Support & Wellbeing

Alcohol and your Accommodation

By ConductTeam 13 Sep 2022

This article is part of a series on behaviour and communal living issues in residences. In this article, we’ll cover:

Drinking at University
What can happen if you fail to drink responsibly?
Decision making whilst drinking and common contractual breaches

Students in your position are often keen to take advantage of this new-found freedom, and why not? Most university students are adults and are free to do whatever they want… within the bounds of the law, of course. On the other hand, this doesn't mean that doing something legal can't eventually land you on the wrong side of the law, or University policies and your own accommodation contract, for that matter.

Drinking alcohol is one of those things that is legal and not prohibited by the University - but can get you in a lot of trouble.

As university students, you're expected to know your limits when it comes to alcohol. Student life in UK is propped up by a drinking culture that's defined by a kind of drink-until-you-drop attitude.

When drinking excessively students can often to break a few University regulations, and breach a few more of the contract terms of their accommodation contract, resulting in disciplinary action, fines and other punishments. This article explains some of the rules around alcohol and behaving considerately. Our companion article also includes more information about staying safe with alcohol.

What happens if you fail to drink responsibly?

So, what can happen if you fail to drink responsibly? Here are a few examples.

Scenario 1

Drunk students can often become a nuisance to others in the community, which includes both staff members and fellow students. In extreme cases, they can become belligerent and make others feel unsafe. This could be a breach of Regulation 2(b) and (c) of the Regulations Relating to the Discipline of Students and Clause 13 of your residence contract, a legally binding contract.

Regulation

Subject to the general definition in the preceding paragraph, the following could constitute misconduct:

(2)(b) obstruction of, or improper interference with, the functions, duties or activities of any student, member of staff or other employee of the University or any authorised visitor to the University;

(2)(c) violent, indecent, disorderly, threatening or offensive behaviour or language whilst on premises owned, managed or leased by the University or engaged in any University activity or which affects or concerns any member of the University;

Scenario 2

Drunk students can also often become aggressive and start fights that may result in injuries. This, again, is a breach of your accommodation contract and also the Regulations, specifically Regulation 2(f).

Regulation

Subject to the general definition in the preceding paragraph, the following will constitute misconduct:

(2)(f) behaviour likely to cause injury or impair safety on premises owned, managed or leased by the University or such behaviour which affects or concerns any member of the University;

Alcohol and Accommodation Policies

Drunk students also tend to make worse decisions, because alcohol affects your attention span, reaction time, and ability to make a good judgement call. We have seen students make very bad decisions that led to serious consequences. One situation that comes up quite often is when visitors of a flat party get out of control. This can lead to noise complaints from other students, damages within the host’s flat, fights that result in injuries, offensive behaviour, and other misconduct. In Clause 11 of your accommodation contract, you've agreed that your guests or visitors are your responsibility. Whether they have been explicitly invited or not, any misconduct they commit in your flat becomes your responsibility, meaning disciplinary action can be taken against you.

Drunk students often forget, or sometimes deliberately breach, basic student accommodation policies. Two policies that are often breached are the Quiet Time Policy and the ACS smoke free policy.

Quiet Time Policy

Keep noise at a level that does not interfere with the study, sleep or comfort of staff, contractors and your neighbours.

Do not make or allow any loud noise to be played between 23.00 hours and 07.00 hours every day and at any time in the week before and throughout assessment/examination periods. This includes noise made by yourself or any of your guests.

Reduce the level of noise immediately if asked to do so.

ACS Smoke Free Policy in a nutshell

Do not to smoke or vape in the Accommodation or the Residence or within 2 metres of any door or window if smoking or vaping in the Residence Grounds;

Alcohol and Fire Safety

Sometimes, drunk students also forget or disregard fire safety rules, a vital part of your accommodation contract. The University has a zero-tolerance approach to fire safety, meaning that any actions that breach these rules will result in immediate disciplinary action.

Clause 15.3

15.3.1 You agree to adhere to all fire regulations and respond to fire alarms and to have due regard to the fire evacuation procedures (which are displayed in the Accommodation and on notice boards in the Residence and on the back of bedroom doors). A single serious breach or repeated minor breaches of fire safety may result in legal and/or disciplinary action. The fire regulations can be found at www.sheffield.ac.uk/hs/fire.

15.3.3 You must not prop open, or otherwise tamper with the fire doors as they are designed to reduce the spread of fire.

15.3.4 You agree not to abuse, interfere or otherwise tamper with any of the fire prevention equipment.

15.3.5 You agree not do anything that may cause a fire hazard, including (but not limited to) using or storing in the Accommodation or Residence any flammable materials

Further Support

If you are concerned about your drug or alcohol use, you can speak anonymously and confidentially to an experienced DASS Wellbeing Adviser at the Drug and Alcohol Student Support (DASS) drop-in. DASS Wellbeing Advisers provide a space for you to explore your alcohol and/or drug use, offer harm reduction advice and signpost you to other relevant support services. Drop-ins take place on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month between 2pm-4pm in the View Room 5, Students Union. Find out more here: https://students.sheffield.ac.uk/wellbeing/events#DASS.

So, what can you do to avoid breaching Regulations and your accommodation contract whilst still enjoying a good drink and a night-out? Make sure you read the Regulations and your accommodation contract, and drink responsibly.

If you want to know more, just have a chat with your mentor, or check out our article on staying safe with alcohol.

- The ACS Student Conduct Team