Law School Alcohol Policy

Below are questions that are frequently asked regarding the alcohol policy and whether a proposed event falls under it. If your question is not answered below, please send an email to the Office of Student Affairs. Click on the question to jump to the corresponding answer.

Frequently Asked Questions

• My organization is hosting a "bar night." Can I use University funds for the food?
• My organization is using money that we raised from a bake sale to pay for food and drinks at a bar night. Since no University funds are being spent, does the alcohol policy still apply?
• What events fall under this policy?
• Are there limits as to how long alcohol may be served?
• I am the president of ABC student organization. I plan to have an event at my house where beer and wine will be served. If no University funds will be spent at this event, does the alcohol policy apply?
• I am the Social Chair of XYZ student organization. Our next group meeting will be a dinner meeting at a local restaurant that also has alcohol available for purchase. Group funds are not being used; members will pay for their own dinners and drinks. Does the alcohol policy apply?
• Our organization would like to have a party outside in the Law Quadrangle where beer and wine will be available. Is this permissible?
• Our organization would like to sell alcohol at our annual fundraiser, which is held here at the Law School. Based on the price structure, we do not plan to make a profit. Is this permissible?
• How far in advance of the event do we need to submit our online registration?
• Why do you need to approve our ads?
• How many alcohol hosts will we need for our event?
• What happens if I violate this policy?

My organization is hosting a "bar night." Can I use University funds for the food?
Yes. Student organizations may use University funds to defray or subsidize the cost of the event. However, University dollars may not be used to pay for alcohol.

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My organization is using money that we raised from a bake sale to pay for food and drinks at "bar night." Since no University funds are being spent, does the alcohol policy still apply?
Student organization monies raised from any source or through any means that are used to subsidize an event is subject to this policy. The term "subsidized" as used here includes any "deals" or special discounts that are cut between a student organization sponsor and a licensed vendor.

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What events fall under this policy?
Some examples of events are student organization sponsored "bar nights, " the LSSS Faculty Wine & Cheese, the Butch Carpenter and Juan Luis Tienda Banquets, and the Jenny Runkles Ball.

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Are there limits as to how long alcohol may be served?
With respect to those events held at any location other than one of the six licensed facilities, alcohol service may not begin earlier than one (1) hour prior to food service and must not exceed four (4) hours.

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I am the president of ABC student organization. I plan to have an event at my house where beer and wine will be served. If no University funds will be spent at this event, does the alcohol policy apply?
No, since you are not using University monies to subsidize the event. However, you are encouraged and expected to observe basic principles of safety, health, and responsible behavior regarding the consumption of alcohol.

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I am the Social Chair of XYZ student organization. Our next group meeting will be a dinner meeting at a local restaurant that also has alcohol available for purchase. Group funds are not being used; members will pay for their own dinners and drinks. Does the alcohol policy apply?
No, as University funds are not being used to subsidize the event. However, you are encouraged and expected to observe basic principles of safety, health, and responsible behavior regarding the consumption of alcohol.

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Our organization would like to have a party outside in the Law Quadrangle where beer and wine will be available. Is this permissible?
No. Unfortunately, there is no way of controlling access to the event if it is held outside. Consequently, we do not approve outdoor events where alcohol is being served.

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Our organization would like to sell alcohol at our annual fundraiser which is held here at the Law School. Based on the price structure, we do not plan to make a profit. Is this permissible?
No. Absent a special license, no event at which alcohol is sold may occur on University premises, except for events held at one of the six licensed UM facilities (which does not include the Law School).

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How far in advance of the event do we need to submit our online registration?
Bar nights - 5 business days prior to the event.
Everything else - 21 days prior to the event.

Memorial Banquets (Butch Carpenter, Juan Luis Tienda, Jenny Runkles, etc.); Faculty Wine and Cheese; SFF Auction, etc.

* Advertising for these events must be approved prior to selling tickets.

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Why do you need to approve our ads?
Advertising cannot promote excessive drinking or irresponsible behavior. Unfortunately, in the past, unauthorized/inappropriate posters have been destroyed. This can be an expensive and time consuming mistake. It is best to have your posters approved before you make the investment.

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How many alcohol hosts will I need?
There must be at least 2 hosts at each event where alcohol is being served. For events with more than 50 people, 1 additional host is required for every 50 additional people in attendance.

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What happens if I violate this policy?
Violations of this policy by students or student organizations may lead to denial of funding from the Administration for events, a suspension of privileges under this policy, termination of alcohol hosting certification, or other action deemed necessary and appropriate. Also, violations may result in action being taken by the Law School pursuant to the Law School Standards of Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures, as well as Law School personnel guidelines and procedures.

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