Quincy University students cannot have empty alcohol containers in campus housing, as part of the school’s alcohol policy.

Whether it’s a decorative beer stein, an empty wine bottle, or a stack of colorful beer boxes turned into dorm room “art,” all of it is officially banned regardless of a student’s age.

According to the Student Handbook 2023-24 and University’s Alcohol Policy, students may not “display, possess, or consume alcohol in any public area,” and more notably on page 89 it is stated, “students (regardless of age) MAY NOT DISPLAY alcohol containers, including beer boxes, beer steins, shot glasses, etc. (full or empty) in their room/suite/apartment/house.”

Kort Finley, who is the director of housing at Quincy University, states that students can risk promoting alcoholism if they use empty alcohol bottles as decoration.

“Essentially, the empty bottle rule is, for one, it looks bad. It’s a bad look for the room. If there’s ever someone coming to visit like parents or anything like that, that’s just not a good look and it promotes alcoholism, I feel. And the school feels that as well, which is why we don’t allow students to have empty alcohol bottles. But there’s no reason to keep such things as trophies and things like that,” Finley said.

This regulation may come as a surprise to some students who believed that as long as they were 21 or older, displaying empty bottles or alcohol-themed items in private spaces was acceptable. However, the policy applies to all students, regardless of age, and all university housing.

Some students have voiced confusion or frustration about the policy, especially international students and first-years who may be unaware of the cultural norms and legal boundaries around alcohol in the U.S.

“Back home, it’s normal to keep wine bottles or beer steins as decorations, it’s just part of the culture. I’m 24 and legally allowed to drink, so I didn’t think having an empty bottle in my room would be an issue. It’s a bit confusing, especially as an international student trying to adjust to different rules and expectations,” Oberschmid, a student from Germany at QU, said.

The reason for the policy could be tied to both health and safety. University staff emphasize that displays of alcohol, even in non-consumable forms, can promote a culture of drinking that may not align with the values or responsibilities expected in campus life.

“It promotes drinking for the most part. Yeah. I mean, it just kind of promotes an environment where students just want to consume alcohol,” Finley said.

First-time violations of the alcohol policy may result in disciplinary probation, community service, parental notification, and mandatory participation in alcohol education programs. Repeat offenses lead to escalating consequences, including deferred suspension or full removal from university housing.

“I think it’s a good rule,” Helma Cruz, a first-year student at Quincy University, said. “I am here to focus on school, and having alcohol bottles all over the dorms can send the wrong message. Even if they’re empty, it still makes drinking seem like a big part of college life, and that can be distracting or even unsafe for some students.”

QU encourages all students to familiarize themselves with the student handbook and take part in learning the rules.