Planning a Social Event with Alcohol

Intoxication, disorderly conduct or bad manners where liquor is present are serious offenses, subjecting the student offender to disciplinary action that may include suspension or expulsion from the College (Faculty Regulation Dl.l).

State and local liquor laws must be adhered to. Bring Your Own Beverage events may be held outdoors through the regular procedure for registering an event with alcohol.

Social events with alcohol must be approved for residential common areas such as suite living rooms, floor or building lounges, and fraternity "party" rooms. A Social Event Registration Form (available in the Campus Life office) must be filled out and approved by Campus Life staff before event invitations/publicity are distributed.

Social Events with Alcohol are only permitted in the traditional residence hall common room areas when the majority of the residents living in that specific area/suite are 21 or older.

The only permissible means of distributing or dispensing alcoholic beverages at an approved social event is by cash bar or B.Y.O.B.

Campus-wide events with alcohol present, which are open to all students, faculty, and staff and are sponsored by the College, Union Board, or other student organizations, may take place in Seymour Union or other areas approved by the Dean of Students. Alcohol is to be regulated according to College alcohol policies.

Alcohol can be permitted in designated areas of Seymour Union when purchased through a cash bar, operated through the Knox College Food Service liquor license. The patio outside the Gizmo is not a designated area.

On occasion for special events, alcohol can be permitted in other areas of the campus with the specific authorization of the Dean of Students. Hosts for such events have the responsibility to ensure that the distribution, possession, and consumption of alcohol is in compliance with state and local laws and College policies and regulations.

Student organization funds, Student Activity Fees funds, the combined funds of members of organizations (including fraternities or sororities), or funds of outside agencies shall not be used to acquire alcoholic beverages. The only permissible means of distributing or dispensing alcoholic beverages at an approved social event is by cash bar or B.Y.O.B.

Individuals may purchase alcohol for their personal use at an approved social event with a cash bar operated by a licensed, third-party vendor (including the Knox College Food Service).

The bartender at the cash bar will be responsible for checking for legitimate proof of age.

Sponsors, sponsoring organization, and guests will be responsible for ensuring that alcohol is not in the possession of those under the legal age of consumption.

Individuals may bring alcohol for their personal use at an approved B.Y.O.B. social event.

All use of common containers (that is, requiring a tap) of beer, alcohol or wine on the campus or at related functions is prohibited unless dispensed by a licensed, third-party vendor such as the Knox College Food Service.

At a social event with alcohol, a reasonable quantity of food and nonalcoholic beverage other than water must be served. A reasonable quantity is defined as lasting throughout the duration of the event or as long as alcohol is served.

"Closed Parties" (social events with alcohol where access is restricted to hosts and guests): Social events with alcohol in residential areas, including fraternity houses and auxiliary houses, are to restrict attendance to members of the sponsoring group or organization and their guests on the guest list.

Advertising or publicity related to alcohol or to any event where alcohol is to be present, either by an individual or an organization, is restricted to the designation of "B.Y.O.B." or "cash bar."

For campus-wide events such advertising may be posted in appropriate areas only in the case of an approved campus-wide event.

For social events with alcohol in residential areas, the sponsoring organization may include a designation of "B.Y.O.B." or "cash bar" in the invitations to guests. Unless approved by the Office of Student Development or the Student Life Committee, any other promotional materials for alcoholic beverages may not be displayed in public areas (including bulletin boards) of the campus.

All policies and procedures relating to alcoholic beverage use shall apply throughout the academic year, with no exceptions for times when school is not in session or for such special events as Homecoming and Flunk Day.

Registration is required when attendance at the social event with alcohol is, or is anticipated to be, equal to or greater than the numbers listed herein:

• Room or suite with capacity less than or equal to four. If there are or are anticipated to be 12 people in attendance, the event must be registered. (This applies to any single or double room, any suite in Williston, or to any apartment in Hamblin).
• Suite or house with capacity of five to 12, inclusive. If there are or are anticipated to be three times the capacity in attendance, the event must be registered. This also applies to all Houses including Peterson, ABLE, or International House; any suite in Old Quad or New Quad.
• Suite or house with capacity of 13 to 22, inclusive. If there are or are anticipated to be 2.5 times capacity or 36, whichever is larger, in attendance, the event must be registered. (This applies to Post suites and Seymour floors).
• House, suite, floor with capacity 23 to 35. If there are or are anticipated to be 2 times capacity or 55, whichever is larger, in attendance, the event must be registered. (This applies to any floor of Williston or any fraternity house).
• Area with capacity more than 35. The event must be registered and it must be held in an approved common area of that building if one is available such as the Post lounge, Williston basement, or Sherwin basement, or in a designated area of Seymour Union. (This applies to two or more suites of Post, floors of Seymour, floors of Williston, or a floor of Hamblin.)
• Combined suites or areas that do not have a building lounge. Event must be held in a designated area of Seymour Union and must be registered. (This applies to two or more suites in Old Quad or New Quad unless Sherwin basement is used for a New Quad event).

Early Registration: To arrange an event with a cash bar, provided by the Knox College Food Service, registration will need to be filed a week in advance of the event to allow sufficient time to have alcohol delivered to campus.

Sponsors

• The sponsors shall be at least 21 years of age.
• Sponsors must also be able to demonstrate that they are aware of College policies and regulations and state and local laws concerning the possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages.
• Sponsors are responsible for ensuring that alcohol regulations are enforced and that the procedures outlined in this and other relevant sections are followed, including but not limited to procedures for guest lists, monitors, fire code capacity, possession of alcohol only by those of legal age of consumption, food and nonalcoholic beverage.
• Sponsors will ensure that each person is checked for legitimate proof of age. Guests (or hosts) at least 21 years of age will be marked, preferably by bracelet or other easily visible symbol, permitting them to consume alcohol at the events.
• Sponsors are required to read and sign a Sponsor responsibility form before a social event with alcohol is approved. The form must be read, signed and kept on file in the Campus Life Office.
  

Residential Areas

• If the social event is in a residential area and is therefore to have restricted access, a guest list (including hosts) is to be submitted at the time of registration.
• The guest list should be accompanied by a reasonable estimate of the number of persons of legal age of consumption and the number not of legal age of consumption who will be attending.
• The total number on the guest list (including hosts) should not exceed the fire code capacity of the location of the social event.
• Only those people who appear on the guest list are to be in attendance.
• Guests are responsible for their own behavior.

Whoever invites a non-Knox student is responsible for ensuring that the guest abides by all laws and College regulations that pertain. Whoever invites the guest is ultimately responsible for the guest's infraction of the law or College regulations or policies.

If the social event is in Seymour Union, attendance may be open to the entire campus. If the sponsoring organization or group so chooses, attendance may be restricted. In this case, the sponsoring organization or group should comply with guest list regulations.

Monitors
The sponsoring organization or groups must provide a sufficient number of people to monitor the doors where the event is being held. The name and signatures of monitors must be submitted as part of the registration process.
Monitors are to oversee the entryways to the social event to determine that only authorized people are admitted.

• Monitors in Seymour Union. Monitors are to ensure that cash bar monitor responsibilities are met.
• Monitors in Residential Areas. Monitors are to ensure that only guests (or hosts) listed on the guest list are admitted.
• Monitors at B.Y.O.B. will have additional responsibilities.
• Monitors at Cash Bar Event. Monitors are to ensure that no beverages or beverage containers are carried into or out of the event.
• Professional Monitors. In the event that a professional agency is retained to monitor the entryways, as part of the registration for the event the sponsoring organization or group must provide verification from the agency (preferably in writing) that the requisite number of persons has been retained and will be provided, and that these individuals understand their responsibilities.
• Types of alcohol to be present are limited to beer, wine (maximum 12% alcohol), and alcoholic coolers (maximum 12% alcohol), regardless of the location or method of distribution.
• Monitors are required to read and sign a Monitor responsibility form before a social event with alcohol is approved. The form must be read, signed and kept on file in the Campus Life Office.

Regulations for B.Y.O.B. (Bring Your Own Beverage) Social Events

• B.Y.O.B. events must conform to the regulations of this section in addition to those of Sections I-IV and any pertinent sections that follow.
• Registration is required for B.Y.O.B. events.
• Sponsors. Additional responsibilities of sponsors are to ensure that additional conditions of B.Y.O.B. event are followed.
• Collection of Alcohol. The sponsoring organization is responsible for collecting the alcohol and redistributing it to its owners. Hosts will provide cups at the door for those with bottles.
• The amount of alcohol each guest (or member of the sponsoring organization) of legal age is allowed to bring will be limited to one of the following: a 6 pack of beer (12 oz. each), or a 4 pack of alcoholic coolers (12 oz. each, 12% alcohol maximum) or a 750 ml bottle of wine (12% alcohol maximum).
• Monitors at B.Y.O.B, in addition to other monitor responsibilities, are responsible for ensuring that alcohol of guests is transferred to the sponsoring organization at the door, and that only persons of legal age of consumption are permitted to bring alcohol into the event.

Additional Regulations for Midweek Social Events with Alcohol

• Midweek alcohol-related social events must conform to the regulations of this section in addition to those of Sections I-V and any pertinent sections that follow.
• Registration is required for midweek social events with alcohol.
• Recognized student organizations or groups may sponsor a midweek social event with alcohol in designated areas of the Seymour Union.
• Recognized student organizations may sponsor a midweek social event with alcohol in their own residential area with permission of those who live there.
• Recognized student organizations or groups may sponsor no more than two midweek social events with alcohol per term. No more than two midweek social events with alcohol may be held in any given residential area per term. The total of two will be met in one (and only one) of the following ways:
  • A maximum of two midweek events in designated areas of Seymour Union.
  • A maximum of two midweek social events with alcohol in their own residential area.
  • One midweek social event with alcohol in their own residential area and one midweek event in a designated area of Seymour Union.
• No organization or group is allowed to have two midweek social events with alcohol in a row.
• The group may register only one midweek social event with alcohol at a time.
• There shall not be more than one midweek social event with alcohol on a weekday for any given week.
• Registrations will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Midweek social events with alcohol are to have restricted attendance. Attendance must be by invitation. This number shall not exceed 150.
• Serving of alcohol must be finished by midnight and the event must end by 12:30 a.m.