RICE ALCOHOL POLICY
POLICY GUIDELINES & EVENT REGULATIONS
TABLE
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CONTENTS
Key Points From the Policy
Behaviors of Concern
Important Terms
Rules for Hard Alcohol
Event Planning (Public Events)
Event Planning (Private Events)
Additional Resources
KEY POINTS FROM
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THE
POLICY
It is illegal and against Rice Policy to drink if you are under 21.
Public events (in public spaces, sponsored by college funds, or public in
spirit) must be registered with Student Judicial Programs.
Private events with 6 or more attendees must be registered with the
college Chief Justice (CJ).
No hard alcohol is allowed in rooms/suites with residents under 21.
Serving hard alcohol is always banned in private spaces.
Consumption of hard alcohol is prohibited in the presence of students
under 21 and during Beer Bike, nights of large public parties, movein/out weekends, OWL days, and VISION weekends.
If someone needs help or becomes too intoxicated, call REMS (x6000).
Both the person of concern and the caller will receive amnesty for any
drug or alcohol use proceeding the call.
BEHAVIORS
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CONCERN
The following behaviors are extremely dangerous and will involve
serious sanctions:
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Failure to call REMS or RUPD when faced with an alcohol or drug related
emergency
Providing alcohol to perspective students under 21
Providing hard alcohol to students under 21
Driving while intoxicated
Dangerous drinking games (esp. games involving hard alcohol)
Coercive or hazing activities involving pressure to consume alcohol
Taking sexual advantage of anyone clearly too intoxicated to provide consent
The extent to which students take measures to increase student
safety at their events will be considered when determining sanctions.
IMPORTANT TERMS
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Hard Alcohol
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Hard alcohol includes all alcoholic beverages except beer, wine, champagne, and premade alcoholic drinks not made from distilled spirits; the alcohol content of these
beverages must be below 22%.
Distilled spirits are always considered hard alcohol.
Grain alcohol is always prohibited on campus.
Amnesty
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If a student becomes dangerously intoxicated, you should contact REMS.
Neither the impaired student or the student calling for assistance will face disciplinary
action for the possession, use, or provision of alcohol (see exception below) or the
possession or use of other drugs.
Amnesty does NOT apply to other prohibited conduct including:
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Assault / violence
Property damage
Provision of hard alcohol to underage persons or distribution of dangerous
substances (whether legal or illegal)
Belligerence towards REMS or RUPD
IMPORTANT TERMS
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Public Events
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In public areas of the university (i.e. not inside rooms/suites) or
Sponsored with university funds or
Publicly advertised (including advertising via social media)
All public events must be registered with SJP
Private Gatherings (with alcohol)
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Must be contained within student rooms/suites
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No one can leave with alcohol
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No overflow to public areas (i.e. hallways) and no propping doors open
Must be registered with the CJ 24 hours in advance if 6 or more students attend
Must be limited to 6 times the number of residents of the host room/suite (i.e. 2
residents may host 10 guests for a total of 12 attendees)
RULES
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HARD ALCOHOL
Hard alcohol is NOT allowed in rooms or suites with residents under 21.
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If all residents are 21 or older, no more than 2 liters of hard alcohol is allowed in a
suite or room (if not part of a suite) and the alcohol must be less than 50% by
volume.
Drinking hard alcohol is NEVER allowed in the presence of students under 21.
The Alcohol Policy makes a distinction between consumption of hard
alcohol and providing hard alcohol to others within rooms/suites.
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Serving or providing hard alcohol (or mixed drinks made with hard alcohol) to others
is always prohibited in gatherings in rooms/suites.
Consumption of hard alcohol in rooms/suites is permissible as long as:
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Everyone in attendance is 21 or older
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The number of students present is less than 6
RULES
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HARD ALCOHOL
Hard alcohol is not allowed in public events unless:
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Everyone attending the event is over 21
The event is in a public, enclosed, and approved location
The event meets all other SJP requirements
Consumption of hard alcohol is banned:
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The day of Beer Bike
The nights of large public parties
Move-in weekend each fall
Vision weekend and OWL Days each spring
In the presence of students below 21 years of age
In private gatherings of 6 or more students
EVENT PLANNING (PUBLIC EVENTS)
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Hosts
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Servers
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Must pass Alcohol Policy test on SJP website (good for 1 academic year)
Must be at least 18 years old
Security
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Register events with SJP and take responsibility for ensuring the event complies with
state law and Rice policies
Remain present throughout the entire event
Prevent unauthorized persons from going behind the bar or causing a disturbance
Ensure that alcohol is not brought into or removed from the event
Ensure that intoxicated persons are not allowed into the event or allowed to stay
Caregivers
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Provide basic care and support to intoxicated students
Contact REMS if a student needs additional care
EVENT PLANNING (PUBLIC EVENTS)
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Alcohol service
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Student identification
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One drink at a time
Alcohol served in clear or original containers
Restricted access to the alcohol and bar area
IDs checked at point of service
Unused alcohol should be disposed of, given to the Master’s (for college events), or
kept by the organization for later use.
Wristbands must be distributed at events.
To verify age, students must provide a Texas driver’s license (DL), out of state DL with
OWL sticker, or DPS ID card.
Food and non-alcoholic beverages must be present throughout events.
Advertising may not focus on alcohol.
Alcohol licenses/permits are required for events involving alcohol that
charge admission or fees.
EVENT PLANNING (PRIVATE EVENTS)
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Events with 6 or more students must be registered with the CJ (or the CJ’s
designee) at least 24 hours in advance
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Hosts should provide the CJ with the:
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Type and amount of alcohol to be served
Number of guests
Time, location, and duration of the event
Names of the hosts
Food and non-alcoholic beverages to be served
Proof of approval by the host’s roommates/suitemates
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Students on disciplinary probation may not act as hosts
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Hosts must be present for the entire event and will be held responsible for the
behavior of their guests
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Total attendees must be no more than 6 times the number of residents
assigned to the host room or suite
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
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Additional information about submitting event forms to SJP can be found
on the SJP website under the “Event Guidelines” link.
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A complete guide to the requirements and regulations regarding alcohol
and events on campus may be found in the Rice Alcohol Policy.
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Questions about the Alcohol Policy can be answered by your college Chief
Justice or SJP (x4786).
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Large, public events should also be coordinated with the assistance of
college personnel, RUPD, and REMS.