ALOCHOLIC POLICY
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
Policies and Procedures Manual
Subject of Policy Statement: Alcoholic Beverages
Effective Date: 03/21/02
Policy Number: 30-006
I. INTRODUCTION (Purpose and Intent)
This policy provides guidelines for the consumption of alcoholic beverages on campus. The intent of this policy is to encourage use and non-use of alcohol in a manner that promotes health, safety, and responsibility, while discouraging alcohol abuse. Thus, the serving and consumption of alcoholic beverages in approved events and permissible individual activities are to be an amenity to well-planned and structured programs; it is not to be the indispensable and essential program element.
The use of alcoholic beverages by members of the University of South Florida community is at all times subject to the alcoholic beverages laws of the State of Florida, Hillsborough County and the City of Tampa. Such laws include Florida Statutes, Sections 322.141, 561.422, 562.11(l)(a), (2), 562.111, and 565.12, Hillsborough County Ordinance 87-24, §2 and City of Tampa Ordinance 8447-A, §4-11.
II. STATEMENT OF POLICY
A. All University-related participants (student, faculty, and staff) at a University event where alcohol is being served must be able to provide a valid USF identification card and another legal form of identification, which indicates birth date upon request to gain entrance into the event. Only one non-University guest per USF representative is allowed to attend an event (except ticketed events, athletic contests, or lectures) sponsored by a University group or person and he/she must be accompanied by a USF representative (student, faculty or staff member) with a valid USF identification card. Non-University guests must show a valid form of picture identification. Guests may be requested to sign a guest sheet when entering the event. (See II. D. 2.)
B. Consumption of alcohol on the USF campus is limited to approved events and areas designated (see III.A.) for sale and consumption of alcohol. Any individual failing to comply may be found in violation of University policy, city ordinance, and applicable state laws and may be subject to prosecution.
C. Organizers of student sponsored events where alcoholic beverages will be served must submit an Event Approval Request and a Permission to Serve Alcohol Form to the Coordinator of Public Functions, who will secure University Police approval from the University Police Special Events Officer.
Exception:
Any fraternity or sorority event on university property where alcohol is present must be approved by the Greek coordinator as part of the Student Event Approval review process.
D. Organizers of non-undergraduate student sponsored events such as graduate, professional, faculty, staff, University-related groups and organizations (e.g., Alumni Association), and non-University groups should request approval for the event from the appropriate Vice President, Dean or Director. The appropriate university police representative must be notified of all approved events. For those events that have more than one keg (Note: with the exception of fraternities and sororities as their national policies do not allow kegs) and/or more than 100 people attending, approval must also be obtained from the University Police Special Events Officer.
1. The administrator approving such events shall have on record as part of the approval process a memo stating the university representative who will be present at the event and be responsible for the enforcement of the University's Alcohol Policy.
2. The serving of alcoholic beverages must adhere to Florida Alcoholic Beverages Laws. Proper identification must be presented by participants to consume alcoholic beverages at the event. The following are the only acceptable forms of identification, according to Florida law:
* Florida Driver's License
* State of Florida Personal Identification Card
* Passport
* Active Military Identification Card (green)
* Out of State Driver's License
3. Each individual is liable for all of his/her actions regardless of his/her mental or physical state, even if altered by alcoholic beverages. Additionally, each organized group at USF is responsible for the behavior of its members and guests whenever sponsoring an event.
4. Neither state funds nor state accounts can be used to purchase alcoholic beverages.
5. If alcoholic beverages are served at University events free of charge, non-alcoholic beverages must also be free of charge.
6. Any sponsor of an event where alcohol is to be served must submit an Event Approval Request Form and a Permission to Serve Alcohol Form to the Coordinator of Public Functions.
a) The sponsoring organization must adhere to any program stipulations required during the approval process. For student sponsored events, the Events Approval Request must be submitted no less than eight (8) working days prior to the proposed event.
b) The Coordinator of Public Functions may limit the length of the event, the amount of alcohol to be served, the nature of the event, and the number and age of the anticipated participants as follows:
1) Student organizations will be expected by the Coordinator of Public Functions to have their advisor or faculty/staff representative present at events where alcoholic beverages will be served.
2) The Coordinator of Public Functions may require the use of a non-reusable wristband to identify individuals over the age of 21.
3) At no time shall any USF student, faculty, or staff person serve alcohol without approved training/certification. Each shall be responsible for verifying legal drinking age.
4) All non-USF organizations or entities must abide by USF Alcoholic Beverage Policies when hosting an event on USF property.
7. Low salt food and non-alcoholic beverages must also be served concurrently with the serving of alcoholic beverages at the event. Adequate proportions of these items will be considered as criteria for event approval.
8. a) The serving of alcohol is expected to be halted one half hourbefore the end of the event. No alcohol will be served after 11:30 p.m.
b) The only alcoholic beverages that may be possessed or consumed at campus events are those alcoholic beverages that are served by the sponsor at the event. Furthermore, alcoholic beverages served at an event must be consumed within the facility designated for the event.
9. The Coordinator of Public Functions, in conjunction with the University Police Department will be responsible for making the determination of adequate security needs at events where alcohol is being served, based upon location, entertainment present, age of attendees, and other factors relevant to providing adequate security. Sponsoring group(s) will be responsible for offsetting security-related costs.
10. Appropriate measures for adequate clean-up of the facility and surrounding areas will be required of the group sponsoring the event. Failure to comply with clean-up requirements will result in fines for the organization to cover the expenses of clean-up and/or damages.
11. Alcoholic beverages may not be consumed or served at University Intramural Sports contests or at University Intercollegiate Athletic contests on University premises.
12.The sponsoring individual or group is responsible for ensuring that the event complies with this USF Alcoholic Beverages Policy. The reserving entities should provide the sponsoring group with this policy.
13. In extenuating circumstances, exceptions to this policy can be made at the discretion of the Vice President for Student Affairs for student events.
III. DESIGNATED AREAS
The same area restrictions in Section III of this policy apply to all faculty, staff, students, University-related groups and organizations (e.g. Alumni Association) and non-University groups serving alcoholic beverages at approved programs.
A. Campus areas (Tampa campus) where alcoholic beverages may be served in conjunction with an approved event include:
1. Designated rooms in the Marshall Student Center and designated areas in the Special Events Center
2. Martin Luther King Plaza
3. Crescent Hill
4. Football, soccer, baseball, softball fields
5. Golf Course
6. Sun Dome - selected events
7. Stadium - selected events
8. Alumni Center
9. Chinsegut Hill Conference Center
10. Andros and Argos Dining Facilities
11. Lifsey House (President's House)
12. Other areas as designated by the Coordinator of Public Functions.
13. The College of Medicine
NOTE: In accordance with other county and state parks, alcoholic beverages are NOT permitted at the Riverfront Park.
IV. PENALTY FOR VIOLATION
Those individuals or groups (faculty, staff or student) found to be in violation of this policy are personally liable for their actions and may be subject to criminal prosecution and/or de-certification, de-activation, or disciplinary procedures as recommended by the Coordinator of Public Functions.
It should be at the discretion of University Police to stop the sale or service of alcoholic beverages at any on campus event.
Dr. Harold L. Nixon
Vice President for Student Affairs
Judy Genshaft
President |
