<p>This weekend i got written up by an RA and had a couple questions on how to go about handling it. I have a meeting next week and want to fight the case. So here what happened:</p>
<p>It was approximately 2:30am and me and my friends were in the hallway and an RA walked by and saw me crack open a beer, never took a sip or anything and she made me go to the bathroom and pour it all out. I later got an email from the Division of Campus Life, stating 4 offenses. While i did have possession, open container and I am under 21, she wrote me up for consumption of alcohol. I never consumed any, just opened it.
What's the best way to approach and handle this predicament. Oh and by the way this is my first offense. I was just wondering what i could expect from the meeting and how i should go about it...thanks in advance!</p>
<p>Firstly your R.A. sounds like a prick for writing you up for one damn beer.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t be scared if I were you. It was a beer and your first offense. At my school you get a $300 fine after your second offense, and pretty much just a slap on the wrist the first time.</p>
<p>I think most schools have student advocates you can speak with who should be able to help you out.</p>
<p>Are you a dry campus? If so they may assume possession=consumption. Especially in a residence hall, look at your school handbook, how are they supposed to know it’s your first beer?</p>
<p>Honestly, you shouldn’t have been drinking in the hallway. First offenses aren’t usually a bad fine, you clearly broke the rules and had intention to drink. Be thankful it was an RA and not a police officer.</p>
<p>Why on earth would you be in the hallway? </p>
<p>But really, not a huge deal.</p>
<p>At my school they have ‘intent to consume’ and ‘consumption’ in the same category on the write up paperwork. They might have something similar at your school. Being written up for alcohol is going to suck no matter how many offenses you have. Fight it, but don’t anticipate to win.</p>
<p>The consequences will be different depending on where you go to school. From my experience as an RA at my school the first time you get written up for alcohol usually isn’t a big deal. At my school all Freshman and Sophomore residence halls are dry regardless of age. That means if we see you with any alcohol in the building we have to write you up and we don’t really have much discretion in that area, yes that means if we see you with one beer you get written up.</p>
<p>At my school when you get written up you can go in for your meeting and discuss with the hearing officer what happened and explain your side of the story. You then can accept the consequences after they hear your side of the story or you can have your case heard in front of the university hearing board. </p>
<p>Usually the fine for an alcohol offense is $135 the first time but that is going to be dependent on where you go to school. Honestly don’t worry about it too much, people make it out to be a much bigger deal than it actually is.</p>
<p>Your lucky. At my sons school first offenses lose campus housing…They had 16 freshman lose housing before the start of school this year…can you imagine those phone calls…</p>