SDSU ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS POLICIES

Alcoholic beverages at off-campus events

The following policies apply to all off-campus events sponsored, organized, planned, coordinated, financed, or promoted by the organization, any activity held at an organization-related facility, or any activity that an observer would reasonably associate with the organization. For example, a social event where most of those invited are members of the same organization would normally be considered to be an organization-related event:

• Organizations are expected to be familiar with and comply with State of California laws regulating the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages.
• Unless held at a licensed establishment with professional bartenders, hard liquor (alcoholic beverages other than beer or wine) shall not be consumed at organization events.
• Open parties, meaning those with unrestricted access by non-members without specific invitation, where alcoholic beverages are present are forbidden. For events (except events for alumni and family members) where the number of guests is anticipated to exceed the number of members, a guest list must be submitted to Student Activities and Campus Life in advance of the event, along with the name of the member who invited each guest. Members are responsible for the behavior (including underage drinking) of guests they invite.
• In promoting events, alcoholic beverages may not be referred to in publicity, including signs, fliers, mailings, email lists, websites, and media announcements. Illustrations must not make reference to alcoholic beverages (e.g., no pictures of kegs, cocktail glasses, beer mugs, etc.).
• At all events where alcoholic beverages are consumed, except those held at licensed establishments where beverages are sold, provisions shall be provided for the free and conspicuous distribution of non-alcoholic beverages and food in adequate supply. An "adequate supply" of beverages is a quantity sufficient to provide at least one beverage serving per hour for all members and guests who are under the age of 21.
• No organization shall permit any person who is under the age of 21 or who is obviously intoxicated to consume alcoholic beverages at organization functions. Use of wristbands and/ private security guards hired to check age identification may be required. At joint functions each organization is responsible for keeping those under the age of 21 from consuming alcoholic beverages.
• At events where the number of guests exceeds the number of members, private, licensed security guards or employees of the licensed establishment, shall be responsible for checking the identification and providing wristbands or hand-stamps to persons over the age of 21 who wish to consume alcoholic beverages. The security personnel are responsible for patrolling the event to ensure that only those persons with the designated wristband or hand-stamp are consuming alcoholic beverages.
• An organization sponsoring an event has an obligation to provide the safety of any members or guests who exhibit intoxication. This might require taking the person home or allowing the person to spend the night and ensuring that someone is present to monitor their condition until they are sober. If the person is unconscious, is breathing irregularly, has a weak pulse, or has discolored skin, immediate medical attention should be sought.
• Unless the event is held within a half-mile of the SDSU campus, whenever alcohol is being consumed at an event and busses or public transportation are not being provided, the organization shall provide designated sober drivers to transport all members and guests. The designated sober drivers shall not consume any alcohol whatsoever at the event or within 6 hours prior to driving.
• No organization shall at any time compel individuals to consume alcoholic beverages.
• No money whatsoever, including "donations," entertainment fees, admission charges, etc., may be collected at any function where alcoholic beverages are provided, unless held at an establishment with a license from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. (Note: Department policy prohibits the issuance of 1-day beer/ wine and liquor licenses for college student social functions not held at a licensed establishment. This means that, unless held at a licensed establishment, student organizations cannot hire caterers or third-party vendors to provide alcoholic beverages.)
• Organized competitions involving the consumption of alcoholic beverages are prohibited at all organization functions.
• Neither "grain alcohol" nor any such distilled liquor that exceeds 100 proof, or above 50% pure grade alcohol per volume (e.g., "Everclear," etc.), shall be present in any form or mixture during an organization event.
• Unless a waiver is granted by Student Activities and Campus Life, an organization may not purchase or reimburse funds or credits nor may the purchase of same be undertaken or coordinated by any member on behalf of the organization. No organization members may provide alcoholic beverages directly or indirectly to members or guests by selling tickets or cups, by collecting admission fees or donations, by special assessments (e.g., a formal dance assessment that includes drink tickets), by taking a collection ("passing the hat"), by dues rebates, by maintaining a "social fund" or account, or by using any means of collecting monies from persons attending organization functions. All alcoholic beverages consumed at organization functions held off-campus must be brought by the individual members and guests attending the function for their own personal consumption or through a cash bar operated by a licensed establishment where the function is held. Drink tickets, regardless of how they are financed, cannot be given away at chapter events held at hotels, etc. -- even if the tickets can be redeemed for either alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages. Members must purchase their own drinks or drink tickets directly from the licensed establishment.
• Unless a waiver is granted by Student Activities and Campus Life, the purchase and/or use of any bulk quantity of alcoholic beverages or providing a common source of alcohol (e.g., kegs, miniature kegs, alcoholic punch, coolers filled with canned beer, open bars, etc.) is expressly prohibited. (A keg shell present on organization premises shall be considered evidence of a violation of this policy.) Organizations that attend a jointly-sponsored event where a common source of alcohol is present shall have 10 minutes to either have the source removed or have all members leave the function; otherwise, all participating organizations become jointly responsible for the presence of the common source of alcohol.
• At "BYOB" functions, individuals 21 years of age or older may bring not more than a 6-pack of 12-ounce beers (2 individuals arriving together may bring a 12-pack or a 4-pack of 12-ounce wine coolers).
• Unless a waiver is granted by Student Activities and Campus Life, no alcoholic beverages shall be present at any organization recruitment function, regardless of location. A recruitment function is defined as any activity where the primary purpose is membership recruitment.
• Student organizations may not sponsor or co-sponsor events out of the United States where alcoholic beverages are consumed.
• No alcoholic beverages shall be present at any pledge/ associate/ new member program or activity of social fraternities and sororities, including, but not limited to, initiation or pre-initiation activities, pledge or associate member retreats, pledge/new member exchanges, new member interviews, and big brother/sister revealing. This includes bringing alcoholic beverages as gifts.
• The possession, sale and/or use of any illegal drug controlled substance at an organization-related event or at an organization-related facility is prohibited. If organization officers become aware of such activity, it is their responsibility to immediately terminate the activity and initiate disciplinary action against the responsible members. If the organization officers fail to take such action, the organization assumes responsibility for the activity.
• Whenever a social event is taking place at organization-related facilities (such as Fraternity Row and fraternity and sorority chapter houses), all alcohol consumption is prohibited in bedrooms and apartments. In organization-related facilities, bottles of hard alcohol are only permitted in the rooms of the residents who are over the age of 21. No hard alcohol may be consumed during an event held at organization-related facilities. During times when a social event is not in progress, only active members and alumni over the age of 21 (i.e., no minors or guests) shall be allowed to consume hard alcohol in the common areas of organization-related facilities.
• Social fraternity and sorority activities held during the first five weeks of the fall semester and the first three weeks of the spring semester must be alcohol-free, with the exception of private post-recruitment events held at facilities licensed to sell alcohol (such as a hotel).

Other policies applicable to fraternities and sororities:

Alcohol at Greek Philanthropies and "Walkarounds" - Alcoholic beverages cannot be present at any Greek philanthropy event, unless the event is a licensed establishment and has been approved by Fraternity and Sorority Life. Alcohol is not permitted at "walkarounds" (an activity where groups of fraternity or sorority members travel to chapter meetings to make announcements or presentations).