Student Handbook - New England Culinary Institute

and/or materials being immediately removed or
confiscated, which may include disciplinary fines.
Educational Tasting of Alcoholic Beverages
According to Vermont state law, all students 18 or
older may taste alcoholic beverages in a class under
the supervision of a NECI instructor. The following
requirements are based on commonly accepted
professional tasting guidelines.
• No students under the age of 18 may actively
participate in tastings.
• Alcohol tastings must occur between the hours of
9 am and 7 pm.
• All alcohol tastings must include food (minimum
of bread) and water.
• All pours are done by the instructor or his/her
designee.
• Students must spit, unless the intent of the tasting
involves food/wine interactions being examined
as part of food and wine pairings. Students must
taste from individual containers.
• In the case of food and wine pairings, the total
amount of alcohol tasted per day is not to exceed
6 oz. of beer or wine, or 1 oz. of spirits.
• Students may be involved in a maximum of two
tastings per day.
• The maximum size pour for beers or wines is 2
oz.
• All straight spirits must be tasted using sipsticks.
• During any tasting, a maximum of ten (10)
wines, beers, or mixed cocktails may be tasted,
and a maximum of five (5) straight spirits.
Under special circumstances, the Director of
Academic Services may approve a request to taste
additional wines or may grant permission for a
tasting to occur with a dinner after 7 pm.
Any student activities sponsored club or gathering,
such as a special student meal, organized to learn
more about and taste wines must include an
instructor and must adhere to the above guidelines
and be approved by the Director of Academic
Coordinator of Student Programs. In any case,
student participants must be 21 or older. Tasting
rules and procedures are to be reviewed prior to
each tasting with presenters as well as participants.
NECI Penalties
The minimum penalties for any offense associated
with the college’s Drug and Alcohol Abuse
Prevention Policy, in addition to removal or
confiscation of all prohibited items and materials,
may include:
First offense:
1. A $125 fine will be imposed. This fine must be
paid prior to resumption of classes.
2. A disciplinary letter of review will be entered in
the student’s file.
3. Parents/guardians of any student under the age
of 21 may be notified of any violation of the
drug and/or alcohol policies.
Second offense:
1. A $250 fine will be imposed. This fine must be
paid prior to resumption of classes.
2. Providing an illegal substance or alcohol to a
minor is an automatic second offense and is
punishable by law.
3. A disciplinary letter of review will be entered in
the student’s file.
4. Parents/guardians of any student under the age
of 21 may be notified of any violation of the
drug and/or alcohol policies.
Third offense:
1. A $500 fine will be imposed. This fine must be
paid prior to the resumption of classes.
2. The student will be required to leave student
housing and may be suspended from the
program. A disciplinary letter of review will be
entered in the student’s file.
3. Parents/guardians of any student under the age
of 21 may be notified of any violation of the
drug and/or alcohol policies.
NOTE: Depending on circumstances, second and
third offense penalties may apply earlier,
particularly in cases of providing drugs or alcohol
to underage students or being found with mass
quantities of drugs or alcohol. This may also
include the notification of local police or the State
Alcohol Control Board investigators. Under certain
circumstances, a specific deadline extension may be
granted and/or a work plan established to pay a fine.
State Penalties
NECI has developed a positive relationship with
local police over the years and will cooperate fully
with any investigation by state, local, and federal
authorities. Situations in which NECI employees
will automatically call the police include, but are
not limited to: incidents where a student threatens
his/her own life or that of others; violent behavior;
refusal to cease disorderly behavior when asked;
suspected illegal alcohol or substance use, and the
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