WASHINGTON AND LEE UNIVERSITY GUIDELINES FOR
ON-CAMPUS SERVING OF ALCOHOL
These internal guidelines provide direction to serving
alcoholic beverages at University events held on W&L's campus. They
are intended to reflect, in writing, the intent underlying the University
Initiatives on Substance Abuse that were adopted by the Faculty in May
2001.
I. The University
Initiatives on Substance Abuse state the following, in pertinent:
General Environment of the
University
*Implement strategies to reduce alcohol at all
University-sponsored events with a special emphasis on major weekends. In
those cases where serving of alcohol is judged an appropriate aspect of a
University campus event, consider serving beer and wine, not hard liquor.
*Request that Administration establish a practice under
which receptions sponsored by the University for events which include
undergraduate student participation be alcohol free.
*Establish a policy that will encourage social activities
in undergraduate classroom buildings to be alcohol free, absent special
circumstances.
Guidelines
1. IMPLEMENTATION
of these guidelines shall be through the Dean of Students after discussion and
coordination with the appropriate academic Dean, Provost, catering, dining
services, alumni relations, and others, as necessary and appropriate depending
on the location of the proposed event. Information on University events that
are to be held on campus where alcohol may be served shall be provided to and
coordinated with the Dean of Students prior to finalizing plans for the events.
Recurring and like events need not have approval unless the service of those
beverages are to change. Service of alcohol at W&L will be consistent with
applicable regulations of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
2. ACADEMIC
SPACES/CLASSROOM BUILDINGS: General rule is that no alcohol will be served
absent special circumstances (e.g., dedication of classrooms or buildings) in
which case only service of wine and beer only is preferred; hard liquor may be
served if undergraduates will not be present and after weighing factors under
"Special Circumstances."
3. NON-ACADEMIC,
PUBLIC AND NON-PUBLIC SPACES including private residences such as Lee House,
Morris House, Castle House, Alumni House, Early-Fielding Building, John W.
Elrod Commons, Mason-New Board Room, Lenfest Center: General rule is that
if alcohol is to be served, wine and beer only is preferred, it shall be
limited to wine and beer, absent special circumstances.
4. OUTSIDE/OPEN
SPACES: General rule is that if alcohol is to be served, wine and beer
only is preferred, absent special circumstances.
5. Residence
Halls and Greek Housing: These guidelines are not intended to apply to
residential housing where existing University guidelines for possession,
consumption and service of alcohol in residential housing shall be adhered
to.
6. SPECIAL
CIRCUMSTANCES/EXCEPTIONS to General Rules: Factors to be considered in
determining whether special circumstances exist on whether alcohol should be
served (whether it be beer and wine only, or include hard liquor) include
review of the following factors and any others relevant to the decision:
Participants/Guests - if a
critical mass or significant number of undergraduate students are invited or
expected to attend, special exceptions should be granted in rare occasions, if
ever.
Location of the Event - If
events are not to be held in academic buildings, special exceptions for serving
alcohol, including hard liquor, may be granted as is reasonable.
Nature of the Event - If
events are more private in nature, special exceptions may be granted as is
reasonable.
Special circumstances will more readily be recognized at
These guidelines are not intended to reduce the ability
of or prevent the University from hosting catered events where alcoholic
beverages are to be served for third parties on University property. These
events will be coordinated through the Dining Hall and its catering services
consistent with applicable regulations.
These factors, and others relevant to
review, may be given differentiated weight, depending upon the circumstances of
each case. For example, if the participants do not include undergraduate
students, and the event is to be located in an academic building, special
circumstances will be more carefully scrutinized. Likewise, if a private
event is to be located in a non-academic, non-public venue, special
circumstances will more readily be recognized.
Departments, individuals, or
entities hosting or sponsoring a University event on campus where alcohol will
be served are asked to utilize University catering.
Effective: