The ACU Police Department was called in regarding three students in Edwards Hall having alcohol in their possession, which resulted in the students being charged with class C misdemeanors on Oct. 11.

ACU Police was alerted by a residence life employee that three students in the freshman and sophomore dorm had alcohol in their rooms. ACU Student life or ResLife are expected to report incidents regarding alcohol and drugs.

Jimmy Ellison, ACU Police Chief, said that ACU Police respond and take action only to criminal violations with the Texas laws. ACU Police is not responsible for university rule violations or residence hall policies.

“When we get called into an alcohol incident, we conduct a quick investigation in terms of what can be confirmed and who is in possession of what and if they are of legal age,” Ellison said. “In this case, three individuals were under age 21, and by Texas law, if you are under the age of 21 you cannot legally possess alcohol, and following that we take the appropriate enforcement action.”

The citation issued was a minor in possession (MIP) of alcohol. The underage students received a citation with a fine and will also have to attend an alcohol awareness course. The basis of the consequences for drinking or possessing alcohol underage is for the minor to learn from the incident and be drawn away from it happening again.

Ellison said this has not been a trend at ACU. There were only 13 liquor law violations on campus in 2018, according to the Annual Clery Report, in which ACU Police took action and issued citations. There were also seven liquor law violations that ACU Police were not involved in but were instead handled by Student Life or the Dean of Students.