Alcoholic Beverages

The possession, consumption or sale of alcoholic beverages on campus is prohibited unless approved by the President of the University or his official designee.

1. Definitions
   1. "Alcoholic beverage" includes alcohol, spirits, liquor, wine, beer, and every liquid or solid containing alcohol, spirits, wine or beer, and which contains one-half of 1 percent or more of alcohol by volume and which is fit for beverage purposes either alone or when diluted, mixed, or combined with other substances." (Business and Professions Code, Section 23004, "Alcoholic Beverage Control Act")
   2. "Sell" or "sale" and "to sell" includes any transaction whereby, for any consideration, title to alcoholic beverages is transferred from one person to another, and includes the delivery of alcoholic beverages pursuant to an order placed for the purchase of such beverages and soliciting or receiving an order for such beverages, but does not include the return of alcoholic beverages by a licensee to the licensee from whom such beverages were purchased. (Business and Professions Code, Section 23025, "Alcoholic Beverage Control Act")
   3. “Serve” is defined as “to act as a host or hostess in offering (a person) a portion of food or drink”.
2. Sale and Service of Alcoholic Beverages

   Permission to sell and serve alcoholic beverages on campus is limited solely to the recognized campus food service agent. Exception to the service (not sales) of alcohol may be granted to closed campus organization events (ie., Departmental potlucks, see Procedures).

   1. Use of Alcoholic Beverages
   1. General. The sale and service of alcoholic beverages shall:
   2. Follow all applicable laws, rules, regulations and policies.
   3. Be sold or served in a responsible and appropriate manner.
   4. Only occur after 11am and shall end no later than 12am.  Sale and service of alcohol outside of this time frame will require Presidential approval.
   5. Not be consumed in public, on the campus without the appropriate approvals (see Procedures).
   6. Be served only by individuals who have received the appropriate training before sale or service.
   7. Campus Organizations. Recognized campus clubs and organizations and recognized auxiliaries may be granted permission to serve alcoholic beverages at approved campus functions in designated areas. Requests to serve alcoholic beverages must be submitted in accordance with approved procedures (see below, 5. Procedures), and are subject to the following conditions:
   8. Consumption of alcoholic beverages is restricted to beer and wine or, within the Green Music Center facility, beer, wine and spirits.
   9. Alcoholic beverages shall be served only during the times and in the area approved by the President or his official designee.
   10. Attendance at the event shall be limited to members of the sponsoring organization and their invited guests.
   11. Publicity for the event shall not emphasize the availability of alcohol.
   12. A member of the sponsoring organization shall be assigned the responsibility of ensuring compliance with all applicable provisions of this policy, appropriate campus regulations, and the laws of the State of California. The faculty advisor or an appropriate university official will be required to be the supervising individual for student organizations.
   13. All events serving alcoholic beverages must also serve sufficient quantities of non-alcoholic beverages and food.
   14. A club or organization sponsoring an event at which alcoholic beverages are served by the organization may not require those attending the event to pay money -- including buying raffle tickets, tokens, admission tickets.
   15. Student Clubs shall also follow any Campus Life policies and/or procedures that govern student organizations.
   16. Residential Community. The Residential Community is subject to all procedures and requirements outlined in this policy statement as well as any additional requirements specified by approved housing policies and regulations.
   17. Off-Campus Organizations or Individuals. Off-campus organizations or individuals who have arranged to utilize university facilities must use the recognized campus food service agent to serve all alcoholic beverages.  The Founder’s Room at the Green Music Center is exempt due to a prior contractual agreement.
   18. Sanctions
   19. California State law authorizes severe criminal sanctions for persons under 21 years of age who possess or consume alcoholic beverages.
   20. Similar criminal sanctions may also be imposed upon anyone who provides or furnishes an alcoholic beverage to a person under 21 years of age. (Alcoholic Beverage Control Act; Sections 25658, 25660.5, 25661, 25662, and 25665.) The Department of Police and Parking Services will review these provisions with anyone requesting permission to serve alcoholic beverages at campus events.
   21. Violation of either the laws of the State of California or this University policy by a student or university employee makes him/her subject to disciplinary sanctions described in the California Education Code and Title 5, California Administrative Code.
   22. Additional sanctions may be imposed upon the sponsoring organization after notice and hearing. Sanctions may range from the suspension of the organization's privilege to use campus facilities through complete withdrawal of University "recognized" status.
   23. Procedures
   24. The organization or individual sponsoring a campus event where alcohol will be served must first receive preliminary University approval for the proposed event. The Request for Use of University Facilities is required for all events.
   25. The Request for Permission to Serve Alcoholic Beverages must be completed, including all signatures of authorization (as noted below), for campus organizations requesting to serve their own alcohol (as outlined in Section 3, A).
   26. For all events, all forms must be completed and submitted to the Events Office at least 30 days prior to the event.
   27. Officer/Staff Requests are required for all student events with alcohol and any event where 100 or more persons are expected to attend and alcohol is served.
   28. Authorizing offices are:
   29. For all student requests, the Vice President for Student Affairs;
   30. For faculty organizations and departments wishing to serve their own alcohol,the appropriate Department Chair or Supervisor;and
   31. For auxiliary organizations wishing to serve their own alcohol,  their Director.
   32. Copies of this policy and the necessary forms are available in the Student Resource Center, Office of University Police, and the Events Office.
   Updated July 30, 2008 by SSU.policies@sonoma.ed