Policy on Alcohol at On-Campus Events

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Policy Category and Number: Executive 

Effective Date: 07/26/2023

Responsible Officer: Director of Compliance and Risk Management  

History: Alcohol Policy – July 1, 2018; and Alcohol and Controlled Substances Policy 

Responsible Office: Office of General Counsel  

Location: Link 

Purpose: 

This policy sets for the procedures and expectations regarding the serving of alcohol at events taking place on the Wentworth Institute of Technology (university) campus. 

Scope/Applicability: 

This policy applies to any person or group organizing an event or program where alcohol will be served on university premises.  On-campus events in which alcohol is served must adhere to these guidelines to ensure the health and safety of participants. 

Exceptions to this policy may be approved by the Office of the President.  

Legal: 

Policy: 

Wentworth Institute of Technology expects the responsible use of alcohol at events that are hosted and/or attended by students, faculty, staff, or university guests. Our support is demonstrated in the provision of clear expectations and education to hosts and is predicated on the expectation that individuals of legal age who choose to drink will drink responsibly and safely as well as limiting access of alcohol to underage individuals. The service of alcohol at a university event should always be ancillary to the central subject of the event and should never be used as a mechanism to increase interest in or drive attendance to the event. 

Wentworth observes all laws and regulations governing the serving and usage of alcoholic beverages by all members of its community and expects that these laws and regulations will be adhered to at all events associated with the university. The university does not condone underage drinking and considers intoxication, disorderliness or offensive behavior deriving from the use of alcoholic beverages to be unacceptable, regardless of a person’s age. 

The serving of alcohol must always conform to state and local laws.  Only those who are 21 years of age or older may consume alcohol. Event attendees must have an appropriate state license, passport, or government-issued ID. 

Tailgating, with or without alcohol, at any Wentworth-sponsored event is prohibited. 

Definitions:  

Event: A gathering that is sponsored by a division, department, office and/or recognized student organization at Wentworth Institute of Technology.  

Division: A unit within the university composed of one or more functional areas and overseen by a member of the President’s Cabinet. 

University Premises: Property owned, operated, maintained, or leased by Wentworth Institute of Technology. 

University Food Service Vendor: Sodexo or designee. 

Private event: Events that are planned for those who are invited only (closed event). 

Campus event: Events open to the entire campus community and/or their invited guests.  

Host: The individual or group who is organizing an event. 

Legal Age: The legal drinking age in Massachusetts is 21 years old 

Procedure(s): 

Registration 

All events serving alcohol must be registered through the university’s space reservation system, indicating that alcohol will be served. 

Any events serving alcohol where students are in attendance must be approved by the Dean of Students, or designee.  

Student Organizations must have the approval of their faculty/staff advisor and Dean of Students, or designee. 

Event Expectations 

It is the responsibility of the sponsor to ensure that the service of alcohol at an event is done responsibly and in accordance with this policy. 

Alcohol served on campus must be provided and served by the university food service vendor or an approved third-party vendor.  

Alcohol must be served by TIPS-trained personnel. 

Non-alcoholic options and food must be available at no charge when alcohol is being served.  

An employee(s) from the department that is hosting an event with alcohol being served must be present and abstain from consuming alcohol for the entirety of the event.  

An advisor(s) for the student group that is hosting an event with alcohol being served must be present and abstain from consuming alcohol for the entirety of the event. 

Depending on the attendance of the event, multiple individuals may be required to be present.   

Events where alcohol will be served/sold and students are in attendance must request that police personnel be present. The requirements for this are under the discretion of the Wentworth Police Department detail guidelines. 

When an event with alcohol service occurs and includes attendance by individuals who are younger than the legal drinking age are present, those identified as 21 years of age or older must provide proof of age and wear a wristband (or other identification that distinguishes their age) provided for the entirety of the event.  Wristbands and tickets must be supplied by the alcohol vendor. 

In cases of an open bar, up to two drink tickets can be provided to attendees by the hosting party at their expense. Additional consumption of alcohol will be cash bar. Individuals will be restricted to ordering no more than 2 standard drinks at one visit to the bar area.  

Advertising for events must follow the Sales, Solicitations, and Posting Policy. 

Enforcement 

Students or student organizations who violate this policy or related requirements in the Student Organization Manual will be referred to the Dean of Students, or designee. 

Employees who violate this policy will be referred to Human Resources. 

Exemptions 

The President may provide an exemption to any of the requirements set forth in this policy. 

Additional Information & Related Documents 

Guidelines for Hosting an Event where alcohol is present  

Interpretation & Revision 

Any questions of interpretation regarding this policy shall be referred to the Dean of Students (student matters) or Human Resources (employee matters). They will be the final authority regarding the interpretation of this policy. 

This policy shall be reviewed every three years, however minor changes and updates can be made at any time.  

Wentworth will typically apply the policy in place at the time it receives a report concerning the respected policy. 

Additionally, in instances where two or more policies are implicated, a case-by-case determination will be made to determine what policy will be used. 

Review and Revision History 

This policy was drafted and reviewed by representatives from Student Affairs and Human Resources, Wentworth Police Department, and Finance. It was approved by the President on 07/26/2023.  

This policy replaces the July 1, 2018 Alcohol Policy and the Alcohol and Controlled Substances Act Policy.