Residence halls were not designed to serve as locations for large social functions because of fire safety considerations and hall environmental issues. For these reasons, we are making the following recommendations, all of which should be followed-up by the Dean of Students Office:

Recommendation #19:
Locations for Social Functions:
a) Upper floors should be maintained as party-free areas so that study and sleep will not be impeded.

b) Parties can be held in designated first-floor or basement lounges.

c) Each hall should be equipped with a substance-free lounge. As building renovations are made over the next five years, these lounges should be refurbished (see Appendix B).

d) Suites that adjoin basement lounges on Roberts Row should be separated by a wall.

Recommendation #20:
Timing of Social Functions:
a) No dormitory should have more than one social event where alcohol is served on any single weekend.

b) Hall social events in lounges should normally be scheduled by Wednesday or Thursday, depending on the size of the event (see Appendix C).

Recommendation #21:
Spontaneous Parties
If other conditions and regulations are met, permission for spontaneous parties may be granted after the normal registration deadlines by the Assistant Directors from the Dean of Students Office, who reside on campus.

Recommendation #22:
Individual Rooms:
a) Because individual rooms/suites are not spacious enough to accommodate large social events with alcohol, kegs will not be permitted in rooms or suites.

b) Small, private gatherings may occur in dorm rooms or suites which do not exceed the fire capacity for the room and do not generate noise or extend into the hallways, stairwells or common areas.

Drinking Games:
Drinking games encourage excessive drinking and/or drunkenness, tend to foreclose all other social interaction, and pressure players to drink over their limits. Drinking games are currently prohibited at large events in the Student Union, in dining halls, and at outdoor functions. Because we wish to promote a "culture of responsibility," where students are treated as responsible adults and are, therefore, individually accountable for their actions, we make the following recommendations, all of which should be followed-up by the Dean of Students Office:

Recommendation #23:
That drinking games be banned from all public areas (lounges, corridors, laundry rooms, etc.). Students who elect to play such games in individual rooms must be aware that Maine State Laws and Colby regulations will, of course, still apply.

Recommendation #24:
All participants in a drinking game may be held accountable for the actions of any individual player who engages in misconduct during or after such an event. Participants who have contributed to the drunkenness of another, will likely be held accountable. Room residents who provide a location for drinking games have special and additional accountability for the actions of themselves and their guests.

Recommendation #25:
Students found guilty of infractions as a result of participating in drinking games will be subject to additional penalties beyond those that would normally apply.

Kegs
Recommendation #26:
Because of the capacity limit necessitated by fire safety, we recommend that kegs not be allowed in individual rooms or suites.

General Party Information:

Recommendation #27:
Early in each semester, the College should arrange special training for 21-year-olds who wish to assume responsibility at parties where alcohol will be served. Trained 21-year-old party hosts are required for parties with alcohol.

Recommendation #28:
As part of the orientation program, the College should conduct sessions that will alert all new students to their rights and responsibilities regarding alcohol.

Recommendation #29:
The dean's office may require more than one host depending upon the size and nature of the event.

Recommendation #30:
Catered bars should be recommended and encouraged so as to reduce host liability.

Recommendation #31:
Hard alcohol can be particularly dangerous in that it is often difficult to gauge its rapid negative effects. Students sponsoring events with hard alcohol should discourage guests from consuming shots in rapid succession. Discussions about hard alcohol should be included in educational programs.

Recommendation #32:
The College should provide an instruction sheet on how to leave lounge areas after parties and should provide appropriate cleaning supplies in close proximity to party sites.