Alcohol and Social Events with Alcohol Policy

The primary focus of the University is to provide for the safety and wellbeing of our students, especially through the prevention of substance abuse. Recognizing our responsibility to implement and enforce alcohol regulations that are consistent with New York State laws and address the serious issues related to personal health and safety of our students, the following establishes the Alcohol and Social Events with Alcohol Policy for the University.

The consumption of alcohol is a matter of concern to the University in maintaining an academic and social environment conducive to the intellectual and personal development of our students while promoting their safety and welfare.

This will be achieved through comprehensive alcohol prevention initiatives, including education, early intervention, promoting a healthy campus environment and assessment strategies. These goals can only be achieved on a campus where the legal and responsible use of alcohol is the accepted standard of behavior and the illegal use and/or abuse of alcohol is not condoned. 
 
The Iona University Alcohol policy includes but is not limited to the following provisions, whether these occur either on or off campus.

1. No person under the age of 21 may possess, consume, or be in the presence of alcohol, except being in the presence of alcohol at a registered and approved event with alcohol.
2. The University prohibits any inappropriate behavior that is a direct result of alcohol consumption. Any student who is observed to be intoxicated may be found in violation of this alcohol policy and the University Student Code of Conduct.
3. The University prohibits the possession of items commonly used for distribution of alcohol on any leased or owned college property. Such items include, but are not limited to, kegs, party balls, funnels, shot glasses, beer pong tables, etc.
4. The University alcohol policy prohibits any games involving drinking and/or any rapid consumption techniques involving either alcohol or non-alcoholic beverages. These include but are not limited to funnels, shot glasses, beer pong tables, etc. These items, by their very nature, promote abusive alcohol consumption.
5. The University prohibits the possession and consumption of alcohol within public areas and University buildings, without the permission of an authorized University official, which for students and student groups is the Dean of Students or their designee. Residential Life buildings are controlled by the Iona Student Code of Conduct and Residential Life Alcohol Polices for students over the age of 21.
6. It is prohibited for an underage student to be in the presence of any other person legally or illegally possessing, consuming or selling alcoholic beverages, except when authorized at a registered and approved event with alcohol.
7. It is prohibited for anyone over the age of 21 to consume/possess alcoholic beverages in the presence of individuals under the age of twenty one, except when authorized at a registered and approved event with alcohol.
8. The University maintains the right to register and approve an event which would permit the distribution of alcoholic beverages to persons over the age of 21, in accordance with New York State Law.

Social Event Policy (Registered and Approved Events with Alcohol)

The Social Event Policy related to registered and approved events with alcohol reflects the social climate that the Iona University community strives to establish and maintain regarding campus social life, involving the appropriate role of the use of alcoholic beverages by community members. Its success depends upon the cooperative efforts of students, faculty, administration and alumni in both understanding and upholding the spirit of personal responsibility and respect for self and others that is embodied in this Policy.

The University will permit registered and approved events with alcohol which are held on University premises that will include the legal distribution of alcoholic beverages. The sponsors of these events must first obtain approval from the authorized University official, the Dean of Students or their designee, and complete an event with alcohol form and adhere to the process outlined below, as well as abiding by the regulations for all registered campus events. Permission from the Dean of Students or their designee is required for alcoholic beverages to be served in any public areas of the campus.

The possession/consumption of alcohol in the public areas of the campus is prohibited, with the exception of officially registered and approved events with alcohol.

University-sponsored events for trustees, alumni, parents, faculty, staff and administrators (no students in attendance) are exempt from the regulations below, except number 7.

Regulations for Registered and approved Event with alcohol:

1. Registered and approved events with alcohol must be registered with the Dean of Students or designee no less than one month prior to the event and before any publicity may be distributed. The Campus Safety Department and Food Services (Chartwells) must also be advised of the event prior to final approval being granted.
2. There is a responsibility shared by all members of the University community for individual behavior. Departments, student groups, organizations, or clubs which sponsor social events are also responsible for behavior that occurs at their events.
3. Signs clearly stating New York state law pertaining to alcohol consumption must be conspicuously displayed at the event.
4. All advertising related to events with alcohol must be approved by the Dean of Students or their designee as to content and form.
5. Non-alcoholic beverages and a sufficient quantity of food must also be easily available at all events with alcohol at no additional cost with the quantity determined by the Dean of Students or designee in conjunction with Food Services.
6. Alcoholic beverages may not be removed from the designated area of the event.
7. Whenever alcoholic beverages are to be served at an event, the sponsoring group/department must hire a Food Services (Chartwells) bartender who is responsible for serving alcoholic beverages to persons who demonstrate that they are 21 years of age or older. Event participants may not serve themselves or others any alcoholic beverages.
8. Alcoholic beverages will only be served to persons 21 years of age or older who have proper identification and the amount to be served may be limited.
9. No person showing any signs of intoxication will be served alcoholic beverages at any time.
10. Only one alcoholic beverage at a time may be served to each individual attending the event.
11. The Director of Campus Safety will establish the minimum number of campus safety officers assigned to an event with alcohol. The sponsoring group/department is responsible for the security costs.
12. The serving of alcoholic beverages at events with alcohol must stop at least one-half hour prior to the scheduled end of the event