Hunter College Policy on Alcoholic Beverages

 

I.   BACKGROUND:

Hunter College is committed to the health, safety and well-being of our campus community.

II.   PURPOSE:

The purpose of this Hunter College Policy on Alcoholic Beverages ("Policy") is to ensure the safe and responsible service and consumption of alcohol on the Hunter College campus and at events sponsored by Hunter College.

III.   SCOPE:

This policy applies to all Hunter College community members including administrators, faculty, staff, students, alumni, vendors, licensees and visitors and to all events and gatherings where alcohol is served and that take place on Hunter College property or are sponsored by Hunter College. However, those who host events and gatherings that are not sponsored by the college and take place off-campus, are strongly encouraged to host responsibly and promote compliance with the law as well as moderation in the consumption of alcohol.

IV.   RELEVANT LAWS AND POLICIES:

The sale, service, possession, and consumption of alcohol at Hunter College is governed by the New York State Alcoholic Beverage Control Law, other New York State and New York City laws, and CUNY's Policy on Drugs and Alcohol.

New York State Law prohibits the sale, giving and serving of alcohol to individuals under the age of 21 and the possession and consumption of alcohol by persons under the age of 21. Furthermore, New York State Law prohibits the possession of an open container or consumption of alcohol in public and prohibits the sale, giving, and serving of alcohol to anyone over the age of 21 without the proper liquor license or permit. Therefore:

1. The sale, giving and serving of alcohol to individuals under the age of 21 on the Hunter campus, residence, and at any Hunter sponsored event is prohibited;
2. The possession or consumption of an open container of alcohol is prohibited in all public areas on the Hunter campus; and
3. The sale and service of alcohol to anyone over the age of 21 on the Hunter College campus and at any Hunter sponsored event without the proper New York State site license or permit from NYSLA is prohibited.

• There must be a clear "Host" of every Hunter College sponsored event or gathering, whether it takes place on or off campus, who is an employee of Hunter College. This individual must be present throughout the event and is responsible for ensuring that the service and consumption of alcohol are in compliance with all relevant laws and policies. The availability of alcohol requires serious attention by event Hosts for the safety, well-being and protection of participants.
• The Host is responsible for checking IDs in situations where it is unclear whether an attendee is 21 years of age or older. Attendees may demonstrate that they are over the age of 21 using an acceptable form of identification such as a U.S. or international passport; driver's license or state ID; or resident alien identification card.
• Hunter College staff may spot-check the legal age of any person in the area where alcohol is being served. The use of a false ID is prohibited. All false IDs will be confiscated and a disciplinary referral will be made.
• The Host must post signs at the bar which state that the New York State drinking age is 21.

V.   REQUIREMENT TO HIRE A LICENSED CATERER:

A Host is required to hire a licensed caterer if an event will include the service of alcohol to a group of more than 50 guests.

• All licensed caterers are required to obtain liquor liability insurance.

VI.   ALCOHOL AND FOOD:

• Alcohol served at Hunter College and at Hunter College sponsored events, whether on or off campus, must be limited to beer, wine and cider except at donor cultivation events. Spirits may be permitted at donor cultivation events provided that the Host has received written permission (email is acceptable) from a senior administrator such as a dean, provost, vice president or the president.
• Nonalcoholic beverages and substantive food must be provided whenever alcohol is served at Hunter College and at all Hunter College sponsored events.

VII.   EVENTS ON CAMPUS WHERE ALCOHOL IS SERVED:

This section applies to any event in a communal space on campus where alcohol is served.

• A Host is required to request the necessary permit from NYSLA no later than 15 business days prior to the event. The adherence to a 15 day request for a permit is essential to ensure that the correct procedures are followed. Two possible routes for securing a permit are:
  • • Temporary Beer, Wine and Cider Permit: Hosts can request this permit on NYSLA's website (www.sla.ny.gov). The permit is in effect for 24 hours and the associated fee is $36 per bar.
    • Catering Permit: This permit can be acquired when a licensed caterer will serve alcohol at an event.
• Before a Host or caterer submits a request for a permit from NYSLA, the Host must receive approval to proceed by completing the "Approval to Proceed Form" and following the procedures outlined on the Hunter College Central Reservations Office's webpage. The Host is required to submit the application package, including the floor plan, to the Office of Public Safety, Central Reservations and the Office of Finance and Budget. Hosts should request permission from the various offices as soon as possible but no later than 21 business days prior to the event.
• It is preferable that any person serving alcohol will have completed New York State's Training for Intervention Procedures by Servers of Alcohol (TIPS) (available on line) or a comparable course.
• There should be a clear start and end time for all events where alcohol is served and the Host must remain at the event throughout its duration.
• Event Hosts should not allow individuals who appear to be intoxicated to enter the event area. If an individual is intoxicated and attempts to enter the event area, the Host should inform the Office of Public Safety.
• A Public Safety Officer may be assigned to any event where alcohol will be served. The Public Safety officer will be stationed at the main exit of the venue to enforce the Henderson Rules and check that no one is visibly intoxicated as they leave the event area. Hosts should work with the public safety officer to monitor the consumption of alcohol during the event.

VIII.   SMALL GATHERINGS ON CAMPUS WHERE ALCOHOL IS SERVED:

• Faculty, staff, and students who are 21 years of age or older may possess, serve and consume alcohol in non-communal spaces and at small celebratory social gathering as long as:
  • • The gathering is closed to the general public and has a guest list that is known in advance;
    • The list of attendees does not exceed 50 individuals; and
    • The Host has received written approval (email is acceptable) from a supervisor and the chair, dean, or other senior administrator responsible for the organizational unit.

IX.   OFF CAMPUS EVENTS WHERE ALCOHOL IS SERVED:

This section applies to all Hunter College sponsored events that take place off campus where alcohol is served and more than 50 people are in attendance.

• Hunter College sponsored events are only permitted to take place at venues that are licensed to serve alcohol and, alternatively, at venues where a licensed caterer is hired to serve alcohol.
• There should be no public communications on campus that advertise the service of alcohol at off-campus events.

X.   EXCEPTIONS:

In addition to donor cultivation events, there may be Hunter College sponsored events, whether on or off campus, at which the service of spirits may be anticipated. Senior administrators such as deans, provosts, vice presidents or the president of the college, may make an exception to the policy and permit spirits. However, spirits may only be served when a Host has secured written permission from the senior administrator (email is acceptable) two weeks prior to the event.

XI.   SANCTIONS:

Failure to comply with this policy or any law governing the consumption of alcohol may result in disciplinary action and/or referral to law enforcement.