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Murray Edwards College
University of Cambridge

Alcohol Misuse Policy: Appendix A – Roles and Responsibilities

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    Alcohol Misuse Policy: Appendix A – Roles and Responsibilities

    Students should:

    • Be aware of this policy.
    • Respect the wishes and beliefs of those who do not drink.
    • Not engage in antisocial behaviour, violence, competitive drinking games or society initiations.
    • Proactively and voluntarily disclose concerns if they are concerned about their alcohol use.
    • Seek help or support if they have been asked to do so, including as part of a disciplinary sanction or fitness to study/practise process.
    • Encourage other students to seek help where appropriate.
    • Access information about the potential impacts of alcohol misuse to physical and mental health and relationships.
    • Alert an appropriate member of staff, such as their Tutor, to any problems relating to alcohol consumption that they see developing within the College, particularly where legal or health and safety concerns are an issue.
    • Be aware of the behaviour of students around them and do their best to ensure everyone’s safety and wellbeing.

    All College Staff should:

    • Be aware of the disciplinary procedures within the College for dealing with student alcohol-related issues, and know that they can speak confidentially to the Senior Tutor or the Deputy Senior Tutor if they have concerns about students.
    • Encourage students to access appropriate support if there are concerns about their wellbeing in relation to alcohol.
    • Be mindful of the potential impacts of excessive alcohol when conducting risk assessments on proposed events and activities.
    • Ensure there is no misuse of/pressure to misuse alcohol during College social functions.
    • Ensure non-alcoholic drinks are available at these occasions.

    College Fellows should:

    • Be mindful that they are a role model to students and their own drinking behaviour and attitudes contribute to the overall College culture.
    • Be mindful of the potential impacts of excessive alcohol when conducting risk assessments on proposed events and activities.
    • Ensure there is no misuse of/pressure to misuse alcohol during College social functions.
    • Ensure non-alcoholic drinks are always available at these occasions.

    Tutors and the College Nurse should:

    • Be aware of the signs and symptoms of alcohol misuse and alcohol dependency.
    • Alert students to the potential impacts of alcohol misuse.
    • Through induction events and meetings, be alert to picking up students who come to University with a problem with alcohol to allow for early intervention and support.
    • Follow up with students who have been identified by Porters or bar staff as potentially needing intervention/support.
    • Act as a confidential self-referral facility for students.
    • Provide information, advice and support to students presenting with alcohol-related issues (Nurse).
    • Adhere to confidentiality guidelines and data protection legislation when a student presents for support for an alcohol-related issue.
    • Have in place systems of referral to the UCS and community-based alcohol support agencies (Nurse).
    • Raise concerns to the Senior Tutor or Deputy Senior Tutor if a particular alcohol-related welfare issue is presenting repeatedly.
    • Take all reasonable steps to ensure that students with alcohol-related issues do not present a risk to themselves or others.
    • Monitor trends and patterns in alcohol use and consumption amongst the student body.

    Porters should:  

    • Be aware of the issues associated with alcohol misuse.
    • Be aware that the Senior Tutor has responsibility for alcohol-related support services, and that the Nurse and Tutors are involved in the provision of this support.
    • Liaise and communicate with the Senior Tutor in relation to concerns about student alcohol misuse.
    • Report any alcohol-related incidents that contravene College regulations to the Senior Tutor/Dean.
    • Be alert to the signs of alcohol poisoning and how to act in an emergency.

    JCR/MCR Welfare Officers should:

    • Offer information about services available to students who have concerns about their alcohol use.
    • Work with College staff and Fellows to encourage and promote a sensible approach to alcohol use within the College.
    • Provide and support educational events, awareness campaigns and activities that promote student health and wellbeing in cooperation with other parts of the Collegiate University.
    • Ensure that student-related policies reflect attitudes to alcohol which are conducive to student wellbeing.
    • Ensure that social events are not themed around excessive drinking and that publicity for these events is not themed exclusively around alcohol.
    • Ensure that facilities/events organized by the JCR/MCR are accessible for those students who choose not to drink alcohol for whatever reason, and that the suite of events available to freshers includes alcohol-free activities as standard.

    Bar staff should:

    • Ensure that patrons are in a fit state to be served (no visible signs of drunkenness).
    • Ensure that alcohol is not be served to anyone under the age of 18.
    • Ensure that any person who appears to be intoxicated is not served alcoholic drinks.
    • Ensure that any customer attempting to buy alcoholic drinks for someone who appears to be intoxicated is refused.
    • Ensure that patrons who appear to be intoxicated are asked to leave the premises.
    • Report issues of antisocial behaviour resulting from excessive alcohol consumption to the Duty Porter.