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The College recognises that there will be differing attitudes to alcohol amongst the student body and that a strong social emphasis on alcohol is insensitive to those whose cultures do not endorse the use of alcohol and to those who choose not to use it for other reasons. In a 2016  
survey of Cambridge students, nearly a third of respondents indicated that they did not  
consume alcohol. The College will therefore strive to ensure that facilities and events are accessible for all students including those who choose not to drink alcohol, either due to personal preference, culture or because of religion or belief.

Students should ensure that the rights of those wishing not to drink alcohol are fully respected, regardless of the reason. The College will not tolerate disrespectful or exclusive behaviour  
which marginalises students who choose not to consume alcohol. 

This policy applies to all students of Murray Edwards College. It applies whether students are on College or University premises or elsewhere undertaking College or University study activities, including premises managed on behalf of the College or University by a third party. 

Alcohol misuse is defined as the habitual or intermittent use of alcohol which causes detriment to an individual’s health, social functioning and/or academic performance. It can impair the safety of themselves or of others, and affect attendance, time keeping, efficiency and conduct. 

Alcohol dependency is considered to be the most serious form of drinking problem and describes a strong, often uncontrollable desire to consume alcohol. There are varying degrees of dependence and it is important to note that, unlike alcohol misuse, dependence doesn’t always involve drinking excessive amounts. Alcohol dependency is an illness that can affect people physically and mentally, can have a negative impact on relationships and can lead to study or social problems

Binge drinking is a form of alcohol misuse and is defined as drinking eight or more units of alcohol in one session if you are a man, and more than six units in one session if you are a woman. Studies have revealed that drinking a large amount of alcohol over a short period of time may be significantly worse for our health than frequently drinking moderate amounts.

To reduce health risks from drinking, therecommend that people should not drink more than 14 units of alcohol a week on a regular basis and we  
should spread these units over three or more days and have several alcohol-free days a week.

Measurements of alcohol for some popular drinks are listed below:

• A standard glass of wine (175ml) at 12% abv is 2.1 units, and a large 250ml glass is 3 units.
• A measure (35ml) of spirit (40% abv) is 1.4 units.
• A bottle (275ml) of ordinary strength alcopops (5% abv) is 1.4 units.
• A shot (35ml) of spirits, typically between 35-40% abv, is 1.3 units.
• A pint (568ml) of low strength (3.5-4% abv) beer, or lager, is 2.3 units.
• A standard measure of port, or sherry, (50ml) is 1 unit. 

Pre-loading is the practice of consuming alcohol at home or a friend’s house before going out to pubs, bars or clubs or on to a College event. When people pre-load they are considered four times more likely to consume over 20 units on a night out (including pre-loading and pub/bar/club drinking). This level of consumption is strongly associated with increased health and safety risks. 

The short and long-term effects of alcohol consumption are wide-ranging and can have a significant impact on a person’s body, lifestyle and mental health. 

An estimated 23,000 alcohol-related incidents take place in Britain each week. The risks of short-term harms like accidents or injuries increase between two to five times when drinking five-seven units (equivalent to 2-3 pints of beer). Being out under the influence of alcohol therefore puts students at greater risk of harm. The College recommends that students familiarize themselves with useful tips to help stay safe whilst drinking by visiting thend. 

It is irresponsible and dangerous to encourage or pressure others to drink any more alcohol than they ought or wish to. Participation in competitive drinking games including ‘pennying’, the spiking of drinks with any/extra alcohol or pressurising others to take part in an ‘initiation’ to student societies is strictly prohibited and any student engaging in such activities will be subject to the College’s disciplinary procedures.

For a small minority of students, alcohol can play a significant role in situations where violence or antisocial behaviour occurs. Violence and antisocial behaviour will not be tolerated and may be subject to the College’s or University’s disciplinary procedures. Excessive alcohol consumption will not be considered a mitigating factor. 

Students should be aware that they are responsible for their own actions and will be held fullyliable for any expense arising from breakages, damages or additional cleaning to College or University property resulting from antisocial behaviour.

Any Fellow of the College or the Porters may stop a gathering within College if it is causing  
disturbance to other members of the College or the neighbouring community, and they can also submit a report to the Dean and the Senior Tutor. 

The College has a legitimate interest in protecting the College community from the potential consequences of alcohol misuse. It is important to acknowledge that the actions of students whose behaviour causes damage to property, or harm to either themselves or others as a result of alcohol misuse will need to be considered fully when deciding on an appropriate course of action.

Therefore, in situations where the misuse of alcohol is significantly affecting a student’s academic performance, conduct, relationships or future career choice, the situation may need to be considered under a specific College or University procedure, including but not limited to:

• Fitness to study
• Fitness to practice
• Intermission
• Disciplinary
• Harassment and sexual misconduct

Students should also be aware that, under the College and University Disciplinary Procedures, the effects of self-administered alcohol or non-prescribed drugs shall neither constitute a defence to a charge of misconduct nor afford a basis for mitigation of sanction. In addition, any breach of the Rules of Behaviour may be considered more serious if it took place under the influence of alcohol or illicit substances. 

Very serious cases involving potentially criminal activity may result in a matter being reported to the University and/or the police. 

It is recognized that moderate alcohol consumption for many students will be an enjoyable and relatively harmless element of university life. However, in a University with a student population size as large as Cambridge, it is inevitable that some students will have or develop a problem with alcohol.

Alcohol dependency is an illness and if a student proactively and voluntarily discloses a problem with alcohol to the College, they should be reassured that they will be treated with sympathy and sensitivity and every effort will be made to assist them in finding the support that they need.

Support might be offered through the College Wellbeing services, Senior Tutor, Deputy Senior Tutor, and Tutors or the Referrals to external support agencies may also be  considered.

Wherever possible, the disclosure of information by students will be kept confidential within the College welfare team, unless the student consents for such a disclosure to be shared or if the  
student or others are at serious risk of harm.

Whilst the College encourages any student with a concern about alcohol to disclose it to the College so that full pastoral and study support can be provided, it is recognized that not all students will wish to do so. Students wishing to seek help outside of the Collegiate University may find the following resources of help:

• Your General Practitioner
• Drinkline - the free national alcohol helpline. 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am â€“ 8pm, weekends 11am – 4pm)

Students should:

• Be aware of this policy.
• Respect the wishes and beliefs of those who do not drink.
• Not engage in antisocial behaviour, violence, competitive drinking games or society initiations.
• Proactively and voluntarily disclose concerns if they are concerned about their alcohol use.
• Seek help or support if they have been asked to do so, including as part of a disciplinary sanction or fitness to study/practise process.
• Encourage other students to seek help where appropriate.
• Access information about the potential impacts of alcohol misuse to physical and mental health and relationships.
• Alert an appropriate member of staff, such as their Tutor, to any problems relating to alcohol consumption that they see developing within the College, particularly where legal or health and safety concerns are an issue.
• Be aware of the behaviour of students around them and do their best to ensure everyone’s safety and wellbeing.

All College Staff should:

• Be aware of the disciplinary procedures within the College for dealing with student alcohol-related issues, and know that they can speak confidentially to the Senior Tutor, Head of Wellbeing, or the Deputy Senior Tutor if they have concerns about students.
• Encourage students to access appropriate support if there are concerns about their wellbeing in relation to alcohol.
• Be mindful of the potential impacts of excessive alcohol when conducting risk assessments on proposed events and activities.
• Ensure there is no misuse of/pressure to misuse alcohol during College social functions.
• Ensure non-alcoholic drinks are available at these occasions.

College Fellows should:

• Be mindful that they are a role model to students and their own drinking behaviour andattitudes contribute to the overall College culture.
• Be mindful of the potential impacts of excessive alcohol when conducting risk assessments on proposed events and activities.
• Ensure there is no misuse of/pressure to misuse alcohol during College social functions.
• Ensure non-alcoholic drinks are always available at these occasions.

Tutors, The Head of Wellbeing, and the College Nurse should:

• Be aware of the signs and symptoms of alcohol misuse and alcohol dependency.
• Alert students to the potential impacts of alcohol misuse.
• Through induction events and meetings, be alert to picking up students who come to University with a problem with alcohol to allow for early intervention and support.
• Follow up with students who have been identified by Porters or bar staff as potentially needing intervention/support.
• Act as a confidential self-referral facility for students.
• Provide information, advice and support to students presenting with alcohol-related issues (Nurse and Head of Wellbeing).
• Adhere to confidentiality guidelines and data protection legislation when a student presents for support for an alcohol-related issue.
• Have in place systems of referral to the UCS and community-based alcohol support agencies (Nurse and Head of Wellbeing).
• Raise concerns to the Senior Tutor or Deputy Senior Tutor if a particular alcohol-related welfare issue is presenting repeatedly.
• Take all reasonable steps to ensure that students with alcohol-related issues do not present a risk to themselves or others.
• Monitor trends and patterns in alcohol use and consumption amongst the student body.
   

Porters should: 

• Be aware of the issues associated with alcohol misuse.
• Be aware that the Senior Tutor has responsibility for alcohol-related support services, and that the Nurse, Head of Wellbeing, and Tutors are involved in the provision of this support.
• Liaise and communicate with the Senior Tutor in relation to concerns about student alcohol misuse.
• Report any alcohol-related incidents that contravene College regulations to the Senior Tutor/Dean.
• Be alert to the signs of alcohol poisoning and how to act in an emergency.

JCR/MCR Welfare Officers should:

• Offer information about services available to students who have concerns about their alcohol use.
• Work with College staff and Fellows to encourage and promote a sensible approach to alcohol use within the College.
• Provide and support educational events, awareness campaigns and activities that promote student health and wellbeing in cooperation with other parts of the Collegiate University.
• Ensure that student-related policies reflect attitudes to alcohol which are conducive to student wellbeing.
• Ensure that social events are not themed around excessive drinking and that publicity for these events is not themed exclusively around alcohol.
• Ensure that facilities/events organized by the JCR/MCR are accessible for those students who choose not to drink alcohol for whatever reason, and that the suite of events available to freshers includes alcohol-free activities as standard.

Bar staff should:

• Ensure that patrons are in a fit state to be served (no visible signs of drunkenness).
• Ensure that alcohol is not served to anyone under the age of 18.
• Ensure that any person who appears to be intoxicated is not served alcoholic drinks.
• Ensure that any customer attempting to buy alcoholic drinks for someone who appears to be intoxicated is refused.
• Ensure that patrons who appear to be intoxicated are asked to leave the premises.
• Report issues of antisocial behaviour resulting from excessive alcohol consumption to the Duty Porter. 

Alcohol poisoning occurs when someone has consumed toxic levels of alcohol over a short period of time. In the most severe cases, alcohol poisoning can lead to coma, brain damage and can even be fatal.

The signs and symptoms of alcohol poisoning include:

• confusion
• severely slurred speech
• loss of co-ordination
• vomiting
• regular or slow breathing
• hypothermia (pale or blue-tinged skin caused by low body temperature)
• stupor (being conscious but unresponsive)
• passing out and being unconscious

When to seek medical help

If you suspect a fellow student may have alcohol poisoning and they are in College accommodation, contact the Porters’ Lodge immediately for help. If they are not in College, dial 999 immediately to request an ambulance. While you're waiting:

• try to keep them sitting up and awake
• if they've passed out, lie them on their side in theand check they're breathing properly
• keep them warm
• stay with them and monitor their symptoms

Never leave a person alone to 'sleep it off'. The level of alcohol in a person's blood can continue to rise for up to 30-40 minutes after their last drink. This can cause their symptoms to suddenly become much more severe. You also shouldn't give them coffee or any more alcohol, put them under a cold shower or walk them around. These won't help someone 'sober up' and may even

be dangerous.