A victory this weekend over Michigan is sure to have parties spilling out onto the street, but if you are a host of one of these parties or an underage attendee, beware.
Students arrested for underage consumption or anyone hosting a party where underage people are drinking are subject to first-degree misdemeanor charges, which can be penalized with up to six months in jail and/or a fine of $1,000.
Using fake identification to purchase alcohol is subject to the same penalties.
The state of Ohio maintains a set of laws that hold individuals or institutions liable for property damages, personal injuries or fatalities resulting from the alcohol use of others. So if someone at a party leaves intoxicated and causes damage to something or someone, the host of the party could be held liable in a civil or criminal suit, according to Appendix B of the Ohio Alcohol Laws and Sanctions.
Ohio State’s Party Smart program was adopted to help students protect themselves from such dangerous partying and consequences.
“We want your party to be a success, not a mess,” said Sean McLaughlin, assistant director of Off-Campus Student Services.
McLaughlin and Willie Young, the director of Off-Campus Student Services, drive around each Friday and Saturday night from 12-2 a.m. to ensure there are no campus disturbances.
In addition to providing the free Party Smart pack, Off-Campus Student Services allows students to register their parties, and if needed, they will call the police in the event of an assault or something dangerous, McLaughlin said.
“We don’t bust students – we keep them safe,” he said. “But you are here to have fun – you are in college – but you are also an adult.”
Students can pick up the free Party Smart packet at the Student Wellness Center and at Off-Campus Student Services, as well as at some local landlords’ offices and at Columbus beer distributors.
The pack includes a free coupon for a case of Coca-Cola, a Party Smart planning guide, two safer-sex kits, a late night programming schedule, informational brochures and a glow necklace intended to be worn by the party’s sober host, said Constance Boehm, director of the Student Wellness Center.
The Party Smart program encourages students to keep their parties limited to persons they know, to designate a sober host, provide non-alcoholic beverages, avoid glass containers, keep their noise levels down and be aware of their lease regulations.
“Keep your parties intimate and small,” said City of Columbus Zone Four commander Suzanne Curmode, who heads up the force that covers the off-campus area.
“Celebrate, but do it responsibly,” Curmode said.
Curmode congratulated the Ohio State student body for a quiet school year thus far.
Curmode expects a celebration, but just wants to prevent violence.
Noise complaints on campus are a problem during partying hours, because many of the residents living in the off-campus area aren’t students.
“Noise ordinances are very touchy, because the permanent residents have a problem with the noise,” McLaughlin said.
The police officers are able to use discretion in their response to noise, McLaughlin said. According to Campus Partners, city officials recommend that you first ask your neighbor to turn down their music. If your requests are ignored, you may then call the police. If the noise is present when the officer arrives, they may only tell the residents to turn the music down. Police are not required to respond to noise ordinances unless at least two people complain about the noise.
Many off-campus residents have had experiences with permanent residents getting upset over noise.
“The police explained to me that there were a few people on my street that weren’t college students,” said Mark Lesczynski, a senior in information systems, “and our neighbor knew she needed others to complain for the police to respond, so she called our other neighbors, and the police had to give us a ticket.”
Lesczysnki said later in the year the neighbor complained again, and he and his roommates were forced to pay an $80 ticket.
“We got a ticket, had to pay it and lived in fear of having fun past 10 p.m. for the rest of our nights that year,” he said.
Noise-ordinance violations are minor misdemeanors with a maximum sentence of $100. If charged with noise violations, individuals are not subject to arrest unless they fail to appear for a scheduled hearing, according to Campus Partners.
Students living in the residence halls also are also targeted for campus safety.
In order to curtail her residents from underage drinking, Jessica Nasse, a junior in speech and hearing science, and resident advisor in Canfield Hall, said she tries to provide her residents with alternatives, such as the late night programming, movies or shopping.
“I try to inform my residents of the consequences of drinking and partying through bulletin boards and guest speakers,” Nasse said.
OSU is the first school in Ohio to put on a Party Smart program. Kent State University, Ohio University, Michigan State University and the University of Michigan all have instituted similar programs, Boehm said.
