Does the school make any attempt to discourage underage drinking in campus dorms? Are MIP violations a deterrent or are they given out so rarely as to be ineffective?
Actually they are handed out in abundance, especially during pre and post game partying. Deserving to those young geniuses who choose to walk down State with red Solo cups.
Last year, they kicked out a couple students from the first week orientation because of drinking problem.
What is ‘MIP’?
Thanks. What about dorm room parties? My D randomly assigned to a dorm with a strong party reputation. I hear things get loud and out-of control inside the freshmen dorms. I understand drinking happens, but I’ m wondering if RAs or anyone makes attempts to keep it under control or if those in authority look the other way.
MIP= Minor in Possession. My daughter will be going from a summer In Europe where her age means she’s been legal for 2 years and you have a glass of wine with dinner to the disgusting over use that occurs with hidden illegal drinking. I’m not a big fan of US policy.
My son was in Couzens last year on a floor that was almost all freshmen - if you are loud/sloppy and in the hallways drinking, the RA may escalate the situation. There was one incident where the police came - I recall that several MIPs were issued and one was kicked out of the dorm. There was also a group of students who had to meet with the dorm administrator for a “talk”.
The kids are going to drink - and alcohol and bad judgement are hard to separate. Many freshman do not know/understand their limitations - they will learn quickly!
What exactly defines a minor in possession? Is someone over 18 still considered a MIP?
Based on my son’s experience there is a lot of drinking and if not too crazy it is tolerated in the dorms. I did just want to mention that there are plenty of kids who choose not to drink or drink rarely. Students can hang in those groups too.
@GMTplus7 - if you are under 21(legal drinking age) you can get a MIP.
The key is not drinking in public or being involved in a loud/disturbing party situation. A student won’t draw campus or AA police interest if they are drinking a little in private.
Most MIP are walking down the street or standing on a sidewalk at a party with alcohol.
^^^ Or don’t look obviously drunk.
As somebody who just finished their freshman year, and lived in Mary Markley (the “party dorm”) I think I can speak to this well. MIP’s are given out neither rarely nor frequently. I would say 80% or more of MIP’s are given out to students with open containers on the street/sidewalk both at night and during gameday. If you are smart, aren’t too intoxicated (falling over) in public, and in general are a respectful citizen the cops will not bother you. As far as dorms go, I would say things are pretty under control even at a “party” dorm. RA’s and campus security regularly walk around which prevents any large parties from happening (like in the hallway between multiple rooms). Thus dorm intoxication falls into three categories for the most part: 1.Pregaming 2.Coming home after a night out and 3. Just hanging out/drinking with friends in your room. Pregaming is the heaviest drinking-- people want to get drunk quickly before they go out so they don’t have to waste money on drinks (or drink cheap vodka at frat parties). This happens early in the night and often goes unnoticed since people are still busy with homework or other things. Coming home after a night out is when most incidents happen, since people who drink too much will be loud in the hallway (or pass out, in some cases). Anyone found passed out is almost always sent to the hospital regardless of how drunk they are. This means no MIP but a large ambulance bill… which is almost worse. Many kids who are totally fine end up going because they weren’t thinking straight or didn’t have a friend help them get home safely. On the other hand, if you’re just loud in the hallway because you’re drunk, an RA might just ask you to go to bed (as long as you’re coherent in your response). The last option, hanging out and drinking in dorms, is the only time that people are truly partying for the whole night in their dorms, and most of these situations are tame (watching TV, playing games) because anything else will draw attention. Like I said, it’s really easy to NOT get in trouble if you pay any attention at all to your surroundings. Thus, in summary I wouldn’t worry about MIP’s or things getting “too crazy” in the dorms for the most part. I saw maybe 30 incidents this year where students dealt with the police/campus security because of alcohol issues, and maybe only 5 happened to people at my dorm. The bigger issues lie off campus.
Be aware that currently MIP in Michigan is a misdemeanor crime not a civil infraction although there is movement in the legislation to change that. It is important for underage kids coming to Michigan from another state to understand what the Michigan minor in possession laws are and what it means. It is currently a very strict state! If a kid pleads guilty without an attorney because they don’t want their parents to know and just pays the fine for a first offense it is still part of their permanent record. 17 - 20 year olds are treated the same. A second MIP before turning 21 can result in a visit to the local jail. Campuses are pretty safe but plenty…plenty of kids have had to go home for Christmas with a misdemeanor criminal record. Don’t mean to be a downer, but as a parent…eyes wide open please and you are getting some reasonable advice from some of the posters about Ann Arbor public spaces, vs campus spaces.