skip to main content
Caltech
Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences
Home  /  Academics  /  Field Trips  /  Alcohol Policy

Alcohol Policy

Policy on the Use of Alcohol on GPS Division-Sanctioned Field Trips

Caltech's Substance Abuse Policy provides that it is the policy of the Institute to maintain a work and academic environment free from drug and alcohol abuse. This policy also prohibits every employee from being under the influence of controlled substances, alcohol, or any substance that may impair the employee's ability to perform their job duties safely or productively, or that may otherwise impair their senses, coordination, or judgment while on duty. The Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences considers all persons participating in field classes to be on duty at all times for the entire duration of a class trip. Thus, no alcohol or drugs may be consumed by any participants or instructors on class-related field trips.

For field trips not related to a class (e.g., research-related field trips, enrichment trips, or similar), field trip participants shall not consume alcohol while working in the field, or at any time when operating or riding in a motorized vehicle. During off hours (after the normal intellectual endeavors of the day are complete, either while back at camp/nightly lodging or restaurants), members are expected to act lawfully and responsibly with respect to the possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages. The same expectations of behavior and conduct are to be adhered to as would apply to members of the Institute while at a conference or other meetings at off-campus sites.

Specifically, the division requires that:

  • No one under the drinking age of 21 consumes alcohol (including beer and wine) at any time during a division-sponsored field trip.
  • A sufficient number of designated drivers must be identified to transport participants to and from the field in case of an emergency or unforeseen event at all times during a field trip. The designated drivers must follow the rules in the subsequent bullet point.
  • No designated drivers may use alcohol within an 8-hour period before or while driving for a trip. According to the State of California Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Code:
    • It is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) that is 0.08% or more.
    • Drivers under the age of 21 years, if found to have a BAC of 0.01% or more, will be subject to a driver license sanction.
    • A BAC below legal limits does NOT mean that it is safe to drive. Two drinks in an hour can make anyone an unsafe driver. (Information from the California Driver Handbook.)
    • It is unlawful for any person who has a 0.04 percent or more BAC to drive a commercial motor vehicle, which includes buses.
  • The policy of the Division and the Institute policy will prevail over the laws of the location (e.g., persons under the age of 21 are not permitted to use alcohol in Mexico even though the legal drinking age there is 18).

The Division requires that its members exercise common sense and be guided by the Caltech Honor Code in applying this policy.

Updated: December 2024