Ashley Vitrano is a 22-year-old senior living on campus and can legally drink in her room in the East Campus Apartments. But when her 20-year-old roommate comes in the front door, she could potentially be sent to the Dean of Students for violating the Student Code of Conduct.According to the Department of Residential Life’s apartment handbook, residents who are of age are only allowed to drink in “the privacy of their own assigned room.” Also, “all persons present in the room must be 21 or older.”Kayla Schultz, a general studies senior and Vitrano’s roommate, said although she doesn’t drink in her apartment often, she doesn’t like the policy.”It does kind of bother me because I am 22, and I can’t do someting I’m legally allowed to do,” Schultz said.Steve Waller, ResLife director, said the department cannot condone underage drinking, so it has policies in place to keep underage residents away from those who choose to drink in their apartments.”In the apartments, if they’re 21, they can have alcohol, but normally there are restrictions,” Waller said. “You can drink in your room but not in common areas or with residents who are under 21.”Alcohol is also not permitted in hallways, balconies, community bathrooms, parking lots or any public area within the residential community, according to the handbook.Residents who are of age are also allowed to possess and consume alcohol in the residence halls, Waller said. The only buildings completely substance-free are Residential College buildings and the Honors House, according the residence hall handbook.Vitrano, a general studies student, said she does not drink in her apartment often.”I usually have a bottle of something, but I keep it in my fridge,” Vitrano said. When a resident is found in violation of ResLife policies, the LSU Police Department does not usually issue any citations because the student isn’t on public property.”If they’re caught on a private area on campus, they’re sent straight to the Dean of students,” said Capt. Russell Rogé. “But if they’re caught in public drinking they are both issued a citation for a Minor In Possession of Alcohol and are sent to the Dean of Students.”Rogé said unlike an MIP, which is not an escalating offense, repeated violations of the Code of Student Conduct may cause the Dean of Students to take increased methods of actions such as academic probation and termination of their ResLife contract.Eric Norman, associate dean of Student Advocacy and Accountability, said the punishment for violating ResLife’s policy on alcohol on campus varies on the nature of the incident.”More often, what’s going to wind up happening, they’ll end up on discinplinary probation for one calendar year,” Norman said. “If they’re under 21, they would have a parental letter sent home, and do five hours of community service. We would also give them an alcohol education course or counseling depending on the nature of the information provided.”Norman said if a student has another alcohol-related violation while still on probation, a one-year suspension would typically occur. But residents who have a second violation who are not still on probation would have a lesser punishment.—-Contact Ben Bourgeois at [email protected]