Alcohol Law 101

Alcoho-law 101 for students in residence

Moving away from home, maybe for the first time, can be a very exciting time in a student’s life; meeting new friends, going to new places, and experiencing new opportunities. For some students, one new opportunity might be drinking alcohol. The University of Windsor (U of W), like all campuses across Canada has a responsibility to set policies and by-laws. The U of W promotes responsible choices for students around the issues related to alcohol.

The U of W has both a Campus Alcohol Policy and a Residence Alcohol Policy.

Here are some of the highlights for students living in or visiting a residence:

• Alcohol can only be consumed by persons of legal age, 19 and over
• No underage drinking
• Alcohol cannot be consumed in public areas, like hallways, stairways, parking lots, lounges, etc.
• If a student is 19 years of age or older, they can consume alcohol in their room
• No room crawls or drinking games
• No large volume containers like Kegs, Bubbas, or Texas Mickies, etc.
• Violating the alcohol policy is a ‘sanctionable behaviour’ and subject to University of Windsor by-law rulings, and may include charges under the provinces’ Liquor Licence Act.

Can I take my drink outside the University pub?

Alcohol is not permitted to be removed from a licensed premise. If you take your drink outside of the pub, the Campus Police can sanction you under the University’s bylaws, or charge you with a provincial offense.

Is my buddy drunk?

What is public intoxication?
Anyone who is drunk in public and causes a disturbance, indecent exhibition, loiters, etc., can be sanctioned by the Campus Police under the University’s bylaws, or can be charged with a provincial offense.

How can I tell if a person is intoxicated?
Smart Serve Ontario is an organization that provides responsible alcohol beverage training. Here is their list of signs of intoxication to watch for:

• Fumbling
• Change in speech, like volume or pace
• Slurred speech
• Red eyes
• Excessive sweating
• Decreased alertness
• Stumbling or weaving
• Noticeable shallow breathing
• Sleepiness

Sources: APOLNET, Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario
 

What about underage friends who visit me in my parent's home?
 
It is illegal for anyone, even an adult, to serve alcohol to your underage friends while in your home. So, if you and your underage roommate go home for a holiday weekend, neither you nor your parents, can serve alcohol to your roommate.

Under the Liquor License Act, if you are found guilty of selling or supplying alcohol to an underage youth, you are subject to a fine of up to $2,000 and a jail sentence of up to one year.

What are the laws about carrying alcohol?

It is legal, for persons 19 years and over, to carry sealed, unopened alcohol in their vehicle. If the alcohol has been opened, or put into a different container, it can only be carried in the vehicle, if it is secured and out of reach of everyone in the vehicle, like in the trunk.

What is the legal drinking age in Ontario?  

 You must be 19 years of age to consume alcohol in Ontario. If you consume alcohol and are underage, the U of W Campus Police can sanction you under the University’s bylaws, or charge you with a provincial offense. What is the legal drinking age in the U.S.? You must be 21 years of age to consume alcohol in the U.S. If you are nineteen or twenty years of age, you can legally consume alcohol in Ontario, but when in the U.S., you must follow state laws. In the State of Michigan, if convicted of underage drinking, the penalty varies from a fine of $100 to $500, attending abuse treatment, completing community service and possible jail time of up to 60 days, depending on your criminal history.