athens Police Department, request resources and additional officers from neighboring cities and use the Green Jacket Program.
The Green Jacket Program allows the university’s faculty and staff to volunteer to walk designated areas equipped with a flashlight, a two-way radio and an OU staff jacket.
“We never want (Green Jack Program) to interject in a way that would place themselves in harm's way,” Wilkof said. “If they see a fight happening, there's only so many officers of us driving around or walking around. They serve as additional coverage.”
OUPD finds it easier to identify suspects during Halloween weekend because students are wearing costumes.
“Sometimes we've gotten calls before that says there's a yellow banana beating up Luigi or a Spider-Man is in a fight with a UPS driver,” Wilkof said. “It provides a little bit more clarity for identifying people.”
Wilkof said it is a myth that underage, drunken students will receive immunity if they report an overdose or alcohol poisoning. However, it is still important to report these incidents.
“There's been a number of tragedies around the country and at the university with students dying from not receiving medical care because of alcohol poisoning,” Wilkof said. “We will work on any warnings or violations later, but that's not our main concern”
Wilkof said the best thing to do when the police come is to be cooperative and honest with them.
“While we're trying to identify them, if they flee, we will catch them,” Wilkof said. “It adds to what could potentially be a warning.”
Wilkof feels the best advice he can offer for any weekend that involves drinking is to have guests keep a sticky note or some other piece of paper with the hosts' residential and contact information.
“If they have no idea of where they're supposed to be, what their friend's name is, if they drank too much, we have no choice but to take them to jail,” Wilkof said.
Wilkof said having the note saves both the individual and the officer the headache of having to take them to jail and allows the person to return to their host.
“We are obligated to find them some care, whether it's a hospital, friend or jail,” Wilkof said. “We can't just walk away because if they then stumble and fall into the street and get hit by a car, that's a big deal. We need to make sure that they are in someone else's hands for care.”
At a Student Senate meeting Sept. 24, Senate President Dan Gordillo emphasized the importance of making smart decisions and providing safety tips regarding drinking.
“Most people are going to turn 21 in their college years,” Gordillo said. “Now, it is important; therefore, to educate that newly 21-year-olds how to engage with alcohol safely, so that way when they do engage with alcohol, they're not getting themselves arrested.”
Gordillo said the most important thing to do with alcohol is to know the laws, especially the designated outdoor refreshment area or DORA laws.
“(DORA laws) are sometimes a little bit tricky,” Gordillo said. “The biggest thing that I touched on is BORGs are considered open containers. Borgs are very popular… and I think people deserve to know that they can make an informed decision about how they're going to transport alcohol to and from whatever area they’re going to.”
Gordillo said it is also important to consider every aspect before people begin drinking due to the fact a person is still held responsible for anything done while drinking and is still held to the OU Student Handbook if off campus.
“I'm not telling you to hole up in your dorm halls,” Gordillo said. “I'm not telling you to hide in the little ball. I’m telling you to make responsible choices and be smart.”
