Established by Interfraternity and Panhellenic Councils’ Greek Standards Board
Last revised: April 22, 2004
1. The possession, use and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages, while on chapter premises or in any facility or area, during a fraternity/sorority event, or any situation sponsored or endorsed by a chapter, must be in compliance with any and all applicable laws and policies of the state, county, city and the Inter/National Organization.
• State Law: No one under 21 should be served alcohol or should be drinking alcohol at an event.
2. All social events involving alcohol must be provided through a third party vendor or must be Bring Your Own Beverage (BYOB). BYOB means that each person is allowed to bring a reasonable (6 pack) amount of alcohol that they can responsibly consume within the remaining course of the social event. No grain alcohol or distilled liquor is permitted in any form during a fraternity/sorority event (i.e. punch, jungle juice, etc.) unless it is a “third party vendor” party.
• There shall be NO bulk distribution of alcohol.
• No members of the chapter may purchase alcohol and provide it to all attendees.
• Anybody who consumes alcohol at a function should have either brought it with them or purchased it through a third party vendor.
• No one should be allowed free access to alcohol, i.e. serve themselves.
• Chapters will be held responsible for the amount of alcohol participants bring to the party.
3. Valid identification of those claiming to be of legal age for alcohol consumption is required. Each person of legal age shall be identified by a wristband. All minors will be distinguished by a mark.
• The entrance to the function will be well lit so that identification may be checked easily.
• Visibly intoxicated guests will not be permitted to enter the event and checks will be made before boarding transportation.
4. No alcoholic beverages may be purchased through the chapter treasury nor may any alcoholic beverages be purchased for members or guests by any chapter member (initiated member, associate, new member, pledge, or alumna/alumnus) in the name of or on behalf of the chapter. The purchase and/or use of a bulk quantity of an alcoholic beverage (i.e. kegs) is prohibited.
• No chapter members, collectively or individually, shall purchase for, serve to, or sell alcoholic beverages to any minor (i.e. those under legal “drinking age”).
5. The possession, sale and/or use of any ILLEGAL DRUGS or CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES at any chapter house, sponsored event, or any event that an observer would associate with the fraternity is strictly prohibited.
6. No chapter may co-sponsor an event with an alcohol distributor, charitable organization, or tavern (tavern defined as an establishment generating more than half of annual gross sales from alcohol) where alcohol is given away, sold or otherwise provided to those present. The only exception is when the chapter is co-sponsoring a philanthropic event (100% proceeds go to charity, except expenses other than alcohol) with a licensed tavern/bar. In this instance alcohol may be sold by the tavern or bar to participants of legal age. However, no freebies, give-aways, or prizes may consist of alcohol. In addition, no chapter may co-sponsor or co-finance a function where alcohol is purchased by any of the host chapters, groups or organizations.
7. No chapter shall serve, permit the use, possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages at recruitment functions, whether held at a chapter house or elsewhere.
• This applies to all chapter members, alumni, and guests.
8. Open social events, with unrestricted access by non-members of the fraternity/sorority, shall be prohibited.
• A specific invitation event will have a pre-determined guest list. The bulk distribution of invitations is not permitted.
• Each member shall be allowed only three guests at a fraternity/sorority function.
9. No member shall permit, tolerate, encourage, or participate in “drinking games.”
• Fraternity/Sorority members shall not force, pressure or coerce an individual to participate in “drinking games”, which include, but are not limited to, any game where drinking alcohol is incorporated in a competitive manner.
10. No alcohol shall be present at any new member/associate, member/novice, program/activity of the chapter.
11. At any event where alcohol is permitted, alternative beverages and food in sufficient quantities will be provided by the chapter(s) sponsoring the social function.
• Alternative food should and beverage should be non-salty, non-sweet.
12. All chapters will follow the provisions of these guidelines, state/local laws, university policies, and that of their international/national fraternities/sororities sponsoring or co-sponsoring the event. In all cases where the international/national/chapter policy is more stringent than this policy, the international/national/chapter policy provisions of each chapter are to be enforced by their respective chapter.
13. At any and all chapter events, party monitors must be appointed or hired who will not consume alcoholic beverages on the day of and throughout the entire duration of the event. These monitors shall assist in the enforcement of checking the guest list, maintaining only one entrance to the function, checking identification, determining the “reasonable amount of alcohol” attendees are bringing in, maintaining security, marking those of age and those not of age, and upholding all other aspects of this policy.
• There shall be one party monitor for every 20 persons present at the function.
14. Each chapter shall sponsor at least one alcohol awareness program/presentation per year for their respective chapter.
• 75% chapter participation in the University-sponsored speaker may be substituted.
15. At each function either sponsored or co-sponsored by the chapter, two sober members of the executive council shall be in attendance and be responsible for the actions of the chapter's members.
16. An annual review of this policy shall be conducted at the end of each academic year.
IMPORTANT REVIEW POINTS
• Identification must be checked.
• The chapter is responsible for keeping minors from being served alcohol.
• Definition of a Fraternity function: what a reasonable person would consider a function.
• All alcohol distribution must be by a third party vendor whether it is a cash bar or BYOB.
• BYOB=Bring Your Own Beverage. Each person must bring only what he/she can reasonably drink (6 pack of beer).
• Open social events are prohibited. All attendees must be specifically invited and appear on a guest list. A limit of three guests per member is to be observed.
• A ratio of 1 sober person per every 20 attendees must be observed.