Alcohol and Drug Policy
At Loyola University Maryland, we are guided by our Jesuit commitment to cura personalis—care for the whole person—and to fostering a community where each member thrives. As part of this mission, we encourage thoughtful, responsible decision-making around alcohol use that supports students’ academic, personal, spiritual, and social development.
Grounded in restorative practices, our approach emphasizes empathy, reflection, and accountability. We work to create environments where students can learn from their experiences, strengthen their relationships, and contribute positively to our campus community. Through harm reduction and strengths-based strategies, we provide tools that help students navigate the complex contexts in which substance use may occur while honoring their dignity and capacity for discernment.
Using a comprehensive model that includes peer education, layered prevention efforts,
and accessible support resources, we empower students to make informed choices that
enhance their well being and the well being of others.
While no strategy can eliminate all risks, the harm reduction practices below can
help you minimize potential negative impacts associated with alcohol use and support
safer, healthier decisions.
Loyola’s Policies on Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD)
Community Standards 2025-2026
Loyola Maryland fully supports and requires compliance with Maryland’s alcoholic beverage laws including prohibitions against underage possession or consumption, providing alcohol to minors, and misrepresenting age to obtain alcohol. Only students 21 or older may have alcohol in their assigned residence halls. Guests who are 21 or older may not bring alcohol into a residence where any occupant is under 21.
Alcohol Policy Violations
| nUMBER | dEFINITION |
|---|---|
| 1.a. | Having open containers of alcoholic beverages or consumption of alcohol in any public area on Loyola owned or leased property, regardless of age (e.g., lounges, corridors, outdoors, etc.) |
| 1.b. | Unauthorized possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages. “Possession” means having an alcoholic beverage under one’s charge or control. Students under age 21 may not possess or consume alcoholic beverages at any time. Students aged 21 or older generally may not possess or consume alcoholic beverages in the presence of persons under age 21; however, they may consume or possess alcoholic beverages in the presence of their roommates in their own residence unit. |
| 1.c. | Selling, furnishing, or giving any beverage containing alcohol to any person under 21 years of age. |
| 1.d. | Prohibited items or activities that encourage excessive drinking. This includes but is not limited to: using or possessing excessive amounts of prohibited sources of alcohol (e.g., kegs, beerballs); using or possessing items or devices that encourage excessive drinking (e.g., bars, beer bongs, funnels); or organizing or participating in activities that encourage excessive drinking (e.g. beer pong, water pong, other drinking games, or contests). |
| 1.e. | Charing a fee when hosting parties. |
| 1.f. | Individuals who are intoxicated, exhibiting signs of intoxication, or impaired to the extend that they are disruptive to the community, unable to control their faculties, or present a risk of harm to themselves or others, may be approached by university officials to reconcile their behavior. This includes behavior that poses as a safety concern or significantly disturbs the environment. |
| 1.g. |
Providing false identification
|
| 1.h. | Possession of empty alcohol containers. Students who are under 21 years of age may not possess empty alcohol containers (i.e., empty cans, liquor bottles). Students who are 21 years of age or older are expected to dispose of empty alcohol containers. Students are prohibited from displaying empty alcohol containers. Empty alcohol containers should not be used as decorations. |
Drug Policy
Loyola University Maryland fully supports and requires compliances with federal and state laws regarding illegal drugs and paraphernalia. Adult use-cannabis became legal in Maryland on July 1, 2023. Despite the new state law, cannabis remains a Schedule 1 drug under federal laws. As a result, institutions of higher education, including Loyola University Maryland, receiving federal funds must continue to prohibit the use, possession, and distribution of cannabis on campus and at campus-sponsored events and activities off campus.
This policy applies to other substances or “drugs” that may be used to change mood or alter reality and is not used in accordance with a medical prescription and “look alike substances.”
Drug Policy Violations
| Number | Definition |
|---|---|
| 3.a. | Drug use or possession (e.g. cannabis products hemp based products, heroin, LSD, cocaine, mushrooms, ecstasy, ketamine, unauthorized use or abuse of prescription drugs, etc.) |
| 3.b. | Drug paraphernalia possession. |
| 3.c. | Sale, potential sale, facilitation in the sale, distribution, or providing of drugs to others. |
| 3.d. | Manufacturing, making, or possessing ingredients in sufficient quantities to manufacture drugs. |
The sanctions for Alcohol and Drug Violations are highlighted in our Community Standards PDF.
Responsible Action Protocol
The Responsible Action Protocol (RAP) at Loyola University Maryland encourages students to seek help during alcohol-related emergencies by prioritizing health and safety over disciplinary action. Students who call university staff for assistance generally will not receive sanctions for intoxication but may need to complete educational programs. However, this policy does not apply if other violations occurred. To learn more about RAP, please visit the website.
We also offer addition support through other offices such as:
Some local/off campus resources are: