Alcohol and Catering Policy

Catering Guidelines

For all catered events using University funds, whether held on or off-campus, University Catering must be given right of first refusal before you can hire another caterer. Contact the Associate Dean for Student Affairsfor more information.

Alcohol Guidelines for Student Events

Use of University Funds

It is the policy of the Law School that University funds may only be used to purchase alcohol (beer and wine only) for student events if the event is held on campus or at a location owned by a non-student third party where a licensed vendor will provide and serve the alcohol. However, for all events, including those held at individual student homes, University funds may be used to pay for sober drivers, security, TIPS-trained monitors, food and non-alcoholic beverages.For all student organization-sponsored events on the University campus (Law Patio/Law Lawn included), TIPS certified servers will need to staff the event. Liquor may not be served in any form. Wine (and beer) may not be served from a punch bowl or other type of open container. If beer is to be served, kegs are permissible provided the relevant safety protocol is followed. In addition, a Public Safety officer will need to be present and sober drivers will need to be provided. In addition, there must be a student in charge of the event who will not be drinking and who can handle issues should they arise. Water must be clearly available in a visible location. Other non-alcoholic beverages are also encouraged. Food must also be available in a visible location. These items (water, non-alcoholic beverages and food) must remain available throughout the event.If attendees are going to be charged for attendance or for their drinks, then University Catering or a licensed third-party provider must staff the event and distribute the alcohol.Lastly, as a general policy, events at which alcohol will be served cannot be advertised to Undergraduate students (for example, via Campus Notices, posters placed on the Undergraduate campus, etc.)

Alcohol at On-Campus Events

For all on-campus events at which alcohol will be served, student organizations need to do the following:

  • Submit request for approval through the Office of Law Student Affairs by completing the Event Approval Form at least ten (10) business days prior to your event. 
  • Identify by name at least two (2) sober drivers for the event and provide those names to the Office of Law Student Affairs and to those attending the function. Include the fact that sober drivers will be available in any communication publicizing the event. The names and phone numbers of the sober drivers should be posted in a conspicuous location at the event. Sober drivers must be easily found at all times, and they should work with the TIPS trained/University trained monitors to identify and remove intoxicated individuals from the event. 
  • Identify a Public Safety officer.
  • Identify by name at least one sober, organization officer in charge of the event. This student can not be the same as individual as the TIPS-trained monitor, and he/she must remain sober throughout the event.  
  • Identify by name at least one TIPS-trained monitor. This person/These people must remain sober throughout the event and monitor the consumption of alcohol to promote safe and responsible consumption and should work with the sober drivers to remove intoxicated people from the event appropriately. 

Water must be clearly available in a visible location. Other non-alcoholic beverages are also encouraged. Food must also be available in a visible location. These items (water, non-alcoholic beverages and food) must remain available throughout the event.  

Restrictions

  • Serve beer and wine only. No hard liquor on campus.
  • No beer or alcohol is to be brought into Lewis Hall at any time without special permission. Faculty members and recognized student organizations may request permission to serve beer and wine at special events such as colloquia and receptions honoring visiting lecturers. Permission must be obtained in advance from the Office of Law Student Affairs.

Alcohol at Off-Campus Events (University Funds Used to Purchase Alcohol - Licensed, Non-Student Third-Party Vendor)

University funds may only be used to purchase beer and wine for student events held at a location owned by a non-student third party where a licensed vendor will provide and serve the alcohol. University funds may not be used to purchase hard liquor at such events or alcohol of any kind for events held at individual student homes.

For off-campus events at which alcohol purchased with University funds will be served, student organizations need to do the following:

  • Submit request for approval through the Office of Law Student Affairs by completing the Event Approval Form at least ten (10) business days prior to your event.
  • State in any communication publicizing the event that no one under 21 may drink.
  • Identify by name at least two (2) sober drivers for the event and provide those names to the Office of Law Student Affairs and to those attending the function. Include the fact that sober drivers will be available in any communication publicizing the event. The names and phone numbers of the sober drivers should be posted in a conspicuous location at the event. Sober drivers must be easily found at all times, and they should work with the TIPS trained monitors to identify and remove intoxicated individuals from the event.
  • Identify a Public Safety officer.  
  • Identify by name at least one sober, organization officer in charge of the event. This student can not be the same as individual as the TIPS trained/University trained monitor, and he/she must remain sober throughout the event. Identify by name at least one TIPS-trained monitor. This person/These people must remain sober throughout the event and monitor the consumption of alcohol to promote safe and responsible consumption and should work with the sober drivers to remove intoxicated people from the event appropriately.

Water must be clearly available in a visible location. Other non-alcoholic beverages are also encouraged. Food must also be available in a visible location. These items (water, non-alcoholic beverages and food) must remain available throughout the event.

Alcohol at Off-Campus Events (University Funds Not Used to Purchase Alcohol Served, but University Funds Used to Pay for Other Event-Related Expenses)

University funds may only be used to purchase beer and wine for student events held at a location owned by a non-student third party where a licensed vendor will provide and serve the alcohol. University funds may not be used to purchase hard liquor at such events or alcohol of any kind for events held at individual student homes.

If the event is law student organization-related, and the organization will be using University funds to pay for expenses related to the event, the organization should submit an Event Approval Form to the Office of Law Student Affairs at least ten (10) business days prior to your event.

Below please find a recommended practices for law student organization-related, off-campus events at which alcohol purchased with Non-University funds is to be served. Please note, this protocol is only recommended. It is not required:

  • State in any communication publicizing the event that no one under 21 may drink.
  • Identify by name at least two (2) sober drivers for the event. Include the fact that sober drivers will be available in any communication publicizing the event. The names and phone numbers of the sober drivers should be posted in a conspicuous location at the event. 
  • Identify by name at least one TIPS-trained/University trained monitor. This person/These people should remain sober throughout the event and monitor the consumption of alcohol to ensure safe and responsible consumption. This person/These people should actively look for overly intoxicated people and work with the sober drivers to remove these people from the event in the calmest possible effective manner. 

Water should be clearly available in a visible location. Other non-alcoholic beverages are also encouraged. Food should also be available in a visible location. These items (water, non-alcoholic beverages and food) should remain available throughout the event.

Alcohol Guidelines for Faculty Events Open to the Public

For all events at which alcohol will be served and students will be present: 

  • Notify the Office of Law Student Affairs at least ten (10) business days prior to your event.
  • Alcohol must be served by a licensed third party vendor unless a specific exception is granted.
  • Post a sign at the bar or keg indicating that no one under 21 may drink and also state that in any communication publicizing the event.
  • Identify by name at least two (2) sober drivers for the event and provide those names to the Office of Law Student Services and to those attending the function. Include the fact that sober drivers will be available in any communication publicizing the event. The names and phone numbers of the sober drivers should be posted in a conspicuous location at the event.