Introduction

The Wheaton College policy on alcohol and drugs complies with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Town of Norton, as well as with federal legislation that requires the College to provide alcohol and drug prevention programs for students.

Wheaton College seeks to ensure the health and well-being of all members of the Wheaton Community. Wheaton’s policy on alcohol and drugs reflects the College’s commitment to:

  • educate students to the health risks associated with the use of alcohol and drugs
  • provide confidential counseling and/or referral for individuals concerned about their own substance abuse, as well as those affected by the drug use of others
  • inform students of the applicable legal sanctions under federal, state, and local laws for the unlawful possession or distribution of alcohol and illicit drugs
  • prohibit the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of alcohol and illicit drugs on College property or at College-sponsored events

The Risk to Personal Health and Well-Being

The irresponsible use or abuse of alcohol and drugs is dangerous and can lead to addiction, psychological dependence, and serious physical health problems. Abuse is also harmful in other ways as it can negatively impact relationships with family, peers, and other important support structures.  Substance abuse often results in reduced academic, athletic, and work performance, and it increases the risk to personal safety because of the effect it can have on personal judgment and reaction time.

Education

The College provides regular programs of education and information for students on the risks associated with the use of drugs and ways for individuals to seek assistance for themselves and others. Programs are sponsored in collaboration with Health Services, the Counseling Center, Athletics, the Office of Residential Life, and other college and community resources.

Wheaton College considers both the welfare of its students and compliance with state and local laws to be of central importance. The policy of the College is to help anyone who is seeking assistance with a substance abuse problem. Anyone seeking assistance, advice, or information may approach the Residential Life staff, Campus Safety officers, Counseling Services, Health Services, the Dean of Students office, or existing peer support groups without fear of student conduct action by the College.

SAMM (Safety Always Matters Most)

At Wheaton College, we value a healthy community and recognize that alcohol can be dangerous when abused, therefore we encourage students to make good choices.  However, we recognize that some students choose to drink, and in these situations, we believe that Safety Always Matters Most (SAMM).  This is the philosophy and lens through which we hold all alcohol-related discussions.

The College believes that student health and safety is a responsibility shared by all members of the Wheaton community and that our obligation as a community is to act with care and respect for each other; this is the embodiment of the SAMM philosophy. Towards that end, students who seek appropriate help due to an incident of intoxication (alcohol or other intoxicants) either for themselves or for other students generally will not be subject to the Student Conduct Process.  SAMM does not apply when the student does not seek to obtain help in addressing the alcohol or other intoxicant use at the time of the concern.

In order for SAMM to apply, the alleged student will meet with a Conduct Officer to discuss the incident and action steps for the student to reflect and learn from the situation to mitigate future incidents involving intoxication.  Following the meeting, the student will be informed of the required educational sanctions, which may include but are not limited to educational activities and/or participation in an alcohol assessment.  The steps will depend on the nature of the incident and the level of concern for the student’s health and safety.  Serious or repeated incidents will prompt a higher degree of concern.  If the educational sanctions are completed within the required time and the student demonstrates a genuine motivation, effort, and commitment to address their use of alcohol (or other intoxicant), the student will not be subject to the Student Conduct Process with respect to the College’s Alcohol Policy.

The student’s failure to comply with the meeting with the Conduct Officer, or completion of the required educational sanctions and follow-up in a timely manner, will result in a formal Conduct Review Meeting, outlined in the Student Conduct Process.

It should be noted that SAMM does not exempt students from any criminal, civil, or legal consequences of their behavior.

Alcohol Policy

The policies outlined below attempt to reduce many of the risky situations that accompany alcohol use, keeping safety foremost in choices related to alcohol use while complying with state and local regulations:

  • Persons under 21 years of age may not possess or consume alcohol, including having other students regardless of age possessing or consuming alcohol in their assigned room.
  • No person over the age of 21 may possess or consume alcohol in any place other than their assigned room, or an assigned room of another student who is over the age of 21, unless it is a college event where alcohol is permitted in the event guidelines.
  • Persons 21 years of age or older may not purchase or distribute alcoholic beverages to persons under 21 years of age.
  • No person or room may possess a common source of alcohol, defined as kegs, beer balls, boxed wine, or any other source of alcohol that can be distributed or consumed by multiple people.
  • No person may use or possess funnels, tables used for beer pong, or other drinking game paraphernalia. Possession or use of these items, or any other drinking game paraphernalia is a violation of this policy whether or not alcohol is involved.
  • Excessive consumption and/or presenting signs of intoxication, including not being able to care for oneself due to alcohol consumption, are not permitted.
  • Students may not keep empty alcohol containers as decoration in campus residences.

Drug Policy

The policies outlined below attempt to reduce many of the risky situations that accompany illicit drug use, keeping safety foremost in choices related to drug use while complying with federal, state, and local regulations:

  • The unlawful possession and/or use of controlled substances is prohibited on College property and at College-sponsored events.
  • The cultivation or distribution of marijuana and any controlled substances is strictly prohibited.
  • The use, possession, distribution, or cultivation of marijuana for medical or recreational purposes is prohibited on campus, including the residence halls and theme houses; nor is it allowed at any College-sponsored event or activity off campus.
  • The misuse of medication or prescription drugs, including opiates/painkillers and other psychoactive drugs, is prohibited. This includes possession or consumption of medication or prescription drugs by someone other than the person on the prescription, consumption of more than the recommended dose, sharing prescriptions, or the consumption of prescriptions for a reason other than the intended use.
  • The use and possession of drug paraphernalia are prohibited in any Wheaton College residence hall or on any other premises; nor is it allowed at any College-sponsored event or activity off campus or any Student Organization event or activity. Drug paraphernalia includes, but is not limited to any product which its intended use is for drug consumption (i.e. bong or pipe) or preparation for consumption (i.e. grinders and rolling papers).

Enforcement

Responsibility for compliance with the college’s alcohol and drug policies rests with each member of the Wheaton community. Specific responsibilities for policy enforcement are as follows:

  • Individual students are responsible for activities that occur within the privacy of their rooms and are expected to take responsibility for their residence hall/house environment.
  • The Student Affairs staff will intervene as appropriate when confronted with violations of this policy and will respond in any area (including student rooms) when there is evidence of violations, or when related behavior infringes upon the rights of other members of the college community or jeopardizes the health or well-being of any individual.
    • Campus Safety officers, Residential Life staff, and/or members of the Dean of Students Office, as agents of the college, will investigate alleged violations of policies and regulations. Areas of jurisdiction include all grounds and property of the college.
  • Student(s) alleged to have violated the policies listed above will be referred to the Student Conduct Process. Behavior associated with the use of controlled substances is not considered a mitigating factor when it leads to other infractions of Community Standards and other college policies, it is considered a separate alleged violation.
    • Depending on the situation, the matter may also be referred to local law enforcement and is subject to referral for prosecution, independent of the College’s Student Conduct Process.

Wheaton College Resources

Students concerned about their substance abuse or are affected by the substance abuse of others, have access to campus resources.  The Counseling Center provides confidential opportunities to seek assistance and support both on campus and by accessing local substance abuse opportunities.  Additionally, other campus resources such as Health Services, Residential Life, and the Dean of Students Office are available to provide support, outreach, and education.

  • Residential Life Office: 508-286-8214
  • Counseling Center: 508-286-3905
  • Dean of Students Office: 508-286-8218
  • Health Services: 508-285-9500