SOCIAL EVENTS WITH ALCOHOL
If fraternities and sororities choose to host social events with alcohol, they are expected to provide safe and inclusive spaces for their members and guests. In order to provide such spaces, fraternities and sororities are expected to follow these social event policies in addition to the policies outlined in the College’s Social Event Policy.
Risk Management Plans
Fraternities and sororities that choose to host social events with alcohol must submit a risk management plan to the Office of Student Activities & Greek Life at least 48 hours prior to their first social event with alcohol each semester. Risk management plans should include both general risk management strategies and policies as well as specific information about how social events with alcohol are managed.
Organizations with residential facilities must conduct a risk management walkthroughs with Campus Safety at least 24 hours prior to their first social event with alcohol each semester.
Sober Monitors and TIPS Servers
Fraternities and sororities that serve as the primary host are expected to provide six (6) sober monitors and two (2) TIPS Servers for the duration of any social event with alcohol. One of these sober monitors must be designated as the Lead Sober Monitor who will be responsible for managing the event and interacting with College officials. The Lead Sober Monitor must be a member of the organization’s leadership team/executive board.
All other co-sponsoring organizations are expected to provide a minimum of two (2) sober monitors to assist with the management of the event. These sober monitor must be present for all applicable walkthroughs and must check out with Campus Safety when their event is over.
Sober monitors and TIPS Servers must be members of the organization they are assigned to represent.
The assigned Sober Monitors are expected to:
- Remain sober for the duration of the social event;
- Maintain a safe environment for all event attendees;
- Work with Campus Safety to ensure social events are safe and well managed including completing all event walkthroughs;
- Work collaboratively with all other Sober Monitors including those from co-sponsoring organizations;
- Make themselves clearly identifiable to guests as a resource;
- Respond to issues that could impact student safety including those reported to them by guests;
- Contact Campus Safety if they are unable to properly address an issue or concern or if they need to remove a guest from the facility;
- Manage the entrance/exit to the facility and ensure decisions about access comply with all College policies;
- Distribute provided wristbands to guests that are over the age of 21;
- Prevent guests from entering the facility with their own alcohol unless the event is BYOB;
- Remain in the social event space unless they are conducting checks of the interior or exterior of the facility; and
- Prevent guests from entering spaces they should not be accessing during the social event (ex. residential spaces and the interior of the facility during an outdoor event)
The assigned TIPS Servers are expected to:
- Remain sober for the duration of the social event;
- Maintain a safe environment for all event attendees;
- Responsibly distribute alcohol at the event in compliance with College policy and applicable laws;
- Maintain the serving area throughout the duration of the event; and
- Make Sober Monitors aware of concerning behavior of issues of that could impact student safety.
All members of an organization present at a sponsored event, including those that are not serving as Sober Monitors or TIPS Servers, are expected to help provide a safe and inclusive experience for attendees. Members that become aware of situations that could negatively impact the safety or wellbeing of an attendee should make the Sober Monitors at the event aware of the concern.
Outdoor Social Events with Alcohol
Residential organizations may host outdoor social events in the immediate area around their facility provided they are able maintain a safe environment for students. The Office of Student Activities & Greek Life, in consultation with other campus departments as needed, will approve outdoor events based on projected weather conditions, the time of the event, if there will be adequate sunlight, and any other factors that could negatively impact the safety or wellbeing of students. If an event is approved to be outdoors, the organization must erect a temporary fence around the area where the event will behosted.
If unforeseen weather conditions occur, outdoor social events may be canceled, delayed, or rescheduled at the discretion of the Campus Safety Director On-Call. Decisions about changes to the event will be made based on the availability of staff to support events, the number of events that need to be changed, and if there are other priorities on campus that would limit the ability of the College to support the event.
Off-Campus Social Events with Alcohol
Fraternities and sororities may host closed social events with alcohol off-campus at licensed third-party vendors. These events must be registered with the Office of Student Activities & Greek Life. Exceptions to the College’s policy regarding what day social events with alcohol can take place may be granted to non-residential organizations for off-campus events at the discretion of the Director of Student Activities & Greek Life. Exceptions will only be given for events that could not occur on campus due to a lack of available venues.
Drinking Games and Similar Equipment
Fraternities and sororities may not use or store drinking games or similar equipment (ex. funnels) even if not being used during a social event with alcohol.