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Alcohol and Other Drugs

Duquesne University prohibits the unlawful use, possession, and/or distribution of drugs and alcohol both on campus in University buildings and on University property as well as off campus. As members of the Duquesne community, all students are required to observe relevant federal, state and local laws as well as the Student Code. Neither the name nor funding may be used to assist students to consume alcohol.

The drinking age in this state is 21 years or over. No person under 21 years of age is permitted to consume, transport, possess, or be in the presence of any alcoholic beverage or paraphernalia. Failure to comply will result in disciplinary action.

Residence Life Policies for Alcohol and Other Drugs

All matters relating to alcohol are governed by the Pennsylvania Liquor Code and related state statutes. As members of the general public of the Commonwealth, students are expected to have a full knowledge of these laws. As members of the resident body, students are required to observe Pennsylvania laws.

It is permissible to have beer or malt beverages in cans, wine, and liquor in individual rooms if the student is 21 years of age or older, all persons in the room are 21 years of age and older, and the alcohol has been properly registered. In no event are kegs, beer balls, bottled beer or malt beverages, boxed wine, bottled wine coolers, premixed alcohol products, or common sources of alcohol permitted in the living areas of the Living Learning Centers.

Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in St. Ann or St. Martin halls at any time. Students under the age of 21 are also prohibited from having full or empty alcohol containers and/or paraphernalia in the Living Learning Centers. This includes, but is not limited to, cans, bottles, shot glasses, and bongs/funnels.

In Assumption Hall, Duquesne Towers, Vickroy Hall and Brottier all alcoholic beverages must be registered at the front desk of the hall prior to entrance and must be in its original container with clearly marked labels. Failure to register alcoholic beverages will result in disciplinary action. Registered alcohol is intended for a student’s personal, individual use in their own private rooms. The amount of alcohol a student of legal age may sign in to the Living Learning Centers on a weekly basis is as follows:

  • One case of beer or malt beverage (cans only); or
  • One (0.75 liters) bottle of distilled spirits, i.e. whiskey, bourbon, vodka, etc.; or
  • One bottle of wine (1.5 liter)

Students may not have open containers of any kind in common areas, lounges, hallways, elevators, etc. Residence Life staff members have the right to revoke any drinking privileges at any time at their own discretion. Any alcohol or alcohol-related accessories (taps, kegs, etc.) confiscated by a Residence Life staff member will not be returned. Alcohol-related behavior which is harmful to the person consuming the alcohol or to others or which is disruptive to the community will also be considered a violation of alcohol policy.

All students, regardless of age, are responsible for their actions while drinking alcoholic beverages, including being intoxicated while being in public. Any student may be cited by a University official for public intoxication. It is to the University official’s discretion whether or not a student may be considered publicly intoxicated. Public intoxication includes, but is not limited to, endangering the safety of other students or the self.

All alcohol policy violations will result in disciplinary action including educational programming by Duquesne CARES.

The University strictly adheres to the federal and state laws, which prohibit the distribution or use of controlled substances. Students illegally possessing illicit drugs or paraphernalia, distributing or using a controlled substance will be subject to disciplinary action and possible criminal prosecution. In specific cases involving marijuana, the enforcement policy has been clarified to state that the detection of the odor of marijuana can constitute a violation. Failure to comply will result in disciplinary action and/or educational programming by Duquesne CARES.

Students who are found to possess, use or sell illicit drugs may face immediate suspension or expulsion from the University.

PLEASE NOTE: The Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) laws state that a student who has been convicted of any offense under any Federal or State law involving the possession or sale of a controlled substance shall not be eligible to receive any grant, loan, or work assistance during the period beginning on the date of such conviction and ending after the interval specified in the following table:

If convicted of an offense involving the possession of a controlled substance, the ineligibility period is:

First offense ................................... 1 year

Second offense ............................... 2 years

Third offense .................................. Indefinite

If convicted of an offense involving the sale of a controlled substance, the ineligibility period is:

First offense ................................... 2 years

Second offense ............................... Indefinite

A student whose eligibility has been suspended may resume eligibility before the end of the stated ineligibility period if: a) the student satisfactorily completes a drug rehabilitation program and passes two unannounced drug tests; or b) the conviction is reversed, set aside, or otherwise rendered nugatory.

Effective July 1, 2010, a student whose eligibility has been suspended due to a drug conviction may resume eligibility if the student successfully passes two unannounced drug tests conducted by a drug rehabilitation program.

Additional information, definitions, and specific requirements are available on the Department of Education’s website.