UPD and OPD Collaborate on Alcohol Policies

OXFORD-The University of Mississippi’s stance on alcohol and drug related crimes could mean trouble for students on and off of campus.

UPD and OPD have been working together to stop the amount of alcohol and drug crimes around Oxford for the past six years. The Office of Judicial Affairs on campus passed a two-strike policy in 2004 that can affect lives of students more than just legally.

“The policy is designed to set minimum sanctions for students and recognized student organizations found in violation of any alcohol or drug related policy,” says Scott Wallace, Assistant Dean of Students for Judicial Affairs.

No matter where you are in Lafayette County, if you get arrested or sited for such an offense, the university will know about it. The repercussions for the first offense place the offender in a required alcohol/drug education program followed with fees and fines, community service, and probation for the remainder of the current semester and the following two semesters (Fall or Spring) enrolled at the University. Probation also extends through any intervening summer terms, inter-sessions, and any institutional breaks.

“Most students get the point after the first offense. There are repeat offenders, but we don’t see many students getting in trouble after the first strike,” explains Lieutenant Bobby Black of UPD.

The second strike acquires much harsher penalties. The first step is suspension from university. The University Judicial Council can decide whether the suspension is to take effect immediately or after completion of the current semester or term. After this is decided, the student is suspended for at least one complete Fall or Spring semester following the suspension’s effective date, including any intervening summer terms or inter-sessions.

Following the suspension, the offender’s grades, tuition, residence hall costs and fees, financial aid, athletics participation and eligibility, health insurance, meal plan, use of university resources and access to university facilities, immigration status for international students, internships, assistantships, and study abroad eligibility can all be affected by probation violation.

The Oxford Police Department, or any other policing force in Lafayette County, may report off-campus conduct to the university. The policy states that, “For students, such offenses include but are not limited to any drug-related crime and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol occurring within Lafayette County.”

“Most of the students who get in trouble with alcohol and drugs are freshmen and sophomores who aren’t used to our policies and regulations just yet,” says Lieutenant Black, “We advise all students to be aware of alcohol and drug safety measures as well as university policy on these issues.”

For more information on these, and other, policies, visit the Office of Judicial Affairs located on the third floor of the Union, visit the Student Health Department, or enroll in the EDLD 101 class that is offered.