• Student Handbook

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• Section 1:
  Before You Leave
  • Overview
  • Applying for a Visa
  • F-1 Visa Status
  • Checklist
  • Orientation
  • Transportation
• Section 2:
  Now That You're Here
  • Overview
  • Arrival Information
  • Climate in Region
  • Money & Banking
  • Housing & Dining
  • Working
  • Living 
  • Driving
  • Health Services & Medical Insurance
  • Culture Shock
  • Alcohol, Drugs & Legal Issues
• Section 3:
  Academic Information
  • Overview
  • Methods & Practices
  • Plagiarism
  • Useful Phone Numbers

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Alcohol, Drugs and Legal Issues

As an international student, you are subject to U.S. laws as they relate to international visitors. You are also protected by U.S. laws. Should you come into conflict with the law, the first person to contact is your International Student Advisor. They will let you know whom to contact next – either a lawyer or another responsible adult.

International students will not be deported for a single misdemeanor or a minor offense, e.g. petty theft, disturbing the peace, or drunkenness. But if an international student is convicted of a crime involving “moral turpitude” for which the student is sentenced to one year or more of confinement, deportation is a real possibility. Charges related to drug addiction, possession, and sale fall into this category. Students who violate immigration laws and work illegally in the U.S. may also be subject to deportation.

• U.S. laws concerning the sale and consumption of alcohol may seem very liberal or very constraining to you. In the U.S., it is illegal to purchase, consume, carry or otherwise transport alcoholic drinks, until you are 21 years of age. PSU has policies that restrict the consumption of alcoholic beverages on campus.
• The sale, distribution, use or possession of marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, ecstasy or any other drugs violates federal, state, local and university laws.
• PSU has restricted use of tobacco products on campus.

If you violate the rules of Plymouth State University and are disciplined by suspension or dismissal from the university, you will not have maintained legal status under the immigration laws, and you can be required to leave for that reason. Finally, a student should consider the attitude of his/her home government towards actions here, for your home government is able to withdraw or cancel one’s passport.

We expect each student to fully acknowledge and understand the policies and rules of the University. Information regarding policies regarding alcohol and substance use is found in the PSU Student Handbook.