Events with Alcohol Policy

OVERVIEW

Dickinson College expects the responsible use of alcohol at events that are hosted and/or attended by students. Our support is demonstrated in the provision of clear expectations and education to hosts and is predicated on the expectation that students of legal age who choose to drink will do so responsibly and safely. It is a shared commitment to promote personal responsibility and respect for the well-being of self and peers.

The College recognizes the choice not to drink alcohol and actively discourages and holds students accountable for the irresponsible use of alcohol. In compliance with Pennsylvania laws and the Drug Free Schools and Communities Act, the College does not approve of the consumption of alcohol by students (or their guests) who are under the age of 21, on or off the campus. Inappropriate behavior involving the furnishing or consumption of alcoholic beverages will result in appropriate disciplinary proceedings and penalties. The College recognizes and cooperates with law enforcement authorities in their efforts pertaining to alcohol and will seek to educate students about laws pertaining to alcohol, as well as about the use and abuse of alcohol.

By establishing this policy, the college supports

• Events where alcohol is served to students of age;
• Educational efforts that will assist event hosts in the responsible management of events involving alcohol; and
• Organizations and individuals being held accountable to Community Standards for responsible use of alcohol.

By establishing this policy, the college recognizes different types of events with alcohol that may require separate processes

• Student events
• College events without students, sponsored by Advancement & the President’s Office
• Off-campus rentals of campus space coordinated through the Office of Conferences & Special Events (CASE)

POLICY

Events Requiring Alcohol Review

• Events with alcohol where college space is reserved.
• Events with alcohol in a residential space (room, house, etc.).
• Any event with more than 25 people in attendance.

Alcohol Review Process

• Events that require the reservation of college space must be submitted to EngageD two weeks in advance of the event.
• Events being held in college owned or operated areas that do not require reservation of college space must be submitted through the submission of the EngageD form to the office of Conferences & Special Events (CASE) & the office of Student Leadership & Campus Engagement (SLCE) at least two weeks in advance of the event.
• Students are encouraged to notify SLCE (by phone, in-person, or via email) of any event not meeting the review requirement where alcohol is served. This allows SLCE and the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to be informed of the event and to identify a contact person.
• Events with alcohol must be submitted by the hosting department, office, or organization by creating an event on EngageD.
• Events submitted on EngageD that have the alcohol portion filled out will be sent to the Office of Student Leadership and Campus Engagement (SLCE) for review.
• The Office of Conferences & Special Events (CASE) will review the event submission except for the alcohol portion. Approval by CASE does not convey approval to have alcohol at the event.
• The Alcohol Request page of the event submission must be complete to be reviewed.
• SLCE will review all events with alcohol on a weekly basis.
• Within one week of the submission, SLCE will notify the sponsor regarding the status of the alcohol review. This may include the approval of the request, questions for additional information, or any adjustments required to comply with Dickinson policy.
• Sponsors are encouraged to submit the request as soon as possible, but at least two weeks in advance of the event to allow questions and the opportunity to resolve any concerns.

Community Standards and National Organization Guidelines

• All students are expected to be familiar with and adhere to the Dickinson Community Standards as they relate to alcohol and its use.
• All departments, offices, and programs are expected to be familiar with this policy to be in full compliance with institutional and Commonwealth guidance when alcohol is served on campus.
• If the host of the event is an organization affiliated with a national organization with its own risk management policies and event guidelines, the host is expected to be in full compliance with the policies and guidelines of that national organization in addition to those of Dickinson College. Fraternities, sororities, and Greek-letter organizations are included in this policy.

Definitions of Terms

• Event Sponsor: The primary office, department, or club sponsoring and organizing the event.
• Sober Host(s): Designated persons responsible for compliance with the Events with Alcohol Policy & proper management of the event.
  • Must not be First-Year students.
  • Must be non-drinking and sober for the entirety of the event.
  • Must ensure that attendees who are underage do not have access to alcohol.
  • Must check IDs of attendees planning to consume alcohol.
  • Must remove tabs to correspond with amount of time remaining in the event. For more information, see the Tabs section below.
  • Must attach wristbands to attendees who are of age to drink.
  • Must relay to attendees that wristband tabs are to be removed by the TIPS server, that the tab is void if otherwise torn, and that wristbands, tabs, and beverages are non-transferrable.
  • Must remember to retain surplus wristbands and return them to SLCE the next business day.
  • A sober host is required at each event with alcohol.
  • A sober host is required for every twenty-five (25) attendees expected for the event.
  • A sober host may not act as a TIPS server for the event.
• TIPS Server(s): Designated persons responsible for serving alcohol who hold a current TIPS certification (On-Premise Course through TIPS) or RAMP certification..
  • The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania requires that servers hold a RAMP certification, which is built included in the TIPS curriculum. Additionally, TIPS certification from other states is valid in Pennsylvania, but state-produced certifications outside of Pennsylvania are not.
  • A copy of each TIPS server's certification (either TIPS or RAMP) must be on file with Dickinson prior to their service at an event. Dining Services retains certifications for their TIPS servers, while others must upload it via the alcohol events form or email it to SLCE.
  • A TIPS server is required at each event with alcohol.
  • A TIPS server is required for every fifty (50) attendees expected to consume alcohol at the event.
  • TIPS servers can be hired as part of the catering order for an event utilizing Dickinson Catering Services. If the event is not utilizing Dickinson Catering Services, student TIPS servers can be hired through SLCE.
• Wristbands: Wristbands that designate attendees over the age of twenty-one years.
  • The type of wristband may differ between events consistent with policy.
  • Wristbands, tabs, and beverages are non-transferrable. Sober hosts should be
  • Some offices or departments may be permitted to utilize nametags in lieu of wristbands consistent with policy.

Requirements for Review

• For events with alcohol where attendance of one hundred (100) or more is expected, the event sponsor must meet with SLCE prior to the event to review policy and procedures.
• Events with alcohol must have a start and end time.
• The maximum length of events with alcohol will be three hours. Any exceptions will be determined by SLCE, DPS, and Dining Services.
• Simultaneous events serving alcohol should be avoided, when possible. Simultaneous events serving alcohol will not be permitted during Senior Week.
• Activities planned at the event should be considered in order to address and mitigate any further potential for risk due to physical activity.
• To be consistent with the Student Life Publicity Policy, advertising may not depict alcohol or suggest that alcoholic beverages will be provided or served at an event. Promotion of specific brands or types of alcohol, by whatever means, is not allowed.
• Attendance at events serving alcohol is limited to members of the Dickinson community and approved guests. Exceptions can be made in consultation with SLCE and DPS.

Requirements for Events

• All events with alcohol with students present will require wristbands with 1-3 removable/detachable tabs.
• Some events, such as Senior Class events or events coordinated by Advancement may have wristband exceptions. This is arranged between the event sponsor, Dining Services, and SLCE.
• Only TIPS servers may serve alcohol at events with alcohol.
• Events with alcohol may serve each attendee one drink per hour. Events serving a mimosa or similar beverages may serve each attendee one drink every 45 minutes. This will be conveyed as part of the alcohol review approval and will be reflected in tab signage.
• Events with alcohol that take place outdoors must have a defined exterior to contain alcohol consumption. Undefined outdoor venues must be roped-off prior to the event by Facilities.
• Events with alcohol that take place outdoors must display appropriate signage prohibiting the removal of alcohol outside of the event space.
• All events are subject to checks by SLCE and/or the Department of Public Safety.

Requirements for Alcohol

• Alcohol to be served at an event must be checked to the TIPS server prior to the start of the event. The TIPS server will note who provided each item and at the end of the event any remaining item may be returned only to the person who provided it at the start of the event.
• The type of alcohol allowed for events are beer (cans or bottles), hard ciders (cans or bottles), wine (boxed or bottled), and flavored malt beverages (FMBs) (cans or bottles).
  • Wine includes champagne and FMBs include hard seltzers and drinks like Mike’s Hard Lemonade.
  • Kegs for alcohol are not permitted on-campus to eliminate the risk of leaks and potential damage to campus facilities.
  • Kegs for non-alcoholic beverages and/or refrigerated kegs for alcoholic beverages may be considered by SLCE on a case-by-case basis for outdoor events.
  • Other types of alcoholic beverages and containers may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• At any event where alcohol is served, food/snacks and non-alcoholic beverages must be available. Dining Services can assist with determining appropriate type and quantity of food.
• Alcohol By Volume (ABV) should not exceed 15%.
• Bring Your Own Beverage/Beer (BYOB) events are not permitted under this policy.

Money, Fees, and Funding Events with Alcohol

• Event hosts may not charge for alcohol, charge an entry fee, charge for cups or other containers in which alcohol is served unless the host or provider has an appropriate Pennsylvania Liquor License. If you are considering charging for an event ticket or registration fee, collecting a suggested donation, or collecting money in association with an event with alcohol, please contact SLCE immediately. Dickinson College does not have a Pennsylvania Liquor License and cannot authorize the sale of alcohol on-campus.
• Event hosts should be aware that wristbands are provided by SLCE for an at-cost fee as detailed in the Wristbands & Signage section of this policy.
• Offices and departments may purchase alcohol in compliance with Dickinson policy & practice.
• Clubs may use funds from their -04 accounts to pay for alcohol in accordance with Student Senate guidance, budget allocation, and full Authorization of Services.
• Clubs may use funds from their -06 accounts to pay for alcohol.
• To receive approval, clubs must submit a copy of their Authorization of Services for the purchase of alcohol demonstrating approval by Student Senate and/or availability of -06 funds.

Wristbands & Signage

• Along with the approval, SLCE will include instructions about how the sponsor can pick up wristbands and tab signage prior to the start of the event.
• Wristbands will be provided to event sponsors by SLCE for a fee that covers the cost of the wristbands. The cost will be determined by subtracting the number of wristbands returned to SLCE from the total number provided by SLCE. This ensures that sponsors are charged for the number used for the event. The cost per wristband can vary by type but is generally $0.13 each for tabbed wristbands and $0.04 each for paper wristbands.
• Tab signage must be given to TIPS servers to display during the event. Each sign will state which tab will be accepted at which time. For example, “Tab 1 8:00 – 9:00 p.m.”
• Attendees are given a wristband upon entrance to the event after showing appropriate ID to the sober host. If a list of students over the age of 21 is provided to the sponsor by SLCE or the Office of the Registrar, then a Dickinson ID will suffice. If a list is not provided, then state or national ID will be required.
• Sober hosts should explain to attendees that the tabs on the wristband should only be removed by a TIPS server and are void if removed.
• To receive a drink, attendees present their wristband to the TIPS server, who then tears off the appropriate tab. If the attendee tears off their own tab, they will not be given a drink.
• Any wristbands remaining at the end of the event are the responsibility of the event sponsor and must be returned to SLCE the next business day.

Wristband Drink Tabs

• Tabs are void if removed by anyone other than a TIPS server.
• The number of tabs on a wristband corresponds to the remaining number of hours of the event.
• Attendees who arrive at the beginning of an event will receive all of the tabs available for the event. (Example: If the event is from 8:00 – 10:00 p.m. anyone who arrives when the event begins will receive two tabs.)
• During the event, one tab will be used per hour and no tab can be used after the designated hour is up. (Example: At the earlier party, if an attendee arrives between 8:00 – 9:00 p.m., they could use “Tab 1” to get a drink. After 9:00 p.m. “Tab 1” is no longer accepted by TIPS servers.)
• As the event progresses the sober hosts handing out wristbands must tear off tabs as each hour passes. So, an attendee who arrives at the two-hour event at 9:20 p.m. will only receive one tab on their wristband, the other having been torn off.

Quantity of Alcohol

SLCE determines the quantity of alcohol to be served at an event. This is done using the following methodology.

1. Multiply the expected number of guests over the age of 21 years by the number of hours of the event. This determines the maximum/total number of drinks that could be served.
2. Divide the total number of drinks by number of types of alcohol. For example, if the event includes beer & wine, divide it in two. If beer, wine, & cider, then divide by three. This determines the number of drinks for each type of alcohol.
3. Divide the number of drinks for each type of alcohol by the number of drinks per unit. This determines how many units of each type of alcohol may be available for the event.
4. Amounts are rounded down to the nearest unit since not all attendees will arrive within the first hour of an event.
5. The maximum quantity of alcohol is three drinks per person per event.

Example: If the Juggling Club held a three-hour dinner for 80 guests, 50 of whom were 21+, they could purchase 6 cases of beer, OR 30 bottles of wine, OR some combination of the two, 15 bottles of wine and 3 cases of beer.

Events with Alcohol without Students

Recognizing that the Events with Alcohol Policy centers student responsibility and learning, there are also events with alcohol that do not include students. For these events, attendees will be issued nametags and those over the age of 21 will be designated with a sticker particular to that event. This sticker will identify to TIPS servers those who have been confirmed by sober hosts to be eligible to consume alcohol.

Religious, Secular, and Spiritual Related Events

Religious communities at Dickinson College routinely employ the use of alcoholic substances as a part of their practices on campus. For events of a religious nature in which alcohol is routine, the Director of the Center for Spirituality and Social Justice shall work with the sponsors to determine appropriate use.  Any use of alcohol by religious, secular, and spiritual communities which is not already commonplace within the religious culture shall be subject to the Events with Alcohol Policy.