University of Georgia
Social Events Guidelines
Greek Life Office
Division of Student Affairs
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It is the event host’s responsibility to implement a sound risk management plan and ensure all social events taking place where alcohol is present conform to the following standards:

1. Fraternities and sororities at the University of Georgia may not host, financially support or participate in any event open to the general public where alcohol is permitted.  Any exception must be reviewed in consultation with the Director of Greek Life or his/her designee at least 72 hours prior to the beginning of the event.  Fraternities and sororities may host closed events where alcohol may be present and where invited guests may be in attendance, subject to compliance with state and federal law, local ordinances and University regulations.

2.  All social events where alcohol is present will be closed functions and BYOB (bring your own beverage) or closed functions using a third party vendor to handle the alcohol.  The host organization cannot purchase alcohol with organizational funds or participate in the purchase of alcohol in any other manner (no bar tabs, use of personal checking accounts, pooling of funds or “passing the hat,” etc.).

3. The total number of persons present may not exceed three times the membership of one host organization or 100, whichever is greater.  Any exception must be reviewed in consultation with the Director of Greek Life or his/her designee at least 72 hours prior to the beginning of the event.

4. The organization should notify the Greek Life Office of the event, on or off campus, at least 72 hours prior to the beginning of the event.

5. A sign shall be conspicuously displayed at all entrances indicating the event is restricted to members and invited guests and stating the ending time of the event.

6. If alcohol and invited guests are present at an event, the host organization must provide adequate identifiable security personnel or other security measures to ensure the safety of others in attendance during the entire event, including the 30 minute allowance for crowd dispersion at the end of the event.

7. Advertising of a social event where alcohol may be present is prohibited.  Any exception must be reviewed in consultation with the Director of Greek Life or his/her designee before advertising the event.

8.  The fraternity and/or sorority, as host of the event, is responsible for ensuring that only persons 21 years of age or older consume alcoholic beverages.

9. Each person attending the event is responsible for bringing his/her own alcohol for personal consumption (no more than one six pack of beer per person).  Underage persons may not bring alcohol into any social event hosted by a fraternity or sorority.  The fraternity or sorority is responsible for ensuring individuals bring in and consume only their own alcohol.

10. Fraternities and sororities are responsible for taking steps necessary to prevent uninvited guests and noticeably intoxicated people from entering the event; to prevent underage persons from bringing alcohol into the event; to prevent persons from leaving the event to drink, then being readmitted to the event; and to make certain individuals do not leave the event with open containers of alcohol.

11. All common source containers of alcohol, including but not limited to, kegs, community coolers (cooler shared with others), punch bowls, pitchers, bulk quantities, and any other container that may be shared with others, are prohibited.

12. All entrances and exits to the event must be monitored at all times.  If a student is given this responsibility, he/she must be a fully initiated member of the host organization.  The persons monitoring the entrances and exits are not permitted to consume alcoholic beverages or be under the influence of drugs or alcohol during the event.

13. Glass bottles are strictly prohibited at any social event.  Any exceptions must be reviewed in consultation with the Director of Greek Life or his/her designee at least 72 hours prior to the beginning of the event.

14. The host organization is responsible for ensuring that a safe means of transportation is available for its members and guests such as cabs or designated drivers.

15. Social events must end as follows: Sunday through Thursday - 1:30am, Friday and Saturday – 2:00 am.  All entertainment and amplified sound must end by the hours stated.  Crowds must disperse no later than 30 minutes after the event ends.

16. Fraternities and sororities must also conform to all standards established by their respective national organizations regarding social events with alcohol present. 

17. Exceptions to any applicable institutional policies may also need to be reviewed in consultation with the Office of the Dean of Students or his/her designee.

Outdoor Social Events where alcohol is permitted must also conform to the following policies:

1. Because of the necessity for additional planning to ensure compliance with the Noise and Disturbance Ordinance (Section 3-5-24(b)), outdoor social events must be registered at least ten days in advance of the event.  Documented plans must be reviewed by the Director of Greek Life or his/her designee.  Event registration is to clearly establish the permitted hours for the event.

2. Outdoor social events must end as follows: Friday and Saturday – 12 midnight, Sunday through Thursday – 11pm.  All entertainment and amplified sound must end by the hours stated.  University Conduct Regulations prohibit events involving bands or other forms of amplified music on Sundays.  Crowds must disperse no later than 30 minutes after the event ends.  Any exception must be reviewed in consultation with the Director of Greek Life or his/her designee at least seven days in advance of the event.  Be advised that registration of an outdoor event does not constitute permission to allow noise levels to become a public nuisance.  The event host is responsible for preventing the event from becoming a public nuisance.

3. The event must take place entirely within a contained area with functional restrictive barriers.  All entrances and exits must be monitored in the manner stated in #12 above.

4. The event must be registered with the Athens-Clarke County Police Department or other local municipalities, where required, if the event does not occur on University property.

5.  Field parties hosted by more than one organization are prohibited.  The organization must designate a person to monitor the event.  This person or persons may not consume alcoholic beverages or be under the influence of drugs or alcohol during the event.  If group transportation is provided, the monitor must be present at bus loading and unloading.

Failure to comply with these guidelines may result in referral of the student organization to the Office of Student Conduct.  Any questions should be directed to the Director of Greek Life or his/her designee    

Spring 2013