House CC has made history as the first living group to be punished for a violation of the University's new alcohol policy.
Members of the selective living group plead guilty Oct. 2 to open distribution of alcohol at a party they held Sept. 15 in their section.
At their party, members of House CC distributed lemonade punch mixed with grain alcohol from two trash cans in the room of a resident. Two resident advisers making rounds that evening reported the violation to Paul Bumbalough, associate dean of student development, after which the living group was brought up on charges to the Undergraduate Judicial Board.
In accordance with the punishment specified by the alcohol policy for a first-time offense of illegal distribution, House CC will serve a four-week social suspension, ending Oct. 30. During that time, the living group will not be allowed to sponsor or attend any group activities, with the exception of intramural sports events. The group also will not be allowed to register any events for the duration of the suspension, and individual members will have to serve five hours of on-campus community service.
In addition to the group punishment, one student received a year-long probation for illegal distribution because the trash cans with punch were in his room.
"House CC was forthright about accepting responsibility and admitting their violation. They received an automatic suspension, as is specified by the alcohol policy," Bumbalough said.
Members of House CC gave mixed responses to the sanctions. "We recognize that we violated the policy and accept the suspension," said Trinity junior Jason Poston, president of House CC. "We have some time to think about how we are going to approach social programming in the future."
Several members of House CC, however, objected to the punishment. "I think holding every member of the group responsible for an event that not everyone was involved in planning or attending is unjust," said Trinity senior Eric Waters.
Trinity senior Jeremy Stamelman agreed. "The idea of community service is a good one, but I think it is unnecessary for everyone in the house to be punished, especially because no one fully understands the rules of the new alcohol policy," he said.
Bumbalough justified the sanctions by saying that by choosing to live in selective dorms, students must take responsibility for what happens in that dorm, regardless of whether they themselves were involved in a particular incident.
Trinity senior Mayling Mah, chair of the UJB, said that the straightforward nature of the alcohol policy leaves no room for confusion. "The intent of the alcohol policy is to have a procedure which does not require interpretation," she said. "The UJB administers the policy for the punishment of violations, but is not involved in deciding what that punishment should be."
Some members of House CC expressed concern about how they would deal with their upcoming social functions under the new alcohol policy. "I think the transition to a non-alcoholic party system is going to be hard, but we are going to be really careful not to violate the alcohol policy in the future," said Trinity junior Dave Rochester.
According to the alcohol policy, the second offense for an illegal distribution violation would result in a 12-week social suspension, with an additional 10 hours of mandatory on-campus community service per individual.
Additionally, the group's governing body would be notified and each member would have to pay a $10 fine. Half of the money collected would go to the University's programming enhancement fund and the other half would go to Public Safety for alcohol enforcement and educational services.
The third offense would result in the group's loss of University recognition and all privileges for one year, as well as renotification to the group's governing body.
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