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Campus Security
Alcohol Policy
The University is dedicated to providing a healthy, comfortable and productive environment for students, faculty, staff, and guests. All members of the University community are expected to maintain self-control. Conduct should be consistent with ideals of academic excellence, health and responsible social behavior, including recognition of the rights of others. In recognition of the University's being owned by the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church, community members are urged to adhere to the Social Principles of the United Methodist Church which states:
We affirm our long-standing support of abstinence from alcohol as a faithful witness to God's liberating and redeeming love for persons. Since the use of alcohol and illegal drugs is a major factor in crime, disease, death and family dysfunction, we support educational programs encouraging abstinence from such use. (The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church, para.66j).
It is also recognized that Southern Methodist University is a community of free and open inquiry in which adults are encouraged to make responsible decisions in their lives, including abstinence from or careful use of alcohol. The University recognizes the freedom of conscience that determines such issues, but cautions that such freedom does not imply license to violate the law or university policy.
Texas State Law
All members of the University community should at all times be cognizant of and comply with state and local liquor laws. It is unlawful in the state of Texas for any person under the age of 21 to possess, purchase, or drink alcoholic beverages, except when with either a parent or adult spouse. Providing alcoholic beverages to minors other than where the law provides is prohibited. A violation of this policy subjects the offender(s) to internal disciplinary and/or law enforcement action.
Possession and Consumption
The University prohibits the possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages on campus, with the exception of adult individual residential rooms and during certain special events such as official University receptions and in specified areas on home football game days. For both exceptions, those individuals possessing and consuming the alcoholic beverages must be 21 years of age or older. Kegs and other similar containers - including, but not limited to, 1/2 kegs, party balls or pony kegs - are not permitted anywhere on campus. Various functions sponsored by the Office of Development will continue to operate under special policies.
SMU is located within the city of University Park, Texas, which is a "dry" area. By statute, dry area means it is illegal to sell alcoholic beverages in University Park. In addition, transportation and/or possession of more that 24 12-ounce bottles of beer or more than one quart of hard liquor, is considered prima facie evidence of intent to sell, and, therefore, evidence that the law has been violated. Alcoholic beverages that are transported into a dry area may not be transported back out of the dry area.
University Education Programs
The Southern Methodist University Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention, Education and Intervention Program philosophy is rooted on the premise that problems associated with the use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs transcend individual responsibility. We believe that the community in which it occurs shares in the responsibility for its prevalence to the extent it accepts, condones and enables individual and group behavior that is supportive of the use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs. An extension of this philosophy is the firm belief that communities have the responsibility to take ownership of the problem, identify effective responses and institutionalize these responses. It is within this philosophical framework that we developed the program at SMU.
Center for Alcohol & Drug Abuse Prevention
Memorial Health Center, 2nd Floor
6211 Bishop Boulevard
P.O. Box 750195
Dallas, Texas 75275-0195
ph. 214-768-4021
The Memorial Health Center is located at 6211 Bishop Blvd on the SMU Campus, just to the north of the Meadows School of the Arts and south of the Umphrey-Lee Center.
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. - Monday through Friday
The Center offers several Substance Abuse Education Classes to include AlcoholEdu for College, E-Toke, Marijuana 101 (online), 'Because I Care' and other on campus and off campus (state-certified) classes. The university has created a Task Force on Substance Abuse Prevention, as well as supporting a peer-education program called BACCHUS (Boosting Alcohol Consciousness Concerning the Health of University Students). A 'Live Responsibly" campaign was started in 2007 establishing a dedicated website for information related to alcohol and drug abuse, as well as other emergency and medical resources.
For more information regarding the Center for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Preventions and related programming, visit http://www.smu.edu/healthcenter/alcoholeducation.
Additional information regarding Drug Free Schools and Campus Act/Penalties for Drug and Alcohol Offenses can be found at:
Drug Free Schools and Campus Act: http://www.smu.edu/healthcenter/alcoholeducation/adp_drugfreeinfo.asp
Penalties for Drug and Alcohol Offenses: http://www.smu.edu/healthcenter/alcoholeducation/adp_drugfreedetails.asp
