Written by Imari Scarbrough
Montreat College is a tobacco-free and dry campus, and strictly enforces policies to the best of its ability. Students who are caught smoking or drinking, even if they are over the age of 21, can get in big trouble. Students caught using tobacco products on campus property get a written warning the first time; the second offense warrants a $25 fine and 10 hours of community service, and a third offense earns a $50 fine, 20 hours of community service, and a referral to the administration for more disciplinarian action. Consuming, possessing, or being under the influence of alcohol while on Montreat campus property is also prohibited; students 21-and-up who are caught are disciplined by the administration, and students under 21 are turned over to the campus police for prosecution by North Carolina State Law and punished by the College. In addition to prosecution by state law, Montreat College disciplines students caught with drugs or drug paraphernalia with 25 hours of community service, probation for two semesters, and assessment by the counselor for misdemeanors. Felonies and second-offense misdemeanors are treated with dismissal from the College.
Faced with these possible consequences—community service, fines, jail time, probation, dismissal, and, maybe worse, calls to parents—most students avoid drug and alcohol use on campus. While most students are responsible, there have been a few cases of discipline from the administration. Most students avoid drugs, though the use of them (mostly marijuana) has increased. Montreat has cracked down on catching and disciplining users in response to the increase. Off-campus parties, complete with alcohol and drugs, are frequent and easy to access, though they tend to be attended by the same crowd. While a few students are known substance users/abusers, underage or otherwise, most refrain from drug and alcohol use on or off Montreat's campus.