University Policy Manual

Alcohol Policy

Policy Category Issuing Authority Responsibility Publication Date Next Review Date
Risk Management & Security Enterprise Risk Management Enterprise Risk Management 8/18/2023 8/18/2026

 

Policy Statement & Background:

To ensure the responsible use of alcoholic beverages on property owned or leased by Stony Brook University ("University"), the University has established the following policy and procedures applicable to all members of the campus community, including students, faculty, staff, alumni and visitors. The possession, marketing, sale, service and consumption of alcoholic beverages on any University site is regulated by federal, state and county law, as well as University policy.

 

Policy:

The University’s expectations and rules related to alcohol are as follows:

  • Alcohol may be purchased, possessed or consumed only by individuals who have attained the age of 21.
  • The purchase of alcohol with state funds is prohibited.
  • Unless a permit has been obtained from the State Liquor Authority, Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control ("SLA Permit") by the sponsoring individual or organization, the consumption of alcohol or possession of an open container of alcohol anywhere on campus is generally prohibited. This includes, by way of example only: classrooms, grounds, parking lots, student lounges and bathrooms. Students who are age 21 or over may possess and consume alcohol in accordance with the Code of Student Responsibility. See "Code of Student Responsibility" provided at the end of this policy.
  • When alcohol is served, food, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages must be provided in sufficient variety, quantity and abundance commensurate with the availability of the alcoholic beverages.
  • Consumption of alcohol may not be the primary focus of any event. Promoting increased consumption by emphasizing free or reduced price alcoholic beverages is prohibited.
  • Marketing and/or advertisement of alcohol or alcohol-related activities on the campus or in official University publications is prohibited without express approval by the Vice President for Marketing and Communications. Campus events at which alcohol will be served may not emphasize the service of alcohol in marketing material. Student publications should not accept advertising that promotes the irresponsible use or consumption of alcoholic beverages (e.g.: "beer bash", "kamikaze night", "drink specials", etc.). All publicity planned to be distributed for student-sponsored events involving the service of alcohol must be approved in advance by the Office of Student Affairs.

 

Violation of this policy and procedures will result in corrective measures that may include legal or disciplinary action, termination of use permits, persona non grata status, etc.

 

Procedures

1. General Procedures

 

Any University event at any campus facility which may involve the possession, marketing, sale, service or consumption of alcohol must conform to the procedural requirements outlined below:

 

  • Alcohol may be consumed only at State-licensed sites (i.e.: Simons Center Cafe, Island Federal Credit Union Arena, in Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium, in Pritchard Gymnasium, at Joe Nathan Field (baseball)/University Field (softball) complexes, etc.) and in facilities or at events which have obtained an SLA Permit. Information regarding SLA Permits can be obtained from the following website: https://sla.ny.gov/permits-available-online.

 

The following rules are in effect for alcohol sales at the Island Federal Credit Union Arena, in Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium, in Pritchard Gymnasium, at Joe Nathan Field (baseball)/University Field (softball) complexes:

 

    1. Wristbands: At the point of service, of age patrons will be issued a colored wristband to be worn while consuming alcoholic beverages. Patrons consuming what appears to be alcohol without a wristband are subject to proof of age by venue management or authorized parties including the University Police Department (UPD). A wristband will not be considered proof of age for additional purchases and every patron regardless of age must show proper ID at the point of sale.
    2. Purchase Limitations: No individual patron may purchase more than two alcoholic beverages at one time. Stony Brook University reserves the right to limit patrons to one beverage at their sole discretion.

    3. Venue Rules: Alcoholic beverages are not allowed to be brought into or removed from event areas and no refunds will be provided for confiscated beverages. Alcohol service will not be offered in the proximity of student entries or sections (where possible). Alcoholic beverages are not allowed in designated student areas and Stony Brook University reserves the right to designate additional alcohol-free zones.

    4. First & Last Calls: Service of alcoholic beverages at concessions will begin no earlier than 90 minutes prior to events at Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium and 60 minutes prior to events at Island Federal Credit Union Arena. Alcohol sales will conclude at the start of the 4th quarter for football and women's basketball. Service will conclude at the 12-minute media timeout in the second half for men's basketball.

  • Enterprise Risk Management is responsible for establishing application procedures and enforcing guidelines under which alcohol may be served at any University event. The provision (ordering, distribution or service) of alcohol at an event may only be done by a caterer licensed to serve alcohol or pursuant to an SLA Permit, in accordance with University policy and Enterprise Risk Management guidelines. See "Request for Approval to Serve Alcohol at a Campus Event" provided at the end of this policy.

 

  • The undergraduate Student Activity Fee or associated revenues generated from this fee may not be used to purchase alcohol or related services for student programs, on or off campus.

 

  • Standard identification procedures are required at all campus functions and at establishments where alcoholic beverages are available. Acceptable forms of identification include:
    1. Valid U.S. or international passport
    2. Valid driver's license
    3. Valid NYS non-driver's ID
    4. Selective service registration card
    5. Resident Alien identification card

 

An individual must produce identification each time they request an alcoholic beverage or enters the alcohol service area. University staff may spot check the legal age of any persons in the area of consumption. The use of false identification is prohibited. All false IDs will be confiscated and a disciplinary referral will be made.

 

  • Bartenders, managers, supervisors and ID checkers at events and locations where alcohol is served may refuse entry or service in their sole reasonable discretion.

 

  • All bartenders, managers, supervisors and ID checkers at events and locations where alcohol is served shall be trained in the acceptable standards of practice for serving alcohol at concessions. Whenever possible, that training shall be TIPS (Training for Intervention Procedures by Servers of Alcohol) or a comparable program.

 

2. Specific Procedures for Licensed Facilities

In addition to the provisions set forth in Part A, service of alcohol in any licensed on-campus facility or at any University event is subject to the following requirements:

  1. For events where there is a common event space, alcohol consumption shall be confined to a designated alcohol service area.
  2. A professional event coordinator/manager shall oversee all activities involving alcohol.
  3. For each campus event at which alcohol may be served, Enterprise Risk Management shall determine whether uniformed police officers or trained security staff should be in attendance.
  4. Last call will take place one hour before closing. Service of alcohol shall cease 15 minutes after last call during general operating hours.
  5. All campus establishments serving alcohol shall conform to "last call" building closing hours and food/snack and non-alcoholic beverage requirements.

 

 

 

3. Specific Procedures for Temporarily Licensed Facilities

  1. In addition to an SLA Permit, any person, group or entity wishing to serve alcohol anywhere on campus must first obtain permission from the University. The Request for Approval to Serve Alcohol at a Campus Event form must be completed in a timely manner and submitted to Enterprise Risk Management for review and decision.
  2. The coordinator of any event held in a campus facility at which alcohol may be served shall file the Request for Approval to Serve Alcohol at a Campus Event form with Enterprise Risk Management at least five weeks before the event is to take place. The SLA Permit shall be obtained at least one week before the event is to take place.
  3. Sponsors of student events held in any campus facility at which alcohol may be served shall file the application for permission with the designated University office at least five weeks before the event is to take place. The SLA Permit shall be obtained at least one week before the event is to take place. Only Stony Brook students and their guests may be in attendance.
  4. The SLA Permit must be displayed prominently throughout the event.

 

Definitions:

None

 

Contact:

Additional information about this policy is available here:

Amanda Alicea

Chief of Staff and Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives

Division of Enterprise Risk Management

180 Administration Building

Stony Brook, NY 11790

(631) 632-9572

alcohol_request@stonybrook.edu

 

Relevant Standards, Codes, Rules, Regulations, Statutes and Policies: