Northern Illinois University

Northern Illinois University

Alcohol and Drug Policies

NIU PoliceAlcoholic Beverages

As a state university, the possession, sale, or furnishing of alcohol on university campus property is governed by NIU policy and Illinois state laws. Violators are subject to disciplinary action and criminal prosecution. NIU prohibits the possession of open containers of alcoholic beverages on university premises. Residence hall policy states that persons under the age of 21 may not possess alcohol at any time. Residents age 21 or older are prohibited from providing, delivering, or hosting the serving of alcohol in the residence halls to persons under the age of 21.The university also maintains alcohol-free floors in the residence halls to provide students with the opportunity to live with other students who wish to maintain an alcohol-free lifestyle. These floors prohibit the possession and consumption of alcohol by persons under and over age 21.

Drugs

The possession, use, sale, manufacture, or distribution of illegal drugs, narcotics, or controlled substances is a violation of university policy and state laws, and violators are subject to disciplinary action and criminal prosecution. NIU’s Department of Police and Public Safety is a member of the North Central Narcotics Task Force, which is designed to create a system that effectively fights the use and abuse of drugs in the community and the NIU campus. NIU is a drug-free and alcohol-free workplace.

NIU PoliceEducation and Prevention

NIU provides informational programs and prevention services for the entire university community. Several of these services include:

  • Option to live on an alcohol-free residence hall floor
  • Ready availability of NIU Health Enhancement’s drug and alcohol informational and educational materials during 440 outreach hours
  • Health Enhancement’s direct program requests reached 354 students
  • Prevention education materials were provided to 140 floor Community Advisors for posting in all of the residence halls
  • Two nationally known speakers presented to 2,200 students
  • Four educational display ads were placed in the Northern Star, and three feature stories on alcohol and drug education appeared during 2007

Appropriate assessment, treatment, and aftercare services are provided by NIU’s Counseling and Student Development Center and Health Services, as well as off-campus agencies.

Health Enhancement maintains a website at www.health.niu.edu, whereby students can obtain information on services and educational opportunities. Students can check the section on “Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs” for safe drinking tips and the section on “sexual Health” for how to prevent sexually transmitted diseases.