Questions and Concerns
FAQs
What is an MIP?
What happens if I receive an MIP?
What is the Office of Community and Ethical Standards?
What is Clemson’s Student Conduct policy related to alcohol?
What is a discipline conference and what happens if I’m contacted about one?
What happens if I have a hearing?
How long is a conduct violation on my record?
What is MAAP?
What does MAAP do?
Where can I find resources on campus that have to do with alcohol?
How can I help a friend who may have a drinking problem?
What is Blood Alcohol Concentration and how does that affect me?
What is Alcohol Poisoning and what can I do to help someone?
Where can I find resources on the web?
What is an MIP?
MIP means 'Minor In Possession' and refers to Underage Drinking tickets. In South Carolina it is against the law to purchase, consume or possess beer, wine or alcoholic liquors under the age of 21. That means that for this ticket, unlike a DUI, level of drunkenness does not matter. ANY alcohol at all is a violation. Even holding an unopened beer can in your hand is possession and that is enough. Likewise, officers are not required to collect much evidence: they smell it on your breath and find out you’re under 21, that’s good enough.
What happens if I receive an MIP?
In addition to resolving the matter through the courts, your case will be referred to the Office of Community and Ethical Standards on campus.
For more information on South Carolina Laws, please click here.
For more information on the Student Code of Conduct Alcohol and Other Drug Policies, please click here.
What is the Office of Community and Ethical Standards?
The mission of the Office of Community and Ethical Standards is to promote an environment which encourages students to uphold Clemson University’s Core Values and standards. OCES provides programs which educate students regarding the consequences of their behavior and empower students to become responsible members of our community. No student shall violate any provisions of the University Drug and Alcohol Policy (see Drug and Alcohol Policy).
View the Student Code of Conduct Program Guide.
What is Clemson’s Student Conduct policy related to Alcohol?
- No student shall unlawfully manufacture, use, possess, distribute or dispense any illegal drug, controlled substance or alcohol.
- No student under 21 years of age shall possess, sell, purchase or consume alcoholic liquor, beer or wine.
- No student of legal age shall purchase for or sell or provide to a person under 21 years of age any alcoholic liquor, beer or wine.
- No student of legal age shall possess or consume alcoholic liquor, beer or wine except in areas designated by the University.
- No student shall violate any provisions of the University Drug and Alcohol Policy.
What is a discipline conference and what happens if I’m contacted about one?
Upon receipt of an incident report, police report, or written complaint, the report will be reviewed and the student(s) will be contacted by a staff member via letter, telephone or e-mail to schedule an appointment for a discipline conference, when possible, to discuss the allegations and the disciplinary process. During the discipline conference, the student will be given an opportunity to review the information describing the alleged violation (or violations) and to respond to the allegations. If the facts and/or sanctions concerning the alleged violation(s) cannot be agreed upon by the staff member and the referred student(s), the student(s) will be provided with the following options:
- If the contemplated sanction does not include eviction from University Housing, or suspension or expulsion from the University, then the student may plead no contest, have the staff member impose sanctions and waive his/her rights to an administrative hearing or they may appeal to the Student Conduct Code Review Committee (SCCRC).
- If the contemplated sanction includes eviction from University Housing or suspension or expulsion from the University, the student may plead no contest, have the staff member impose sanctions and waive his/her opportunity for a hearing; or they may request a hearing before the administrative hearing board so that a broader exploration of the facts and circumstances may occur.
If a referred student fails to appear at a scheduled discipline conference, an additional charge of failure to comply with an official request will be added and the staff member may render a decision in the absence of the student(s). The Office of Community and Ethical Standards encourages full participation in the conduct process as a means to fairly and objectively resolve conduct issues.
What happens if I have a hearing?
In the hearing, the student will have the opportunity to present and examine statements, facts and any relevant information regarding the case. The referred student shall have the privilege of presenting any questions for witnesses to the Student Judicial Board when appropriate. Once this is completed, the Student Judicial Board members will move to a closed session to determine whether a student committed the alleged violations. The determinations are made based on whether it is more likely than not that the referred student violated the Student Code of Conduct. As soon as a decision is made, the referred student will be informed of the outcome. Please see the Student Code of Conduct for more details.
How long is a conduct violation on my record?
A finding of ‘In Violation’ will stay on the student’s disciplinary record for a period of six years. A finding of ‘Not in Violation’ stays on a student’s disciplinary record for a period of one year. The student’s disciplinary record is separate from their academic record and can only be accessed with the student’s written permission.
What is MAAP?
MAAP stands for Medical Alcohol Amnesty Policy
What does MAAP do?
Basically MAAP is a policy that may apply when a student receives emergency medical assistance that is (a) related to the consumption of alcohol and (b) sought by a person not serving in an official University capacity. The student will not be charged or sanctioned for violations of University alcohol-related policies but will be required to participate in every step of the MAAP process. For more information, follow this link: http://www.clemson.edu/administration/student-affairs/student-handbook/universitypolicies/medical-alcohol-amnesty.html
Campus Resources
- EMpower Clemson
- Redfern Health Center
- Counseling and Psychological Services
- ACTT (Assessment, Choices, Training and Transitions)
- Healthy Campus
- Dean of Students
- Office of Community and Ethical Standards