Following is a list of misperceptions paired with the factual information you need. We hope this will help you better understand the actual issues and consequences associated with illegal or irresponsible alcohol use and set your mind at ease about some rumors that are not true. If you or others you know have questions about other things you've heard that don't appear here, I encourage you to e-mail them to wecare@bsu.edu, an e-mail account monitored by the Office of the Dean of Students. If we hear from a number of you about a certain perception that could be clarified or corrected with specific factual information, we'll post it here.

Kay Bales
Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students

Fiction: It's safer to drive home drunk now than walk home because you're more likely to get stopped walking home.
Fact: Driving while under the influence is never a viable option. It is never safe, and it puts you and others at significant risk of not only getting ticketed or arrested but also of causing a serious accident that could result in injury or death. Muncie and university police are doing as many traffic stops as ever, so it certainly doesn't improve your odds of not getting caught.

Fiction: Police need a search warrant to enter a party.
Fact: Each case is going to be different, but generally officers only need to have a reasonable suspicion that an alcohol law is being violated. University Police officers are trained to know the law and how to apply it.

Fiction: If you sell plastic cups rather than beer, you won't get into trouble.
Fact: Using the "I was just selling cups" defense is unlikely to stand up in court. Selling cups with the intention of providing alcohol is the same as selling alcohol. If you sell alcohol without a permit, you are breaking Indiana law, and if you are arrested or cited, you will be subject to the university's discipline process.

Fiction: If you're under 21, you could be kicked out of school just for having a beer.
Fact: In terms of university discipline, each infraction is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Typically, a first alcohol offense that involves a citation or arrest will result in 16 weeks of disciplinary probation and a required alcohol education program. A second offense will generally trigger notification of your parents, one year of disciplinary probation, and a more extensive alcohol education program. A third offense will lead to consideration of career probation, suspension, or even expulsion. If your first alcohol violation threatens your health and well-being or the health and well-being of others (hospitalization, large amount of alcohol, or belligerent to staff), you could receive second-offense level punishments.

Fiction: If you are 21 but are drinking at a party that gets busted, you could be in trouble.
Fact: The only way you will be cited or arrested is if you are violating a law. If you are of age, consuming alcohol legally and responsibly, and not violating the law in other ways (i.e., selling alcohol without a license, providing alcohol to a minor, making excessive noise, or failing to comply with orders from a police officer) you will not face criminal charges. You may, however, be asked to leave as the police break up a party that has generated complaints from neighbors for violating city ordinances.