UNIVERSITY ALCOHOL POLICY (1) General Principles The University considers all its members - faculty, staff and students - to be mature persons and accordingly, the obligation to use alcohol legally and responsibly is, first and foremost, an individual one. That individual obligation does not preclude the University from taking appropriate action against individuals when their actions adversely affect University activities or are inconsistent with this Policy. Where appropriate, the University will undertake to: (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) Implement serving practices and policies that promote the responsible use of alcohol and inhibit the adoption of high risk alcohol consumption practices. Pay particular attention to alcohol use practices in University residences. Manage alcohol use in a way that seeks to prevent the creation of unreasonable risks. Manage licensed facilities in accordance with the law and the terms of the University license. Provide appropriate training to those responsible for the management of licensed premises and the serving of alcoholic beverages. Educate members of the University, especially high risk groups, regarding responsible alcohol use and the dangers of problematic use. Stay in touch with developments regarding alcohol use education programs and training, related services, and other relevant data regarding alcohol consumption on campus. Intervene when problematic alcohol use endangers the individual involved or others, significantly affects an individual's ability to function in the University context, or results in damage to the property of the University, disrupts its activities, educational or otherwise, or interferes with the rights of other persons. These principles have implications for the administration of the University's liquor license, the approach to alcohol use among the University's students, and among its faculty and staff.
Page 2 (2) The University's Liquor License The administration of the University's liquor license is the responsibility of the Vice-President, Student Services. This responsibility has been delegated to the General Manager of the Student Union, who shall report to the Vice-President, Student Services. The General Manager of the Student Union is the designated administrator of the license. The Bar Services operation reports to the License Administrator. This responsibility will be exercised in consultation with users of licensed premises and license services, and with the University Alcohol Use Advisory Committee. The liquor license shall be administered in accordance with the following rules: (d) (e) (f) (g) Access to alcohol service on campus utilizing the University liquor license is a privilege, available only to the extent that there is compliance with all internal rules, regulations and statutory requirements. With the exception of residence rooms, alcoholic beverages may not be consumed on campus except in licensed areas by arrangement with Bar Services. With the exception of beverages purchased for private consumption in a residence, and in the Graduate House and the Dalhousie Arts Centre which have been authorized to place their own orders under the University s license, and the University Club which has its own license, only alcoholic beverages purchased through Bar Services may be consumed on campus. Normally food and non-alcoholic beverages should be available whenever alcoholic beverages are served. Alcoholic beverages will be priced to recover the cost of product and any necessary handling charges. A small profit is allowable, but organizations should not depend on alcohol-related revenues to support their operations to a significant extent. In licensed areas, alcoholic beverages may only be served by persons who have completed a training program operated by Bar Services, or another program approved by the Committee. Events at which alcohol is served in licensed areas are open to members of the University and their guests, plus those attending conferences or other special events on campus. Users of the campus liquor license who fail to observe the applicable law and regulations or the provisions of this Policy, or who fail to pay their accounts with Bar Services within a reasonable time, may have their privileges withdrawn by the License Administrator.
Page 3 (3) The University Club The University Club has its own license and is responsible for its administration. (4) Advertising Advertising of events (on campus or elsewhere) which emphasizes excessive or inappropriate alcohol consumption, or which refers to the price or cost of alcohol, will not be allowed on campus. Pub crawls may not be advertised on campus. (5) Donated Alcohol Products Normally, the University does not permit the distribution of free alcohol products for consumption on its premises. However, in exceptional circumstances, permission may be granted. Requests for permission should be directed to the License Administrator, who will keep a record of requests that are approved and report periodically to the Advisory Committee. Suppliers who distribute free product without permission may have their products delisted for consumption in licensed premises on campus. (6) Pub Crawls The University does not approve of pub crawls, and their organization or promotion on campus is not permitted. Members of the University who nonetheless choose to organize pub crawls should be aware of the responsibility and potential personal liability involved. (7) Alcohol Education for Students An alcohol education program shall be conducted by the Office of the Vice-President, Student Services, in consultation with the University Alcohol Use Advisory Committee. The programs will be aimed primarily at students, especially those who use licensed facilities on campus or live in residence. The program will be financed from a variety of sources, including, where appropriate, a contribution from the residence budget, alcohol sales revenues on campus, other contributions, and funds from the Student Employment Program (if available), with other staff time and support provided by Student Services and the Student Union.
Page 4 (8) Individual Interventions Involving Students When interventions to deal with instances of problematic alcohol use by students are necessary, these interventions should be undertaken in a discreet manner which respects the right of students to manage their own lives. Counsellors, residence staff and other staff members responsible for advising students should be aware of the services available for persons experiencing alcohol-related problems so that appropriate referrals can be made. (9) Alcohol Use Issues Involving Faculty and Staff When interventions to deal with instances of problematic alcohol use involving faculty and staff are necessary, these interventions shall be undertaken in a discreet manner which respects the right of the faculty and staff to manage their own lives, but which requires the fulfilment of their obligations to the University, and to others, arising from their employment by the University. Such interventions shall be conducted in accordance with any relevant provisions of the University's personnel policies and any applicable collective agreement or employment contract. (10) Alcohol Use Developments The University should maintain links with agencies and organizations concerned with responsible alcohol use so as to stay abreast of developments in this area. (11) University Alcohol Use Advisory Committee There will be a University Alcohol Use Advisory Committee which will: Assist the University administration in the responsible management of alcohol use on campus. Monitor the implementation of the University Alcohol Policy, recommending changes when appropriate. Advise regarding the handling of specific alcohol use issues. The Committee's composition will be as follows: Student Services (1) Dalhousie Student Union President or Designate (1) Housing (1) Security (1) University License Administrator (1) University Legal Counsel or Designate (1) Others Appointed by Vice-President, Student Services Vice-President, Student Services, or Designate (Chair)
Page 5 (12) Violations of the University Alcohol Policy or Liquor License Regulations Normally, when a minor violation of the University Alcohol Policy or liquor license regulations is detected, provided that the violation is corrected immediately, a licensed event may be allowed to continue to its conclusion. However, the University and the Bar Services representative reserve the right to stop alcohol service immediately if a serious violation is detected and immediate closure of the event seems appropriate. When a violation of the University Alcohol Policy or terms of the liquor license is detected, those responsible for the event will be notified. As soon as possible (normally within three working days of the violation) the License Administrator will give the responsible groups or individual the opportunity to respond to the allegation, in person or in writing. Following consideration of any response and any other relevant information, the License Administrator shall consult with the Vice-President, Student Services, and may impose a penalty, consisting of a fine, or a period of suspension of the right to conduct a licensed event on campus, or both. A first suspension will typically be for 30 days, a second in the same year for 60 days or more. Groups which violate the University Alcohol Policy or the terms of the liquor license may also lose the right to use University facilities for their events. August 8, 1997 Revised July 10, 2002 Revised September 12, 2002 Revised January 31, 2003 Revised May 14, 2008 g:\myfiles\alcohol.cte\alcoholpolicyinword08pdfversion.pdf