SA - Residence Life Social Event Policy

I. Purpose and Philosophy

Wilmington College supports safe, responsible, and respectful social gatherings. This policy applies to all non-college-sponsored, student-coordinated social gatherings within residence halls, campus apartments, and outdoor residential spaces.

All gatherings must remain free of harassment, discrimination, violence, and sexual misconduct. The College actively discourages and sanctions the irresponsible use of alcohol. In compliance with Ohio law and the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act, the consumption of alcohol by individuals under the age of 21 is strictly prohibited.

II. Definitions

• Social Gathering: Any assembly of individuals in a residential space for a social purpose.

• Host: The assigned resident(s) of the specific room or apartment where the gathering takes place.

• Guest: Any individual present in a residential space who is not officially assigned to that specific room or apartment.

III. General Responsibilities & Individual Accountability

• Host Responsibility: Hosts are legally and operationally responsible for the conduct of their guests, ensuring full compliance with all College policies and local laws. Hosts are financially accountable for any policy violations, structural damages, or disturbances caused by their guests.

• Individual Student Accountability: A host’s liability does not absolve visiting students of their own actions. Wilmington College students are always held individually responsible for their own behavior, regardless of the setting or whose residence they are visiting.

• Roommate Agreement: All assigned residents of a room or apartment must mutually agree before hosting any social gathering in their shared space.

• Right to Privacy: Social gatherings must never infringe upon a roommate's or neighbor's fundamental right to a quiet environment conducive to studying and sleeping.

IV. Gathering Limits & Capacity Restrictions

To ensure student safety, gatherings are categorized into two tiers based on structural capacity:

• Indoor Gatherings: Small, spontaneous gatherings (e.g., friends watching a movie) do not require registration or permits, provided they remain strictly within the maximum occupancy limits listed above and adhere to all campus noise and alcohol policies.

• Large Indoor Socials: Any indoor social gathering that anticipates or exceeds the maximum occupancy limits outlined above is strictly prohibited in individual residence hall rooms, suites, or apartments.

• Outdoor Socials: Informal outdoor gatherings do not require an event permit. However, all attendees must comply with local laws and campus regulations regarding noise, the Student Code of Conduct, and alcohol. Large-scale outdoor events may be subject to additional event-management protocols as determined by Campus Safety. Paid security details are not required for student-coordinated residential gatherings.

V. Alcohol and Controlled Substances

If a residential gathering meets all age requirements to possess alcohol (pursuant to the campus Alcohol Policy), the following risk-reduction measures are strictly enforced:

• Identification: Hosts are required to verify the legal drinking age (21+) of any guest consuming alcohol.

• Wristbands?

• Common Sources Prohibited: Common sources of alcohol—including kegs, beer balls, trashcan punches, or large punch bowls—are strictly prohibited.

• Open Container Restrictions: Open containers of alcohol are strictly prohibited in hallways, stairwells, entryways, and public outdoor common areas not covered in the drinking outdoors statement.

• Underage Spaces: If a gathering is hosted in an underage room, or if any present guest or resident is under the age of 21, no alcohol is permitted in the space whatsoever.

• Commercial Restrictions: The sale of alcoholic beverages, or charging admission cover fees to an event where alcohol is present, is strictly prohibited.

• Hard Liquor Ban: The possession or consumption of hard alcohol/liquor is prohibited at all residential social gatherings.

• Controlled Substances: The possession, use, distribution, or manufacture of illegal drugs or controlled substances is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate suspension from housing and potential legal prosecution.

VI. Noise, Safety, and Enforcement

• Noise Compliance: All residential gatherings must adhere to the 24-hour courtesy hours and structured quiet hours schedules. Amplified sound systems or instruments must not be audible in the hallway or outside the facility. Residence Life staff and Campus Safety retain ultimate authority to determine if a gathering is disruptive.

• Fire Safety Hazards: Open flames (including candles and incense) are prohibited. Emergency exit pathways, doors, and windows must remain completely unobstructed at all times.

• Eviction Authority: College officials, including Residence Life staff and Campus Safety, retain the right to terminate any gathering and evict guests from the premises for disruptive behavior or policy violations.

VII. Violations and Sanctions

Violations of this policy will be referred directly to the Office of Student Conduct. Potential sanctions for hosts and unruly attendees include, but are not limited to:

• Official fines and restitution for damages

• Disciplinary probation

• Mandatory enrollment in educational or substance risk-reduction programs

• Immediate loss of residential hosting privileges

• Suspension or permanent expulsion from campus housing

• Suspension or dismissal from Wilmington College