Policies and Good Practices for Registered Student Organizations: Activities with Alcohol

The University of Connecticut believes that all members of our community that participate in activities off campus with alcohol in association with their Registered Student Organization (RSO) are encouraged to do so in a safe, inclusive, and responsible manner. This document serves as an educational guide for our RSO members that organize, host, or participate in activities off campus in which alcohol may be present.  

Definitions

Registered Student Organization (RSO) – A student-run entity voluntarily formed by University of Connecticut students, with a common interest, for a lawful purpose, and registered with their respective campus-based Student Activities office. For the purpose of this resource document, RSO includes Trustee Student Organizations unless noted otherwise. 

Third-Party Vendor – Any venue, facility, or legal alcohol provider that services activities. (e.g., Banquet Hall, Bar, Tavern, etc.) 

Bring Your Own Beverage (BYOB) – Any activity where participants are invited to procure their own alcohol for their own personal consumption.  

Activity at which the RSO (or someone) Provides the Alcohol – Any activity at which someone brings alcohol that will be shared with others; the RSO or a person(s) pay for the alcohol.  

Open Bar – Any activity where a third-party vendor is providing alcohol with no direct cost to consumer(s).  

Cash Bar – Any activity where a third-party vendor is providing alcohol that costs the consumer(s) per beverage. 

Sober Host – Any RSO affiliate who does not consume any alcohol within a reasonable amount of time before the pre-activity, so that they are sober: pre-activity, during the activity, or during any post-activity socialization. 

Policies and Good Practices

RSO sponsored activities that include alcohol, or for activities sponsored by other organizations in which RSOs or their members participate/attend that include alcohol, are expected to adhere to the University policies, including the Student Code. RSOs are strongly encouraged to practice risk mitigation efforts, including but not limited to the recommended good practices outlined below.  

All RSO Members, participants and Third-Party Vendors must follow all state and federal laws.  

The Student Code applies both on and off campus for UConn students. (see The Student Code Part III.A.) 

Applicable University & Third-Party Vendor Policies 

  • Driving under the influence of alcohol is prohibited.  
  • Due to commercial liability laws, drinking games of any kind are prohibited. 
  • Alcohol cannot be purchased with University funds, including USG Funding.  
  • Allowing any person under the age of 21 to consume alcohol is also prohibited.  
  • Providing alcohol to a person who is visibly intoxicated and/or pressuring others to use alcohol is prohibited. 

 

Good Practices for Off-Campus Activities involving Alcohol 

With Third-Party Vendors 

  • Prior to working with Third-Party Vendors, RSOs should confirm that Third-Party Vendors will be responsible for, and should explicitly agree (e.g. in writing) that they will be responsible for checking identification of all participants/attendees (not the RSO). 
  • Guests who are already impaired should not be allowed into the event. 
  • There should be one well-lit and monitored entrance for the event space. 
  • There should be several available exits, and do not use exits as entrances. 
  • Food and alternative beverages (e.g. non-alcoholic) should be available for all participants/attendees. 
  • Assess security needs and implement risk mitigation strategies accordingly (e.g. crowd size, participant age, physical location, transportation, etc.). 
  • Have copies of all agreements, insurance certificates, licensures, etc. at the activity. 
  • Provide participants with a safe method of transportation – do not let anyone who has been drinking any amount operate a vehicle, or walk any significant distance. 
  • Understand a Third-Party Vendor’s rules and regulations that will pertain to your activity. Ask the vendor for a copy of their rules and regulations.  
  • Let all participants/attendees know in advance of beverage limits. 
  • Work with bartender to ensure no participants are over-served. 
  • There should be at least 1 sober host per every 10-15 guests in attendance. 
  • A suggested 2-3 guests per RSO member is the ratio for the guest list, but keep in mind local fire code or building code capacity. 
  • RSOs are strongly discouraged from having an “open bar” at any activities. 

 

Good Practices for Activities involving Alcohol 

If Hosting a BYOB event or Activity where an RSO Provides Alcohol 

  • Common source drinks should not be permitted as well as excessive source alcohol containers. This includes, but is not limited to: kegs, blackout rage gallons (BORG), beer balls, wine fountains, alcoholic punch, ice luges, etc. 
  • The RSO hosting the activity must have a method of checking for and visibly indicating participants who are of the legal drinking age. This can be done by having a member check IDs and then provide bracelets to folks who are 21 or over.  
    • All attendees and RSO members should have ID that indicates their age on their persons at all times during the activity. 
    • Guests who are already impaired should not be allowed into the event. 
    • There should be one well-lit and monitored entrance. 
    • There should be several available exits, and do not use exits as entrances.  
    • Food and alternative beverages (e.g. non-alcoholic) should be available for all participants/attendees.   
    • Assess security needs and implement risk mitigation strategies accordingly (e.g. crowd size, participant age, physical location, transportation, etc.). 
    • Provide participants with a safe method of transportation – do not let anyone who has been drinking any amount operate a vehicle, or walk any significant distance. 
    • Discourage use of glass bottles as they are an additional risk. 
    • Devise a method for tracking participant consumption (e.g. only allowing participants to bring in a specific number of beverages or having a punch card or drink ticket system). 
    • There should at least 1 sober host per every 10-15 guests. 
    • A suggested 2-3 guests per RSO member is the ratio for the guest list, but keep in mind local fire code or building code capacity. 
    • Communicate all policies and procedures to all participants/attendees in advance. 

    Additional Resources 

    This document supplements and does not supersede any other legal requirements.