Calif. University Wants Exemption from Social Host Law

Stanford University is seeking an exemption from a local county's social-host law, saying it should not be held legally responsible for underage drinking by students living in university housing.

The San Jose Mercury News reported Jan. 26 that school officials say they have their own underage drinking programs in effect and want a permanent exemption from the local ordinance, which calls for fines of $350 or more to be levied on “responsible persons” where underage drinking takes place.

The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted in favor of the permanent exemption for the school, the Stanford Daily reported Jan. 27.

“Here we have 90 percent of our undergraduates living in university housing on campus, so we in a sense are the landlord and the property owner,” said Stanford spokesperson Jean McCown. “And the ordinance is potentially trying to get to the landlord or the property owner.”

McCown said school policies require that all on-campus parties be registered with the school, and that Stanford has suspended fraternities for parties were underage drinking took place.

There were 135 reported incidents involving underage drinking by Stanford students during the 2008-09 school year, including 44 students who needed to be taken to the hospital.