My Iona

Alcohol Policy

Alcoholic beverages may not, in any circumstance, be used by, possessed by or distributed to any person under the legal drinking age, currently twenty- one (21) years of age in New York. This includes suspicion of being intoxicated on Iona premises. Students are expected to abide by all international, federal and state laws regarding alcohol and must be familiar with the University policy on a Drug-Free Community that is contained in the Student Handbook. All students must abide by the Residential Life alcohol policies.

In rooms/suites/apartments where all residents are over 21, individuals of legal drinking age may possess and/or consume alcohol in their rooms, provided all roommates and suitemates, present or absent, are of legal drinking age. All guests and students under the legal drinking age may not be in the presence of alcohol in the residence hall. The purchase, sale, distribution, consumption, association with, being in presence of, or possession of alcoholic beverages by any residents or guests, regardless of age, is prohibited in apartments where any resident is under 21.

Students of legal drinking age may possess what College officials determine to be a reasonable quantity of alcohol for their personal consumption only. Residents may not have more than a reasonable amount of alcohol per person assigned to the room. College officials may consider empty alcohol containers in determining whether this standard has been violated or if they suspect underage drinking and/or excessive alcohol consumption has occurred. Residential Life and Campus Safety and Security staff may consider empty alcohol containers when documenting quantity limit violations if they suspect underage drinking and/or excessive alcohol consumption has occurred.

The University prohibits the possession of items used for common distribution of alcohol. Such items include, but are not limited to, kegs, party balls, punch bowls or trash can punch. Regardless of size, kegs or beer balls, full or empty, along with all associated hardware are prohibited in every residence hall and will be permanently confiscated. Drinking games and rapid consumption techniques and devices (e.g. funnels, beer bongs, shot glasses, beer pong tables, bars, bar signs, etc.) by their nature promote abusive consumption of alcohol and thus violate the alcohol policy. The University prohibits organizing or participating in activities that encourage excessive drinking (e.g., beer pong, drinking games or contests), or charging a fee when hosting parties. Possession of empty alcohol containers, even for decorative purposes, is prohibited.

Students are prohibited from possessing open containers of alcoholic beverages in common areas of the University, including, but not limited to:

  • hallways
  • lounges
  • bathrooms
  • campus grounds
  • classrooms
  • stoops/ front steps, etc.

A container is any bottle, can, glass, cup or similar receptacle designed to hold or capable of holding a liquid.

Prohibited gatherings are events where there are 15 more people present than the room, suite, or apartment occupancy allows.