Alcohol Regulation
REG 04.20.1
Health, Safety and Welfare
Authority: Issued by the Chancellor. Changes or exceptions to administrative regulations issued by the Chancellor may only be made by the Chancellor.
History: First Issued: April 2, 2002. Last Revised: August 1, 2006. Additional History Information.
Related Policies:
NCSU Policy 04.20.2 - Board of Trustee Policy Alcohol Policy
Additional References:
Form for Requesting Permission to Serve Alcohol
Contact Info: Assistant to the Chancellor and Secretary of the University (919) 515-2191
1. INTRODUCTION
The Alcohol Policy of the Board of Trustees provides that liquor, mixed beverages, and fortified wine may be possessed and consumed in nonresidential buildings on university property, and areas other than private rooms in university housing facilities, only with the Chancellor's permission. Likewise, the Trustee policy provides that alcoholic malt beverages and unfortified wine may be possessed and consumed in university athletic facilities only with the Chancellor's permission. Additionally, as set forth in this regulation, the Chancellor's permission must be obtained before any university unit or university employee (a) sponsors an event at which any alcoholic beverage will be possessed or consumed or (b) allows use of university facilities for an event at which any alcoholic beverage will be possessed or consumed. This regulation supplements the Alcohol Policy and the University's Facilities Use Policy by addressing the procedure to be followed for requesting permission to serve, possess or consume alcohol in University facilities, and the circumstances under which approval will or will not be granted. It also interprets the Alcohol policy as it applies to the sale of alcohol on campus.
2. DEFINITIONS
For purposes of this regulation, the following definitions apply:
2.1 University facilities are defined as facilities owned, allocated to or leased by the University for its use. University facilities include buildings and outdoor space.
2.2 Sponsoring is defined as the hosting of an official activity on behalf of the University or a unit of the University. Events held by University affiliated foundations shall be considered a University sponsored event for purposes of obtaining the chancellor's permission to serve, possess or consume alcohol.
3. REQUESTS FOR APPROVAL
The Chancellor's permission to serve, possess or consume alcohol in accordance with the preceding paragraphs must be obtained in writing and in advance of the event where alcohol will be served, possessed or consumed. Permission to serve, possess or consume alcohol shall be requested on a form approved by the Chancellor's Office.
3.1 For University sponsored events, the responsibility for obtaining permission rests with the sponsor(s) of the event and the University official with authority to approve use of the facility where the event will be held. The sponsoring official must designate a responsible party to be present at the event to ensure compliance with the University's Alcohol Policy. A responsible party must be an Executive Officer, a Dean, Director, Department/Unit Head or designee approved by the Chancellor.
3.2 For non-university events, i.e. non-university events that are held in facilities pursuant to a license to use the facility, permission of the Chancellor must be obtained by the University official with authority to approve use of the facility prior to the official granting permission to use the facility for the event. Persons requesting use of the facility must advise the University official of the intent to serve, possess or consume alcohol at the event and receive such permission from the official prior to holding the event.
4. COMPLIANCE WITH NORTH CAROLINA LAWS AND NCSU ALCOHOL POLICIES
Persons or organizations that are granted permission to serve, possess or consume alcohol must comply with the laws of North Carolina, the Alcohol Policies of the Board of Trustees and this Regulation.
5. EVENTS AT WHICH THE SERVICE, POSSESSION OR CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL WILL NOT BE APPROVED
5.1 No permission will be granted to serve, possess or consume alcohol at events held by students or student organizations or at university sponsored events focused primarily on students or student groups. It is a violation of North Carolina law to serve alcohol to anyone under 21 years of age. University administrative units planning functions that are likely to be attended by students under 21 are strongly discouraged from serving any alcohol to anyone at such functions. If the unit plans to serve alcohol at a function that will be attended by guests under the age of 21, the unit must take precautions to be sure that guests under 21 are not served alcohol. (see section 6.7)
5.2 No permission will be granted to serve, possess or consume alcohol at events held in university facilities during normal business hours which are weekdays from 8am to 5pm (exclusive of holidays).
6. REQUIREMENTS FOR FUNCTIONS AT WHICH ALCOHOL IS SERVED
The following requirements must be met at all functions where alcohol is served:
6.1 Access to the event must be limited to invitees and controlled throughout the event. The event may not be open to the public. For outdoor events, special steps must be taken (for example, tents with sides or other significant barriers) to control access and delineate the area for the event.
6.2 A sufficient amount of alternative, nonalcoholic beverages must be available.
6.3 A sufficient amount of substantial, wholesome food (heavy hors d'oeuvres or dinner) must be served.
6.4 There must be a professional bartender.
6.5 No self-service of alcohol is permitted.
6.6 A reception with alcoholic beverages that is followed by a full meal may last no longer than one hour. A reception with alcoholic beverages that is not followed by a full meal may last no longer than two hours. Service of alcohol must be discontinued for a reasonable period of time prior to the anticipated end of the event or function.
6.7 In addition to the above requirements, if individuals under age 21 will be attending the function, the University administrative unit hosting the event must take precautions to be sure that no one under 21 is served alcohol. Such precautions might include:
6.7.1 a sign on the bar that says "Age 21 or Over Only" and an instruction to the bartender to ask for proof of age whenever there is any doubt that an individual is 21;
6.7.2 color-coded nametags or place cards for guests under 21 and instructions to the bartender and/or waiters as to the significance of the color-coding; and
6.7.3 instructions to bartenders, waiters and unit employees in charge of the event to be alert to the possibility that guests age 21 or over may attempt to obtain alcohol for guests under 21.
It is the unit's responsibility to be certain that individuals under the age of 21 are not served or provided any alcohol.
7. SALE OF ALCOHOL
The Board of Trustees Alcohol Policy prohibits the sale of alcohol in University facilities except within the Hotel, Conference Center and Golf Course Clubhouse facilities constructed on the Centennial Campus, and the Alumni Center Facility constructed on Centennial Campus. The service of alcohol at a university sponsored fundraising event at which there is a fee charged to attend the event shall not be construed as a sale within the meaning of the University's alcohol policy prohibiting the sale of alcohol provided there is no charge for the alcohol that is served and a liquor permit is issued for the service of alcohol at the event. Further, a university sponsored wine tasting event held for fundraising purposes at which unopened bottles may be sold pursuant to a liquor permit issued by the ABC Commission also shall not be considered a sale under the University's alcohol policy.
8. EXCLUSIONS
This regulation does not extend to private parties who own or lease facilities on property owned by the University with regard to the service of alcoholic beverages in their privately owned or leased facilities. It also does not extend to tailgating in the parking lots in connection with events held at Carter-Finley Stadium. Such parties, however, must comply with State laws and other applicable NC State policies, regulations or rules.
9. DELEGATIONS OF AUTHORITY
The Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs is designated as the Chancellor's representative for purposes of granting permission to serve, possess or consume alcoholic beverages in the Talley Student Center, Witherspoon Student Center, and Thompson Theater in accordance with the Alcohol Policy of the Board of Trustees and this regulation.
