Possession and Use of Alcoholic Beverages by Students Policy - Northern Michigan University

Possession and Use of Alcoholic Beverages by Students

No students shall illegally consume, possess*, manufacture or distribute alcoholic beverages on University premises except as permitted by University policy.

*Possess: Under Michigan law it is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to purchase or attempt to purchase, consume or possess, or have any bodily content of alcohol.

In order to promote the health and safety of students, NMU has adopted a Medical Amnesty Policy.

Residence Halls and Apartments

The use, possession, and consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in University residence halls except as provided in this policy.  The University may designate residence halls and apartments, or areas within residence halls or apartments, which are reserved for upperclassmen and students 21 years of age and older, as places in which the use, possession, and consumption of alcoholic beverages is permitted under the following conditions:

• Alcohol (except kegs of beer and other common sources of alcohol which are specifically prohibited under this policy) may be used, possessed, and consumed within the designated residence hall(s) in the privacy of the resident's room by the resident and by invited guests, all of whom must be 21 years of age or older.
• Alcohol (except kegs of beer and other common sources of alcohol which are specifically prohibited under this policy) may be used, possessed, and consumed by residents of University-owned apartments who are 21 years of age or older and their invited guests who are 21 years of age or older within the confines of their assigned apartments in compliance with state law.
• Alcohol may be used, possessed, and consumed by residents of designated residence halls and on-campus apartments and their invited guests, all of whom must be 21 years of age or older, in the designated area where alcohol is permitted.
• The official student governing organization and the Resident Director of a residence hall or Woodland Park which has a living unit that has been designated as a place where alcohol may be used, possessed, and consumed, may establish a "common area," excluding the main lobby. Alcoholic beverages may be possessed and consumed in this "common area" by the residents of such living units and their invited guests at group sponsored functions that have been approved by the respective student governing organization and the Director of Housing and Residence Life or designee, subject to the following conditions and in compliance with state law:
  • Alcoholic beverages may not be sold or given away.
  • Residents and their invited guests who are 21 years of age or older may consume only their own alcoholic beverages.
  • Beer kegs and other common sources of alcohol are prohibited.
  • No open containers of alcohol may be transported from a resident's room or apartment to any other area of the building.
  • Persons under 21 years of age are not permitted to use, possess, or consume alcoholic beverages.

The Director of Housing and Residence Life, or designee, may determine at any time that the privilege of use, possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages in a living unit, designated area, or common area has been abused, whereupon the privilege shall be suspended in that living unit, designated area, or common area until reinstated (with or without special conditions) by the Director of Housing and Residence Life, or designee. The privilege of use, possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages in designated residence halls during summer sessions or periods when the University is not in session may be suspended irrespective of a determination of abuse.

Other Areas

Alcoholic beverages may be used in other areas designated by the University as areas in which consumption of alcoholic beverages is permitted upon such terms and conditions as may be established by the President or designee.

Prohibited Areas

Use of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in all areas of the Northern Michigan University campus and field stations except as permitted under this regulation and the University’s Class C Liquor License.