Alcohol Regulations
All spaces within the college's residence halls and houses are considered either "private" or "common." Private spaces include student bedrooms with a closed door in all college residence halls and houses. Common spaces include student bedrooms with an open door; the exterior walkways, parking areas and grounds of the college; building entries, lobbies, balconies, bathrooms, hallways, kitchens, lounges, living rooms, porches, stairways, study rooms and laundry rooms; and any other areas accessible to all members of the Wheaton community, except those areas specifically listed under the "private" category.
- Persons under 21 years of age may not keep, consume or transport alcohol in any college residence hall, house or other college building, in common space or private spaces, or on any college grounds. This means that, if none of the residents of a room is of legal drinking age, no one (including guests of legal drinking age) is permitted to keep or consume alcohol in that room.
- Persons 21 years of age or older may keep and consume alcohol in private spaces.
- Persons 21 years of age or older may keep and consume alcohol in designated common spaces, but only during registered events.
- Persons 21 years of age or older are prohibited from purchasing alcoholic beverages for or distributing alcoholic beverages to persons under 21 years of age or persons who are intoxicated.
- Persons 21 years of age or older living in houses may consume alcohol in common spaces. (This does not include outdoor areas.)
- No person may keep or transport a common source* of alcohol in a college residence hall, house, other college building or on any college grounds unless it has been approved as part of a registered event in a designated common space.
- Use of funnels and the playing of all drinking games is prohibited.
- Public intoxication and any resultant problematic behavior is a violation of the college's alcohol policy and will result in disciplinary action by the college.
- Possession of open containers of any kind containing alcohol in college buildings or on college grounds is prohibited except at registered events in designated spaces.
* A common source of alcohol is considered to be the equivalent of more than one 30-pack (30 12-ounce bottles or cans) of beer or malt liquor, more than 1.5 liters of wine, more than 750ml of liquor, or any combination of alcoholic beverages with a total amount that exceeds the maximum allowed quantities listed above. Kegs, beerballs and boxed wine are also considered common sources. The mandatory fine for possession of a common source of alcohol is $100.
August 2007