C15.0 Policy on University Events With Alcoholic Beverages

All members of the RIT Community shall comply with this Policy. This Policy applies to all University Events, as defined below, where Alcoholic Beverages are served or consumed.

Other university governance policies, such as the Faculty/Staff Alcohol and Drug Policy (C15.2), Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy (D18.1), and Vending Policy (C20.0) may also apply to University Events. In addition, other university administrative policies, such as the Controller’s Office Policies for Selected Discretionary Expenditures and the registration process for student clubs and organizational events may require additional authorizations and registrations for University Events. Compliance with this policy shall be in addition to compliance with all other applicable policies. This Policy does not apply to RIT global locations.

RIT is committed to actively supporting the health and wellness of all members of the RIT Community. In addition, RIT is committed to upholding local, state, and federal laws relating to the sale, distribution, and consumption of Alcoholic Beverages. This Policy seeks to support RIT’s commitments by establishing guidelines for the legal and responsible use of Alcoholic Beverages at University Events.

Terms not defined elsewhere in this Policy are defined below.

1. Alcoholic Beverages include, but are not limited to, alcohol, spirits, liquor, wine, beer, and any liquid containing or fortified with alcohol, spirits, liquor, wine, and beer.

2. Closed Event means a University Event that is limited to a particular university constituency by invitation only.

3. Open Event means a University Event that is not limited to a particular university constituency by invitation only.

4. RIT Community means any individual authorized to be on the RIT campus including administrators, faculty, staff, students and student organizations, alumni, and external organizations and individuals in their operations with RIT.

5. Specific University Purpose means one that advances the mission of the university, including the performance of job duties, and is consistent with its status as a New York not-for-profit educational corporation. University Events paid for or financed by the university shall be deemed to be held for a Specific University Purpose.

6. University Entity or Representative means a group or individual that rents or uses university property, a campus organization, a university college, division, department or unit, or an individual acting within the scope of their employment, on behalf of the university, for members of the university community.

7. University Event means a gathering of fifty (50) or more individuals sponsored by a University Entity or Representative, on or off-campus, in property owned leased, or controlled by the university. A University Event must be held for a Specific University Purpose in order to be governed by this Policy. A gathering of less than fifty (50) individuals is not a University Event, as defined under this Policy, and, therefore, not governed by this Policy even if sponsored by a University Entity or Representative and held for a Specific University Purpose. A gathering that is not a University Event may be required to comply with other applicable governance and administrative policies.

8. University Official means an officer of the university as defined in the RIT By-Laws (B00.1) or their designee. Public Safety officers shall also be considered University Officials for purposes of this Policy.

1. The service of Alcoholic Beverages is permitted at University Events only in accordance with the principles set forth in this Policy and applicable law.

2. All University Events with Alcoholic Beverages shall be sponsored and registered. Certain University Events with Alcoholic Beverages will also be required to obtain a valid state liquor permit or license in advance of the University Event. (See Section E below).

3. Sponsoring a University Event with Alcoholic Beverages

   1. A University Event with Alcoholic Beverages shall be sponsored by a current RIT faculty, staff, or student, who is over the age of twenty-one (21), has managerial or financial authority for the University Event and whose approval is required for the University Event. For purposes of this policy, an RIT faculty, staff, or student has managerial authority for the University Event when they can unilaterally cancel, alter, or reschedule the University Event without further approvals. An RIT faculty, staff, or student has financial authority for the University Event when they have signatory authority to spend the funds required for the University Event without further approvals.

   2. The sponsor shall ensure that the provisions of this Policy are enforced at the University Event.

   3. The sponsor may, but is not required to, be present at the University Event. If the sponsor is not present at the University Event, they shall designate an individual attending the event as the person responsible for fulfilling the sponsor’s obligations under this policy, and who otherwise satisfies the qualifications of a sponsoring individual under subsection 1.

   4. University Events where behavior is deemed inappropriate due to the service of alcohol, may be terminated by the sponsor or a University Official at any time, with or without notice.

   5. The service of Alcoholic Beverages at University Events may be suspended at the sole discretion of the sponsor or a University Official if it is determined by the sponsor or a University Official that violations of this Policy are occurring or are likely to occur.

   6. The sponsor or a University Official may determine within their sole discretion that RIT Public Safety Officers or security designees will be required and designated in advance of the University Event.

   7. The sponsor’s campus organization, university college, division, department or unit, shall be held monetarily responsible for any damage or additional cleaning charges assessed as a result of the University Event.

4. Registering a University Event with Alcoholic Beverages

   1. A University Event with Alcoholic Beverages shall also be registered.
   2. A University Event with Alcoholic Beverages sponsored by a student or student organization shall be registered utilizing the registration process for student clubs and organizational events.
   3. A University Event with Alcoholic Beverages sponsored by a University Entity or Representative shall be registered utilizing the form available here.
5. Licensing a University Event with Alcoholic Beverages
   1. All University Events where Alcoholic Beverages are available for purchase shall be sponsored, registered and shall also have the appropriate state alcohol permit or license in advance of the University Event.
      1. Alcoholic Beverages are available for purchase if it is sold at the University Event.
   2. All University Events where Alcoholic Beverages are available for other consideration shall be sponsored, registered and shall also have the appropriate state alcohol permit or license in advance of the University Event.
   3. Alcoholic beverages are available for other consideration if it is:
      1. part of the purchase of an admission ticket for the University Event, or
      2. served as part of a purchased meal, or
      3. provided in exchange for a donation or something of value.
   4. All University Events with Alcoholic Beverages required to be licensed under the provisions of this Policy, shall be catered by either Brick City Catering or a third party catering company licensed to sell Alcoholic Beverages in the state where the University Event is being held.
      1. If the University Event is catered by Brick City Catering, the sponsor shall work with Brick City Catering to obtain the appropriate state alcohol permit or license.
      2. If the University Event is catered by a third party catering company, the sponsor shall ensure that the third party catering company is licensed to sell Alcoholic Beverages and that the appropriate state alcohol permit or license is obtained for the catered University Event.
   5. University Events held at locations already licensed to sell Alcoholic Beverages are not required to obtain an additional state alcohol permit or license, provided that the Alcoholic Beverages are purchased from the licensed location.
6. Alcoholic Beverages must be served by a properly trained individual at University Events on an individual basis (i.e. one drink per person basis) and only to those of legal drinking age. A properly trained individual is one that has successfully completed a skills based program designed to prevent intoxication and underage drinking.
   1. Self-service of Alcoholic Beverages is prohibited.
   2. Drink specials are prohibited.
   3. An open bar may be allowed only at Closed Events.
   4. An open bar is prohibited at Open Events.
7. University Events with Alcoholic Beverages may be restricted to those of legal drinking age.
   1. If attendance at University Events with Alcoholic Beverages is allowed by those not of legal drinking age, the sponsor or a University Official shall put in place reasonable measures to prevent the consumption of Alcoholic Beverages by those not of legal drinking age.
   2. Reasonable measures to prevent the consumption of Alcoholic Beverages by those not of legal drinking age shall include, but not be limited to:
      1. the presentation of a valid government issued identification as proof of age, or
      2. the creation of separate designated drinking areas, or
      3. the identification by stamp, wristband, or other visible means of those not of legal drinking age.
8. University Events with Alcoholic Beverages shall advertise in accordance with applicable law and the provisions of this Policy.
   1. The presence and availability of Alcoholic Beverages at the University Event shall not be emphasized in any advertisement.
   2. No logos and/or brands of Alcoholic Beverages shall be used in any advertisement.
   3. The prices of Alcoholic Beverages shall not be listed on any advertisement.
   4. All advertisements shall state that one form of valid government issued identification showing proof of age is required to purchase alcohol.
9. University Events with Alcoholic Beverages shall also provide food and non- Alcoholic Beverages. Snack food such as chips and pretzels are not sufficient for compliance with this provision of this Policy.

Responsible Office: RIT Campus Club. Inquiries can be directed to alcoholevent@rit.edu.

Approved: April 10, 2017

Effective: April 10, 2017

Policy History:
Reviewed and reaffirmed Dec. 20, 2022