Events and Alcohol Policy

The School of Law has adopted a formal policy governing the use of alcohol at functions held on campus and regulating the extent to which its funds may be used to purchase alcoholic beverages. The School of Law is an academic professional institution with a mission to educate and prepare students for the intellectually and morally demanding legal profession. Stress is a part of life, not only for the law student, but for the practitioner. Alcohol abuse poses a danger to students and professionals who grow to depend upon alcohol to handle stress. The following alcohol policy is designed to aid responsible decisions regarding alcohol use.

Alcoholic beverages at functions held on campus or funded by the School of Law will be available only in limited circumstances, for events that have a purpose clearly related to the law school program. Alcohol may not be provided or consumed in the building during the academic year during regular daytime business hours (8:30am - 5:00pm).  At other times, alcohol may be provided or consumed on school premises or using school funds only with permission; requests should be made to the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs. Requests should ordinarily be made at the beginning of the semester, but in any event at least two weeks before the affected event.  If alcohol is to be made available, the following rules apply:

1. All events where alcohol is available should be processed through the regular event booking procedure.

2. Consumption of alcoholic beverages must be limited to persons of legal drinking age. 

3. Alcoholic beverages may not be stored On-Campus. Exceptions may be made for events held On-Campus for storage of alcohol during the event by Aramark.

4. The department and/or sponsoring organization(s) shall act responsibly in determining the amount of alcohol to be provided.

5. The sponsoring department and/or organization(s) shall ensure non-alcoholic beverages and food are provided. Non-alcoholic beverages and food must remain in plain view, be easily accessible, and available in sufficient quantities. Alcoholic beverages can be served only as long as non-alcoholic beverages are available.

6. The sponsoring department and/or organization(s) shall take appropriate measures to monitor the consumption of alcohol and reduce the risk of inappropriate behavior including, but not limited to, harassment, threatening behavior, destruction of property, failure to comply with directions of university officials, possessing an open container outside of the event area, consuming a prohibited form of alcohol, drinking games, and underage consumption.

7. The sponsoring organization(s) will take appropriate measures to prevent the abuse of alcohol at the event.

8. The promotion of the event shall not be done in a manner that encourages excessive consumption of alcohol. Advertising should be limited to a single mention that alcohol is available, i.e. “keg provided” or “cash bar.”

9. If concerned for an intoxicated member or guest, the sponsoring department and/or organization is expected to seek assistance immediately.

10. If an event is hosted on a Sunday, alcohol may not be sold, served, or consumed before 10:00am.

11. Student organizations whose events and/or member actions involving alcohol and/or other drugs result in behavior that creates a risk of danger to the health and safety of themselves or others are subject to relevant conduct policies.