GOVERNING PRINCIPLES: It is illegal, and a violation of university policy, for any person less than 21 years of age to consume, purchase, or possess an alcoholic beverage. All policies and procedures for possession, consumption, and handling of alcoholic beverages must comply with N.C. G.S, Chapter 18B and university policy. Violators will be disciplined in accordance with appropriate university rules and regulations, in addition to penalties under state law. All students should be familiar with the alcohol beverage laws of North Carolina. Copies are available in Hunter Library.
Specific procedures must exist to check and identify underage persons, anytime alcoholic beverage consumption by such persons may occur.
State appropriated funds, trust funds, grant or contract funds, student fees collected by WCU, or other restricted funds under the jurisdiction of the University Controller's Office, must not be used to purchase alcoholic beverages unless they are being purchased for cooking purposes in academic classes. For University held events, alcohol may only be purchased from Foundation funds; qualifying student organizations must use personal funds. (The procedure for using alcoholic beverages in academic classes, developed by the Department of Human Environmental Sciences - for its classes only, is attached.)
Under no circumstance may any department, office, person, organization, or business entity sell alcoholic beverages on the University's campus. "Sale" means any transfer, trade, exchange, or barter, in any manner or by any means, for consideration, including, but not limited to, required fees or the purchase of tickets for admission to an event at which alcoholic beverages will be served. Likewise, donations may not be required or solicited in connection with such an event. [N.C. G.S. section 18B-1002 and 1006]
All individuals, including students, employees, and guests living on campus, are permitted to transport only unopened containers of alcoholic beverages to their campus residences or elsewhere on campus.
At campus areas for which the NC Alcohol Beverage Commission may have issued permits, any possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages must also be subject to the special rules or procedures, adopted by the University, for that area.
In the event of conflict between this policy and the facility specific procedure for a University location, this general campus policy will control. In all instances of facility specific procedures, the above GOVERNING PRINCIPLES shall apply.
AUTHORIZED AREAS ON CAMPUS: Unless prohibited by administrative action, alcoholic beverages on campus may be possessed or consumed in the following University designated locations only:
a. The campus residences of legal age students, employees, and guests. For purposes of this policy, the residence of a student living in a residence hall is defined to mean only the assigned campus room in the residence hall and does not include any public or common area of the residence hall. (Consult the WCU Residential Living Office or its Web page http://housing.wcu.edu/policies_Regs.asp for rules concerning campus residences, and instances where consumption and possession of alcoholic beverages might be prohibited by administrative action);
b. U.C. Club Illusions and Cats Den. Only malt beverages and unfortified wine may be consumed at U.C. Club Illusions' and Cats Den events. Consumption must be in accordance with the Club Illusions' and Cats Dens rules and procedures;
c. University approved tailgating events. Only malt beverages and unfortified wine may be consumed at University approved tailgating events, in approved campus tailgating parking lots: Baseball field lots, Stadium lot and Creek lot, Fieldhouse lot, and Belk lot. (See information below for rules and procedure concerning tailgating);
d. Only malt beverages and unfortified wine may be served and consumed at the following campus locations listed and for the educational related events specified below.
Locations:
Ramsey Regional Activity Center
Jordan-Phillips Fieldhouse
Cordelia Camp Building
Bird Alumni House
Madison Hall
A.K. Hinds University Center
Fine and Performing Arts Center
Cats Den (Brown)
Other locations deemed appropriate by the Chancellor
Events:
Banquets, dinners, receptions, educational conferences or conventions, and special one-time occasions scheduled by the Office of the Chancellor, University academic or administrative units, the WCU Foundation, and officially recognized University student organizations at Western Carolina University.
Groups that do not meet the above criteria [item d] will be directed to seek service at facilities in the Sylva-Cullowhee area or elsewhere. The above University entities are prohibited from acting as a sponsor for an outside group; entities must participate in and actively take responsibility for such an event.
SERVICE POLICIES: Any on-campus booking that entails service and consumption of malt beverages or unfortified wine requires approval in writing, in accordance with this policy and the approval process for the event facility. (Also see UC Club Illusions BYOB policy below for specific BYOB rules and serving procedures.)
Alcohol may not be served to those exhibiting unusual behavior, impaired speech, lack of motor coordination, or any other indications of intoxication, when such behavior appears to be the result of any substance abuse. Intoxicated persons are prohibited from consuming alcoholic beverages on university premises. Facility staff, event staff, waiters, security, and others may identify and notify University Police to remove anyone who is disruptive, due to apparent alcohol consumption or other substance abuse. If removed from the event, the University does not condone and is expressly against anyone driving while under the influence of alcohol or other judgment impairing substance; removal of such persons should be in accordance with University Police policy and state law.
Malt beverages and unfortified wine may be served only in conjunction with a University authorized event, using only University-contracted catering.
Alcoholic beverages must be used only as complements to an event's meal or hors d'oeuvres, not as the primary focus.
Non-alcoholic beverages must be available at the same place as the alcoholic beverages and featured as prominently as the alcoholic beverages.
Service of malt beverages and unfortified wine may begin no sooner than one (1) hour prior to an event's scheduled meal service time; alcoholic beverage service must be discontinued upon completion of the catered meal's food servings. For receptions or events only serving hors d'oeuvres, alcoholic beverage service is limited to one (1) hour only.
Malt beverages and unfortified wine, for service and consumption in the buildings previously listed above, must be purchased by the event applicant/sponsor and turned over to the University's contracted catering/service provider prior to the event. (See Alcohol Event Service Procedures below for further details.)
At occasions where malt beverages or unfortified wines are served, University-contracted catering staff must provide trained bartenders, waiters, and/or waitresses and the cost of their service will be charged to the event's applicant/sponsor. Set-ups, supplies, security, and usage fees, if any, will also be charged to the applicant/sponsor.
By holding an event, the University applicant understands and agrees that they must physically reclaim unused beverages within 48 hours of the event's completion or the unused portion(s) will be destroyed. With the exception of an individual's campus residence, reclaimed portions from events are not to be kept on campus in, including but not limited to, administrative and academic buildings, offices, spaces, or storage. [When reclaiming and transporting unused beverages, be mindful of NC Open Container Laws.]
Except to the extent allowed above, brown bagging is prohibited.
Except to the extent allowed above, events at which alcoholic beverages are served will be closed to all persons not specifically invited or on the guest list.
TAILGATING:
Tailgating at which alcoholic beverages are consumed shall apply to all NCAA football games and scrimmages and may begin no more than three (3) hours before an event and must end promptly at game time. Tailgating participants will be encouraged to leave the lots at game time by the Office of Student Affairs and Catamount Club in cooperation with, the University Police. Tailgating involving alcohol will not be permitted during or after games. People who leave the stadium during games will not be allowed to reenter the stadium. Tailgating without alcoholic beverages may resume after games for a period of three hours after the game ends. Motor homes are permitted to park in the baseball lots, other than those specifically allowed by membership in the Catamount Club at donor levels to be determined by the Club.
No kegs are permitted at tailgating activities. A keg is any container that holds or is capable of holding more than one gallon of malt beverage or unfortified wine at a single time. Public display of alcohol is discouraged and glass containers are prohibited in all tailgating areas. The use of plastic containers is encouraged for the consumption of all beverages.
The Executive Council in consultation with University Police will designate approved tailgating areas. Consumption of alcoholic beverages inside the stadium is strictly prohibited.
The Athletic Department will be responsible for posting signs in designated tailgating lots before each game advertising the campus alcohol policy.
Activities sponsored by a particular organization will appoint group leaders who will be briefed on their responsibilities and the tailgating policies either by Student Affairs or the Executive Director of the Catamount Club (depending on the sponsor) as well as the University Police and the Athletic Department. Student Affairs or the Advancement Office will provide group leaders with a copy of the campus alcohol policy.
The Executive Director of the Catamount Club will provide personnel to control access to tailgating areas assigned for its use. Catamount Club staff members will provide information to individuals in the lot on the University's alcohol policy and state laws governing alcohol consumption in those areas. The Catamount Club staff will be on call to assist Campus Police in resolving violations of the University alcohol policy and state laws.
Student Affairs will assign personnel to be on call during tailgating activities. Student Affairs personnel will be provided with a police radio so that they can be summoned to assist with problems that involve students. Student Affairs staff will provide information to individuals in the lot on the Universitys alcohol policy and state laws governing alcohol consumption.
All groups and individuals participating in tailgating activities are responsible for proper disposal of their trash and other debris such as charcoal. In cooperation with Student Affairs, Facilities Management will provide periodic trash pick up during tailgating. Trash containers will be set out prior to each game by Facilities Management and additional receptacle will be available from Student Affairs and Advancement staff. For safety purposes, glass containers are NOT allowed in the tailgating areas.
The provision of restroom facilities for persons participating in tailgating activities will be the responsibility of the Catamount Club in their assigned areas and the Athletic Department in all other areas. These offices will supply portable toilets where needed, to discourage the use of restrooms in adjacent academic buildings, particularly the Belk Building.
The University Police will provide mobile patrol through designated tailgating areas before, during, and after the games. University Police officers will be stationed in or nearby designated tailgating areas, to enforce state laws for violations that may occur in their view.
At game time, staff members from the Athletic Department, Catamount Club and Student Affairs will remind all individuals in their tailgating areas of the restrictions on alcohol consumption after the game begins. With the assistance of Campus Police they will encourage all individuals to leave the lot and move into the stadium at the start of the game.
Fifteen to thirty minutes after the game begins, University Police officers will patrol the lots and enforce the alcohol policy and state laws as necessary.
Alcoholic Beverage Service Event Procedures
The following procedure must be followed each and every time alcoholic beverages are to be served at the Ramsey Regional Activity Center, the Cordelia Camp Building, Madison Hall, Bird Alumni House, or the A.K. Hinds University Center (except tailgating and UC BYOB events):
1. Applicant/sponsor must contact the aforementioned facility(ies) for availability and reservations. If accommodation can be made, the appropriate facility director or their designee will send a "Facility's Use/Event Application", along with the "Application for Alcoholic Beverage Service", to the applicant/sponsor. Both application forms must be completed and returned to the scheduled facility's director NO LESS THAN one (1) week in advance of the proposed activity. Accommodation and approval cannot be guaranteed if applicant/sponsor does not adhere to these planning guidelines.
[Upon making verbal reservation of the facility, the applicant/sponsor must immediately contact the University contracted Food Service Catering Coordinator for required food service arrangements.]
2. Once the applicant/sponsor has returned both application forms, the "Application for Alcoholic Beverage Service" is reviewed by the director of the reserved facility and forwarded to the appropriate authorizing official(s), with a recommendation to approve or disapprove the application.
3. Once reviewed and approved by the proper authorizing official(s), the "Application for Alcoholic Beverage Service" is returned to the reserved facility's director.
4. The facility director will communicate approval or disapproval of the "Application for Alcoholic Beverage Service" to the applicant/sponsor.
5. If application is approved, applicant/sponsor must procure the appropriate alcoholic beverages. At least one (1) business day prior to the approved day of the event, the applicant/sponsor must contact the Food Service Catering Coordinator within normal business hours (8am-5pm) and arrange for their delivery of alcoholic beverages to food service catering.
To reserve an area of Ramsey Regional Activity Center call 227-7677
To reserve an area of Jordan-Phillips Fieldhouse call 227-7338
To reserve an area of Cordelia Camp Building call 227-7397
To reserve an area of Hinds University Center call 227-7206
To reserve an area of Madison Hall call 227-2002
To reserve the Bird Alumni House call 227-7103
BYOB Policy and Procedures for University Center Club (Illusions)
Policy and Procedures
SCOPE: This policy governs only those events held at the University Center Illusions Club at which persons of legal age may bring alcoholic beverages to the event. Such events will be called "BYOB events".
PURPOSE: The rationale behind the development of a BYOB policy for the University Center Illusions Club is:
1. To provide for members of the University community a place at which, responsible and legal consumption of alcoholic beverages may accompany participation in an on-campus social or entertainment event.
2. To respond to feedback from students that an absence of licensed establishments close to campus adversely affect the quality of student life
3. To reinforce commitment to responsible drinking by students of legal age who choose to drink
4. To provide a model for how to implement a responsible social event at which alcoholic beverages are present and to assist in changing the campus "social norm"
5. To reduce the incidence of students driving after consuming alcoholic beverages
6. To empower our students to develop, implement, and monitor a successful program to serve the social needs of our students
Western Carolina University prohibits the illegal use, and does not condone the irresponsible or abusive uses of alcoholic beverages. The University will enforce federal, state, and local laws, as well as its own alcohol policy.
A. Amounts and Types of Alcoholic Beverages
The amount of alcoholic beverage a person may bring to a BYOB event is four 12 oz. cans of beer or malt beverage or four 10 oz. containers of wine cooler. This amount has been determined as a result of current research related to college student drinking and common standards of practice.
B. Nonalcoholic Beverages and Food
Soft drinks and/or other nonalcoholic beverages must be available in the same location and be provided as promptly as the alcoholic beverages during the entire time alcoholic beverages are available. When alcoholic beverages are served, an appropriate amount of food must be prominently displayed and available during the entire event. The presence of food and nonalcoholic beverages will be in compliance with any appropriate provisions of the current University contract with a food service vendor.
C. Dispensing Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Beverages
All beverages at BYOB events must be dispensed by approved persons called "servers" that are trained by a RASP certified trainer and are at least 18 years of age. The servers are employees of the University Center unless otherwise approved by the Director of the University Center.
D. Event Promotion
Promotional materials must mention that the event is "BYOB" and must mention the maximum amounts and types of alcoholic beverages allowed. However, events must not have the mere consumption of alcoholic beverages as their central theme. Events may not be cosponsored with alcoholic beverage companies. Advertising materials must comply with the Policy on Sales and Solicitations on Campus (University Policy #39).
E. Security
Normally, Police presence will be required at BYOB functions unless both the Director of the University Center and the Director of University Police approve an exception. Upon registration of a BYOB event by an organization, the Director of the University Center is responsible for notifying the Director of Police of the date, times, sponsoring organization and other event details necessary in determining appropriate police presence. The Director of the University Center will then make an initial recommendation regarding the necessary number of police personnel for a particular event. The Director of Police will either approve the recommendation or engage in discussion with the Director of the University Center until an agreement is reached. If the presence of police officers is required, the sponsoring organization and the University Center will share the cost at percentages determined by the Director of the University Center. The Director of the University Center may deny registration of any BYOB event if an organization fails to comply with a security requirement.
F. Policy Compliance
The organization sponsoring a BYOB event is responsible for policy compliance and is expected to have certain members designated to monitor compliance at the event. Failure to comply with all elements of this policy and procedure may result in the loss of the privilege to sponsor a BYOB event.
Specifically, the sponsoring organization is responsible for:
Appropriately registering the event according to this policy.
Ensuring compliance with all of the elements of this policy and procedure.
Ensuring only individuals of legal age serve, possess, or consume alcohol and that intoxicated individuals are not served.
Preventing any damage that could occur in a room or other areas as a result of the BYOB event.
Assisting with cleaning the club after the event
Controlling the size of the event and ensuring that attendance does not exceed maximum safety occupancy.
Complying with all elements of the facility use agreement.
Any noncompliance with the above may result in charges of violation of the Code of Student Conduct for any and all student organizations involved.
G. BYOB Event Registration
Only University organizations may register for and sponsor a BYOB event. For the purpose of this policy, the term "University organizations" includes registered student organizations, university departments or offices, or any other unit of Western Carolina University. Events must be registered at the University Center Administrative Offices and must be approved by the University Center Director or his designee.
H. Procedures for Bringing, Storing and Serving Alcoholic Beverages
Beverage Check-in
Upon entering a BYOB event, wristbands will be issued only to those who are 21 years or older on the day of the event. A student must present a valid driver's license or state identification card to receive a wristband. Only those wearing a wristband are eligible to consume alcoholic beverages.
Once the wristband is issued, the beverages will be taken by a server and stored in a cooler. The person will be issued a beverage card with a number and the amount of beverage checked in. The person will present the card to the server to receive the beverage. The server will punch a hole in the card every time a drink is issued to the person. A number on the person's card will correspond with a number on the same person's wristband.
Any remaining beverage will be returned when a person leaves the event. A person may not leave the event with an open container of alcohol.
No person may bring alcoholic beverages more than once to the same event. Staff at the entrance will register each person to monitor reentries.
Registration of Guests
The University Center Club and this policy are primarily for use by individuals who are members of the University community (students, faculty and staff and their spouses or dependents). However, it is understood that members of the University community may wish to bring guests to a BYOB event. In such cases, the following rules apply:
Only one guest may be admitted with a Western Carolina University student, faculty member or staff member.
Guests must be at least 18 years of age to be admitted to a BYOB event.
All guests must abide by all of the elements of this policy and procedure.
Members of the University community are responsible for their guests. Privileges may be revoked from both the guest and the person bringing the guest.
Guests must register upon entry to the event.
Responsibilities of the Servers
Servers must be approved, trained and certified by administrative staff of the University Center.
Note: The RASP (Responsible Alcohol Sellers/Servers Program) training program is used by the University Center as a method to prevent and correct any misuse of alcohol. RASP-trained servers learn to recognize potential problem situations and acquire the skills and confidence to intervene in a tactful manner to prevent problems such as underage drinking and drunk driving. Role-playing activities and a written exam are required to complete the training program.
A server is responsible for recommending that a person be removed from a BYOB event for the following reasons:
Prohibited conduct as defined in the Code of Conduct
Delivery of alcohol or wristbands to a person not of legal age
Rowdy, disruptive or dangerous behavior
Possession or consumption of alcoholic beverage by someone not of the legal age.
A server reserves the right to refuse service to anyone who appears to be intoxicated at any time during the event. A server will request assistance from the University Police in the event that someone will not voluntarily leave the BYOB event upon being asked. Those ejected from a BYOB event may face criminal charges, if appropriate, and may, if a student, face charges of violation of the Code of Student Conduct.
1. Event Staff
For every BYOB event, the Director of the University Center is responsible for ensuring that at least seven paid University Center staff members are present for the entire duration of the event. The BYOB staff includes, but is not limited to, the following positions:
Club Manager-one (1)
Door-Attendants-two (2)
Walkers-two (2)
Servers-minimum two (2), two per every one hundred anticipated guests.
Position descriptions for those are available in the University Club Employee
Guidelines available in the University Center Administrative Offices.
All students should be familiar with alcoholic beverage laws of North Carolina. Copies are available in Hunter Library.