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Scope: Who is Covered by this Policy?

Employees and Students  

Policy

Legal and Responsible Use of Alcohol

The right to acquire, possess, and consume alcoholic beverages is limited by laws that establish minimum drinking ages, drinking and driving laws, and so on. ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵ also has established policies on alcohol use on campus and by campus groups. It is incumbent on ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵs, faculty, and staff to become knowledgeable regarding these policies, whether for individual decision making or for planning programs and events for a department or organization, including ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵ organizations.

On-Campus Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages – Compliance with Law

All on-campus possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages must be conducted in accordance with Ohio law and University policy regarding the possession, sale, and consumption of alcohol. Specifically:

1. Individuals under the age of twenty-one (21) may not purchase, possess, or consume beer, wine, or intoxicating liquor. It is also against the law for any person to furnish beer, wine, or intoxicating liquor to any person under twenty-one (21) years of age.
2. No person shall have in his or her possession any open container of beer, wine, or intoxicating liquor in any public place except where the alcoholic beverage has been lawfully purchased for consumption on the premises of the holder of the appropriate permit from the State Department of Liquor Control.
3. Only beer and wine (no intoxicating liquor) may be served at on-campus events to which ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵs are invited. Exceptions must be approved, in writing, by the Senior Vice President for Finance and Business Services.

Alcohol Guidelines for Faculty and Staff

1. Only those 21 and older may consume alcohol
2. Alcohol may only be charged to an unrestricted gift account and cannot be charged to a departmental account or ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵ organization account.
3. Alcohol in unlicensed ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵ facilities requires a temporary permit from the Ohio Department of Commerce. Please contact Conference and Event Services with a minimum of 30 days advance notice to secure the permit. Events utilizing a temporary license may not serve unlimited drinks for a flat fee or one-time admission charge. A ticketing system must be utilized to comply with ORC 4301: 1-1-50. 
   • Please see the list for reference 

General Rules When Students are Invited to Events

In the presence of ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵs, faculty and staff are expected to model responsible adult behavior by either abstaining from the use of alcohol or consuming alcohol in moderation. At no time should a member of the faculty or staff be intoxicated in the presence of ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵs or at a University event.  In addition:

1. University faculty and staff may not purchase alcohol for undergraduate ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵs – even if the ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵ is of legal age to consume alcohol. This prohibition applies both on and off-campus, including restaurants, bars, athletic events, alumni events, events with cash bars and study away/ abroad trips.
2. Although strongly discouraged, faculty and staff who elect to purchase or serve alcohol to graduate ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵs do so at their own risk and bear full legal responsibility. Faculty are encouraged to educate themselves about the laws regarding civil liability and to be aware that those who serve alcoholic beverages to underage ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵs may be charged criminally. Faculty who elect to serve graduate ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵs who are of age in their home are strongly encouraged to have a TIPS trained bartender who can ensure that alcohol is only dispensed to participants who are 21 years of age or older and that only a modest amount of alcohol is served.
3. Faculty and staff should not accompany graduate or undergraduate ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵs to restaurants, bars, clubs, and fraternity houses etc., where they are aware that underage drinking is taking place or where ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵs are intoxicated.
4. Faculty and staff advisers to ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵ organizations must be especially careful to encourage the ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵ organization to adhere to University policy and civil law concerning the use of alcohol, and must never join them in breaking the law. Rather, they should encourage ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵs to obey civil law and University policy concerning the use of alcohol and help them to understand how to use alcohol in a legal and responsible manner.

Alcohol at University Sponsored Events – On-Campus

When a department, institute, center, or other University office invites ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵs to a University gathering/event held on-campus, the following guidelines apply:

1. Events Held in Licensed University Facilities
   1. Alcohol may only be provided through the facility and must be dispensed by TIPS trained bartenders.
   2. Only those 21 and older may consume alcohol.
   3. The event must also include nonalcoholic beverages as an alternative to alcohol and hors d’oeuves must be served.
   4. If the event is scheduled to last longer than two (2) hours, a meal must be provided, and the bar closed at least one-half hour before the event ends.
   5. If a flat fee for attendance is charged (e.g., ticket is $35), the cost of the alcoholic drinks must be borne by individual consumers (e.g., cash bar) and may not be included in the fee.
   6. Alcohol may only be charged to an unrestricted gift account and cannot be charged to a departmental account or ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵ organization account.
   7. University faculty and staff may not purchase alcohol for ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵs.
2. Events Held in Other University Facilities:
   1. Alcohol must be purchased from the University and may not be “carried in” by faculty or staff. Alcohol must be dispensed by TIPS trained bartenders provided by University catering.
   2. Only those 21 and older may consume alcohol.
   3. No admission fee may be charged and no alcohol may be sold (e.g. no cash bars);
   4. The hosting department must also provide nonalcoholic beverages as an alternative to alcohol and non-salty snacks must be served.
   5. Events may not be scheduled to last longer than 90 minutes.
   6. Alcohol may only be charged to an unrestricted gift account and cannot be charged to a departmental account or ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵ organization account.
   7. The approval of the Senior Vice President for Finance and Business Services is required. Please submit request via the Form for .

This section does not apply to ICA sponsored sporting events held in ICA venues on-campus.

Alcohol at University Sponsored Events – Off-Campus

When a department, institute, center, or other University office invites ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵs to a University gathering/event to be held in an off-campus facility (e.g. restaurant, bars, clubs) the following Guidelines apply:

1. University faculty and staff may not purchase or provide alcohol for prospective, undergraduate, or graduate ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵs – even if the ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵ is of legal age to consume alcohol.
2. Only those 21 and older may consume alcohol.
3. Departmental funds (including program fees) may not be used to purchase alcohol. Alcohol may only be charged to an unrestricted gift account and cannot be charged to a departmental account or ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵ organization account.
4. The promotion and advertising of events sponsored by alcohol companies must be in accordance with ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵ policies. The main focus of such events must not be on promoting and advertising the use of the product.
5. No alcoholic beverages may be given as prizes or awards.
6. While listing the name of the company is permissible, symbols of alcohol may not be displayed on posters, signs, banners, or other advertisements for events. No advertisements featuring foaming mugs, cans, glasses, or kegs will be allowed.
7. Promotion of events sponsored by alcohol companies must not encourage alcohol abuse or emphasize frequency or quantity of use.
8. Advertising, both for promotion of events and for products, either on campus or in institutional media, should not portray drinking as a solution to personal or academic problems or as a necessary ingredient to social, sexual, or academic success. In addition, it should avoid demeaning or discriminatory portrayals of individuals or groups.
9. Advertising or promotion of campus events should not associate the consumption of alcoholic beverages with the performance of tasks requiring skilled reactions, such as the operation of motor vehicles or machinery.
10. The approval of the Senior Vice President for Finance and Business Services for events involving more than 5 ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵs is required.  Please submit request via the Form for

Related Form(s)

Additional Resources and Procedures

Not applicable.

FAQ

Not applicable.

Policy Administration

Next Review Date

7/1/2023

Responsible Officers

Sr. Vice President of Finance and Business Services

Legal Reference

ORC Chapter 4301 

Compliance Policy

Yes

Recent Revision History

 Amended July 2020; Amended August 2023

Reference ID(s)

• MUPIM 16.1
• OAC 3339-16-01

Reviewers

Sr. Vice President of Finance and Business Services