Getting written up for an alcohol violation is no joke. There are many obvious reasons to keep your drinking off campus. But let’s face it, there are also huge conveniences to pre-gaming in the dorms.
Ask yourself: If your resident assistant knocked on the door, would you be ready to handle the stress and confusion? Whether or not you agree with my advice, take this chance to plan ahead. It could save you a lot of trouble.
Before we jump to the night in question, what could you have done to defuse the situation before it ever began?
This may seem like common sense, but I know it happens all the time. Make sure you are not talking with your RA about any misadventures. Treat your RA like you would any authority, with courtesy and a proper amount of reluctance. Your RA may be a great person, but he or she won’t be so great when campus police come knocking on your door.
Remember, where there’s smoke, there’s fire. Don’t give people the wrong impression or a reason to be suspicious.
You may also set up a strict system for entering and leaving the room. You can call, text or use a super secret password, but the end result should give you confidence that you’re letting friends in and leaving danger out. If you open the door and an RA is waiting, he or she will likely see enough for probable cause. Don’t let this happen out of carelessness.
Now it’s Saturday night, and your room is filled with people. The table is set up, the cups are filled with beer and the liquor is on full display. The noise is getting out of control, but you know it’s hopeless. The best you can do is give reminders every so often.
Just as you’re about to land the final cup in beer pong, someone knocks on the door. Your heart stops, and so does everyone else’s. The fact that your room just went silent tells all. What now?
You will need to buy yourself time. Acknowledge your RA through the door. When your RA asks to come in, tell him or her you would prefer to speak outside. You don’t need a reason, and don’t let your RA tell you otherwise. It’s your room and you are in control. This is crucial. By inviting them inside, anything in plain sight is fair game.
Once you leave the room as discreetly as possible, consider locking the door behind you. This may seem like an admission of guilt, but in truth you are just protecting yourself from an unwanted search. If your RA makes a comment, just say that it’s a force of habit. The less you have to say, the less they can use against you. Locking the door is a passive but sufficient way to get your point across.
In your discussion, don’t volunteer any information unless it’s specifically mentioned. Even then, you have the right not to self-incriminate. Unless your breath or room reeks of alcohol, refuse a search. By forcing the RA to call the police, you give yourself enough time to throw out or hide any evidence.
By the time the police arrive, you should be sobered up and prepared for the conversation. Only proof can constitute proof. They have nothing on you.
Admittedly, knowing your rights is no guarantee that they won’t be abused. Having a witness will make police think twice before flaunting their power or conducting an unwarranted search. In the end, it’s your word against theirs.
You should know that waiving your rights means they can no longer protect you. Don’t put your life on hold, but don’t put your life at risk either. Assert your rights and exercise caution.