• Departments List
• Scheduling, Events and Conferences
  • Event Request and Other Forms
  • Insurance Requirements
  • Facility Galleries and Information
  • Summer Conferences
  • Weddings at Willamette
  • Camps, Conferences, & Youth Programs
  • Faculty Event Information
  • University Policies
    • Cat closure
    • Self-Catered, Pot Luck and Bake Sales
    • Alcohol Policy
    • Classrooms Policy
    • Cone Chapel Policy
    • Decorations Policy
    • General Policy
    • Hatfield Room Policy
    • Museum of Art Policy
    • Petitions Policy
    • Political Policy
    • Campus Safety Policy
    • Sponsored Event/Host Policy
    • Thetford Lodge
    • Vendor Policy
    • Wedding Policy
    • Inflatable Bouncers, Toys, and Games, etc. Policy
    • Children on Campus Policy
  • Event Planning Resources
  • Thetford Lodge
  • Concierge Services
  • Staff

Alcohol Policy

Introduction

Willamette University does not approve of the illegal consumption of alcoholic beverages by underage persons. Moreover, Willamette University condemns the abuse of alcoholic beverages. No person under the age of 21 years shall attempt to purchase or acquire an alcoholic beverage, and no person under the age of 21 years shall have personal possession of an alcoholic beverage. Evidence has shown that underage consumption of alcoholic beverages is prevalent on university campuses despite state laws and university rules and regulations. Due to the persistence of underage consumption of alcoholic beverages, Willamette University's policy and procedures implements an educational as well as regulatory aspect in addressing this situation. This alcohol policy is intended to serve the following objectives:

• to promote legal and responsible behavior and attitudes among all members of the University community;
• to create programs and services to educate students concerning the use and effects of alcoholic beverages in order to encourage responsible decision-making;
• to aid individuals experiencing difficulties associated with the use of alcohol.

This alcohol policy is a component of the University Standards of Conduct and its procedures. It applies to all students, faculty, staff and administrators. Failure to observe the following policies and regulations shall constitute a violation of the University policy and may subject the individual(s) or group(s) to sanctions outlined in the Standards of Conduct and the appropriate employee handbook. Ignorance of laws and regulations is no excuse for irresponsible or illegal behavior.

Policies Governing Use of Alcohol

• Individuals twenty-one (21) years of age or older may consume alcohol in accordance with this policy.
• Individuals not of legal drinking age (not yet 21 years old) are not permitted to consume or be under the influence of alcohol.
• No person shall misuse or abuse alcohol.
• No person shall sell, give or otherwise make available any alcoholic beverage to a person under the age of 21 years.
• No person shall sell, give or otherwise make available any alcoholic beverage to any person who is visibly intoxicated.

Individual Student Rooms

University residences include fraternity and sorority houses, residences and apartments.

1. Consistent with Oregon State law, private gatherings in individual student rooms will not be considered social functions and need not be registered. Occupants and participants are responsible for abiding by all University policies.
2. Any gathering in an individual student room where alcohol is present may not exceed a safe and manageable occupancy for that room. The University defines safe and manageable occupancy as no more than three (3) times the residential occupancy for that room.
3. Regardless of the number of persons in an individual student room, a University employee may enter a room to ensure compliance with health and safety standards, or if there is reason to believe that there have been violations of University policy or state and federal law.

Other University Facilities/Common Areas

1. When alcohol is to be served in any Willamette University approved facility, the Alcohol Use Request Form must be submitted online twelve (12) working days prior to the event for final approval by the University's Facilities and Events Committee. Form copies will then be sent to the following offices as deemed appropriate: campus safety, food service, the appropriate building manager, and the director of scheduling and conference services.
2. Consistent with the general alcohol policy regulations, alcohol may be served or consumed in the following buildings (excluding classrooms) on campus upon approval of the Alcohol Request Form:
3. • University Center
   • Playhouse
   • Art Building
   • Smith Fine Arts Building
   • Law School (including patio)
   • Atkinson Graduate School of Management (including patio)
   • Waller Hall
   • Common areas in most University residences
   • McCulloch Stadium patio
   • Montag Center recreation area
   • Thetford Lodge
4. Upon approval of the Alcohol Request Form, alcohol may be served at catered events (i.e., receptions, dinners) in:
5. • Goudy Commons
   • Sparks Recreational Center
   • Mary Stuart Rogers Music Center
   • Hallie Ford Museum of Art
   • Hatfield Room in the Hatfield Library
   • Tokyo International University of America
   • Thetford Lodge (by permission)
6. A notice of the approval of the Alcohol Request Form shall be displayed at the event.
7. In instances where a registered event is only utilizing a portion (i.e., room) of a building, the serving and consumption of alcohol must be confined to the specific registered or designated area (i.e., room).

University Trips and Off-Campus University Events

1. This University alcohol policy is in effect on all University-sponsored travel involving students and at off-campus, University functions involving students, as applicable.
2. Prior to any University travel, participants are encouraged to review the University Standards of Conduct, including review of this alcohol policy. All participants will be held responsible for their behavior during University travel and at off-campus, University functions.
3. Employees or students on University business or driving University vehicles are prohibited from consuming alcoholic beverages before driving.

Regulations and Procedures

1. Alcohol may not be served or consumed in any outdoor areas of the campus during the academic year unless the serving complies with the alcohol policy guidelines, and receives specific approval on a case-by-case basis.
2. Direct or indirect sale of alcohol is prohibited without the written permission of the vice president for Administrative Services.
3. To sponsor an event where alcohol will be served, access the Alcohol Use Request form online at least twelve (12) working days prior to any scheduling.
4. Alcohol must be distributed through a Willamette approved third party vendor, unless otherwise approved by the vice president for Administrative Services.
5. When alcohol has been approved to be served in University facilities, it is approved with the intent that participants will not leave the facility and operate a vehicle under the influence of alcohol.
6. Alcoholic beverages will not be served or consumed at events where attendance is open to those other than invited members of the Willamette community and their guests without specific written permission.
7. Willamette participants in a sponsored event must produce current Willamette University ID. A guest of any Willamette University community member must produce identification (e.g., drivers license, University ID) verifying at or above University-age status.
8. Willamette University community members are responsible for their guests.
9. Alcoholic beverages will not be mentioned or implied in publicity for an event.
10. Alcohol will not be the main focus of an event.
11. Appealing non-alcoholic beverages and food must be served at all events while alcohol is being consumed or served. Food and non-alcoholic drinks must be displayed as prominently as alcoholic beverages.
12. The area where alcohol was served or consumed must be cleared and cleaned immediately following the event. Sponsors of the event will clear and clean this area or will make arrangements to have this done.
13. Kegs, party balls and other common-source containers are not permitted on campus without the written permission of the vice president for Administrative Services.
14. Student body activity fees may not be used for purchase of alcoholic beverages.
15. An event where alcohol is present may not exceed a safe and manageable number of people at any one time. This number will be determined by the University.
16. All entrances and exits of University facilities where alcohol is served must be monitored. In the case of a large event (as defined by the University), organizers must arrange with Campus Safety for security officers for the duration of the event.
17. A member of the University staff shall take measures to stop an activity at which alcohol is served or consumed if there is any problem which cannot be corrected. Food Service staff also has the responsibility of monitoring the use of alcohol at catered events.
18. Students, faculty, staff and administrators will be held directly responsible for the destruction of personal or public property, the violation of the safety or rights of other persons, the violation of any state or federal law, or the violation of any other campus regulations which may occur while they are under the influence of alcohol. Such behavior will result in disciplinary action by the University or by local, state or federal law enforcement.
19. All events must comply with applicable Oregon Liquor Control Commission guidelines.
20. Open containers of alcoholic beverages are not permitted in public areas. A student room or apartment is considered public if the door to the hallway is open.
21. Students and guests consuming alcohol may be required to present identification and verification of age.
22. The University defines "under the influence" as any detectable level of alcohol or noticeable or perceptible impairment of mental or physical faculties.

Procedures for Enforcement

1. The vice president for Administrative Services shall be responsible for the enforcement of the Alcohol Policy. Any other member of the University community may refer violations of this policy to the vice president for Administrative Services for possible action.
2. Violations of the Alcohol Policy by students or student groups will be adjudicated through the Standards of Conduct Policies and Procedures in this handbook.
3. Violations of the Alcohol Policy by University faculty, staff or administrators, departments or their department-sponsored groups will be adjudicated by the appropriate dean/administrator, in consultation with vice president for Administrative Services.

Corrective Measures and Sanctions

Sanctions will be administered under the policies and procedures of the Standards of Conduct, or as outlined in the employee handbook, whichever is appropriate. Sanctions will be administered for the abusive use of alcohol. Sanctions will always include an educational component. Students may be required to attend an alcohol education class for first time violations of the Alcohol Policy. The University may require additional sanctions such as, but not limited to, Risk Management and liability or leadership education programs. Repeat or egregious behavior will require more comprehensive educational sanctions including outpatient treatment and assessment. Violations may require that the University contact a parent under FERPA guidelines. Repeated violations may lead to suspension. Sanctions may include suspension of privileges to serve, possess or consume alcohol on campus in University-owned facilities. The University may require students to be absent from events or activities where alcohol is served or consumed including, but not limited to, their on-campus private residences.