Alcoholic Beverages

I. Purpose

This Policy governs the service, possession, consumption, and sale of alcoholic beverages on the UNC Charlotte Campus. The service, possession, consumption, and sale of Alcoholic Beverages are regulated by North Carolina General Statutes, City of Charlotte Code of Ordinances, and UNC Charlotte Policies.  All members of the University community are obligated to obey these laws, policies, and ordinances.

The purpose of this Policy is to encourage prudent and safe use of Alcoholic Beverages in compliance with State laws and University Policies, in keeping with the principles of respectful behavior and civility.

II. Definitions

As used in this policy, certain terms are defined as follows:

1. Academic Buildings: Any building in which classes are regularly scheduled, including general use classrooms, laboratories, and related space designed for instructional purposes.
2. Alcoholic Beverage: Any beverage containing at least one half of one percent (0.5%) of alcohol by volume. For the purposes of this policy Alcoholic Beverages shall include Beer, Wine, Unfortified Wine, Fortified Wine, and Spirituous Liquor.
3. Approving Authority:

4. Authorized Representative: A member of the Host group or organization authorized to make decisions for that group or organization.
5. Beer and Unfortified Wine: As defined in N.C. General Statute 18B-101.
6. BYO or “Bring Your Own” Event: An event, other than Tailgating, at which an invitee may carry in Beer or Unfortified Wine for personal consumption; no other Alcoholic Beverage is permitted at a BYO Event.
7. Campus: All property owned or leased by UNC Charlotte, with the exception of the Chancellor’s residence.
8. Common Source Containers: Kegs and similar containers of Alcoholic Beverages.
9. Fortified Wine, Spirituous Liquor, and Mixed Beverages: As defined in N.C. General Statute 18B-101.
10. Group Event: An event on Campus sponsored by a University Group, Non-University Group, Sponsored Non-University Group, or Student Organization as those groups are defined in University Policy 601.6, Scheduling University Facilities. Group Events include Service Events and BYO Events. Group Events do not include Tailgating authorized under University Policy 718.
11. Host: A University Group, Non-University Group, Sponsored Non-University Group, or Student Organization responsible for the planning and execution of a Group Event.
12. Responsible Person: A person present at a Group Event or Sales Event designated to ensure compliance with this Policy and all additional related UNC Charlotte policies and regulations, state laws, and city codes.
13. Sale:  Any transfer, trade, exchange, or barter, in any manner or by any means, for consideration. Sale is broadly interpreted by law enforcement authorities to include such practices as:
    1. charging admission to events where Alcoholic Beverages are served,
    2. requiring the purchase of tickets for events where Alcoholic Beverages are served, or
    3. requiring donations or other exchanges in order to receive Alcoholic Beverages.

Such exchanges are viewed as indirect payment for Alcoholic Beverages and are, therefore, illegal on the University Campus, except as provided under N.C.G.S. 18B-1006(a). (See Appendix B, Sales Events.)

As a limited exception to this definition, the service of Alcoholic Beverages at a single fundraising event hosted by the University or a non-profit organization at which there is a fee charged to attend the event shall not be construed as a Sale, provided (1) there is no separate charge for the Alcoholic Beverages that are served, and (2) a Special One-Time Permit is issued by the ABC Commission for the service of Alcoholic Beverages at the event (see NCGS 18B-1002(a)(5) and permit application). 

A University-sponsored or non-profit organization wine or malt beverage tasting event or other event held for fundraising purposes at which unopened bottles may be sold pursuant to a permit issued by the ABC Commission also shall not be considered a Sale under this Policy.

14. Service Event: A Service Event is an event sponsored by the University or a University Group, Non-University Group, Sponsored Non-University Group, or Student Organization at which Alcoholic Beverages are provided to invitees by the event sponsor. Service Events, as described in Section VII below, include:
    1. Traditional Service Event: Alcoholic Beverages are purchased and served by the University’s food service vendor for an event hosted by a University Group, Non-University Group, Sponsored Non-University Group, or Student Organization.
    2. Served Event: Alcoholic Beverages are purchased by a University Group or Student Organization and served by the University’s food service vendor.
    3. Self-Service Event: Alcoholic Beverages are purchased and served by a University Group. Student Organizations and Non-University Groups are not permitted to host Self-Service Events.
15. Tailgating: A gathering of Patrons outdoors that typically occurs around a vehicle or in a parking lot or parking deck, which may include consuming food and beverages, including Alcoholic Beverages, at an approved, designated area during approved times before or after official UNC Charlotte intercollegiate athletic events. See University Policy 718, Tailgating.
16. University Group; Non-University Group; Sponsored Non-University Group; Student Organization: The definitions for University Group, Non-University Group, Sponsored Non-University Group, and Student Organization for the purposes of this Policy are those established in University Policy 601.6, Use of University Space. 

III. Applicable Laws

This Policy is intended to be consistent with North Carolina laws governing the use and possession of Alcoholic Beverages on Campus. Such laws include age, possession, consumption, transportation, and sales restrictions. See N.C. General Statute Chapter 18B.

The specific laws cited in Appendix A are directly pertinent to this Policy, but that list is not exhaustive. Compliance with all applicable North Carolina laws concerning Alcoholic Beverages, whether or not cited in Appendix A, is required on the UNC Charlotte Campus.

IV. Coverage and Jurisdiction

This Policy applies to any person who possesses or consumes Alcoholic Beverages on the University Campus.

V. Possession and Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages

1. Permitted Alcoholic Beverages

Beer and Unfortified Wine are the only Alcoholic Beverages permitted on the Campus, unless specifically permitted under Section V.B below.

2. Spirituous Liquor, Fortified Wine, and Mixed Beverages
   1. Locations and Occasions: Other than by individuals in their own private Campus residence rooms, possession and consumption of Spirituous Liquor, Fortified Wine, or Mixed Beverages are permitted on Campus only on such occasions and in such locations as the Approving Authority, through the Conference, Reservations and Events Services (CRES) Office, designates in writing.
   2. Service: Only the University’s contracted food service vendor is permitted to serve Spirituous Liquor, Fortified Wine, or Mixed Beverages at events where those beverages are provided.  At any such Service Event, a Limited Special Occasion Permit issued by the North Carolina ABC must be obtained by the host of the event and must be displayed at the event. See Section VI.B below.
   3. Sale: Only the University’s contracted food service vendor is permitted to serve Beer, Wine, Fortified Wine, Spirituous Liquor, or Mixed Beverages at events where those beverages are sold. At any such Sales Event, a Special One-Time Permit issued by the North Carolina ABC must be obtained by the non-profit hosting the event and must be displayed at the event. (See Appendix B, Sales Events.)

3. Ticketed Fundraising Events: The University or a non-profit organization hosting a fundraising event at which there is a fee charged to attend the event may serve Beer, Wine, Fortified Wine, Spirituous Liquor, or Mixed Beverages so long as (1) there is no separate charge for the Alcoholic Beverages that are served, and (2) a Special One-Time Permit is issued by the ABC Commission for the service of Alcoholic
4. Consumption

The consumption of Alcoholic Beverages is permitted on Campus only at Group Events, during Tailgating (see University Policy 718, Tailgating), and by individuals in their own private Campus residence rooms.

5. Purchase of Alcoholic Beverages

The purchase of Alcoholic Beverages with student fees or State-appropriated or Federal funds is prohibited.

6. Limitation on Common Source Containers

Common Source Containers are prohibited unless served by the University’s contracted food service vendor. Common Source Containers are prohibited within any Campus residence building.

VI. Group Events

As indicated in Section II above, a Group Event is an event on Campus sponsored by a University Group, Non-University Group, Sponsored Non-University Group, or Student Organization as those groups are defined in University Policy 601.6, Scheduling University Facilities. Group Events include Service Events and BYO Events.

A. Procedures and General Requirements for Group Events

1. The only Group Events at which Alcoholic Beverages may be consumed on the Campus are Service Events and BYO Events.
2. The only Group Events at which Student Organizations may possess or consume Alcoholic Beverages are Traditional Service Events or Served Events. 
3. Alcoholic Beverages are permitted at Group Events only if:
   1. A space reservation has been approved in advance; and
   2. Individuals responsible for the Group Event complete the appropriate “Acknowledgment of Responsibility for Service or Sale of Alcoholic Beverages” form and submit it to the appropriate Approving Authority (see Section II above).
4. Space Reservation: The reservation of University space for a Group Event must meet all requirements of University Policy 601.6, Scheduling University Facilities.
5. Responsible Person. A Responsible Person must be present at the Group Event to ensure compliance with this Policy and all related UNC Charlotte policies and regulations, state laws, and city codes.
6. Locations: Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages at a Group Event is limited to the location at which the Event is approved.
7. Invitees Only. Attendance at a Group Event is limited to those specifically invited and their guests accompanying them.
8. Invitations. Invitations related to a Service Event must not suggest endorsement of alcohol consumption or encourage excessive drinking. For BYO Events, simple references like “BYO” or “BYOB” are permitted in invitations.
9. Purchase and Transportation. State law regarding purchase and transportation of Alcoholic Beverages at a Group Event must be observed.
10. Sales. No Sale of any Alcoholic Beverage will be permitted at a Group Event except at a Sales Event, under Section VII.
11. Intoxicated Persons. Persons who are noticeably intoxicated will not be admitted to the event. If a person becomes noticeably intoxicated at the event, they will not be served any Alcoholic Beverage and may be asked to leave the event and/or facility.

B. Service Events

1. Service Events include the following:
   1. Traditional Service Event: Alcoholic Beverages are purchased and served by the University’s food service vendor for an event hosted by a University Group, Non-University Group, Sponsored Non-University Group, or Student Organization.
   2. Served Event: Alcoholic Beverages are purchased by a University Group or Student Organization and served by the University’s food service vendor.
   3. Self-Service Event: Alcoholic Beverages are purchased and served by a University Group. Student Organizations and Non-University Groups are not permitted to host Self-Service Events.

2. Requirements

In addition to the requirements in Section A above, each of the following requirements must be observed at a Service Event:

1. Hosting. A Service Event may be hosted by a University Group, Non-University Group, Sponsored Non-University Group, or Student Organization.
2. Bartenders: Bartenders must be provided by the University’s contracted food service vendor.
3. Proof of Age. No person under the age of 21 years will be served or allowed to possess or consume Alcoholic Beverages.
4. Alcohol Amounts. The maximum amounts of Beer or Unfortified Wine permitted at the event are:
   1. 1 keg or 7 cases (12 oz.) of Beer per 50 persons estimated attendance, or
   2. 3 liters of Unfortified Wine per 10 persons estimated attendance, or
   3. a proportionate combination of Beer and Unfortified Wine.
5. Food and Other Beverages. Food items must be provided, proportionate to attendance. Non-alcoholic beverages will be available at the same place as Alcoholic Beverages and featured as prominently as the Alcoholic Beverages.
6. BYO Not Permitted. Persons attending a Service Event will not be permitted to carry in or self-serve Alcoholic Beverages.
7. Scheduling and Service Period. Service Events must be scheduled no earlier than 4pm on University business days, unless an exception is approved by the Chancellor through the “Service Event Exception Request Form.” With the exception of Tailgating as authorized under University Policy 718, Tailgating, the period during which Alcoholic Beverages are served at a Service Event on Campus may not exceed two hours, provided, however, that the Approving Authority may, in their sole discretion, grant an exception to this time limit upon written request and justification.
8. Spirituous Liquor, Fortified Wine, or Mixed Beverages. Groups wishing to serve Spirituous Liquor, Fortified Wine, or Mixed Beverages on the University Campus at a Service Event (see Section VI.B.1 above) must:
   1. obtain a Limited Special Occasion Permit from the North Carolina ABC;
   2. complete an “Acknowledgment of Responsibility for Service or Sale of Alcoholic Beverages” form;
   3. complete a “Service Event Exception Request Form“; and
   4. submit both forms to the appropriate Approving Authority.

As indicated in Section V.B.2 above, only the University’s contracted food service vendor is permitted to serve Spirituous Liquor, Fortified Wine, or Mixed Beverages at events where those beverages are provided, and a Limited Special Occasion Permit issued by the North Carolina ABC must be displayed.

C. BYO Event Requirements

In addition to the requirements in Section VI.A above, each of the following requirements must be observed at a BYO Event:

1. Hosting: BYO Events may be hosted only by University Groups.
2. Attendance: No more than thirty (30) persons may attend a BYO Event.
3. ID Cards. The Responsible Person(s) will check identification cards at the entrance to the event. Only those persons who are aged 21 or over will be permitted to carry in or to consume Beer or Unfortified Wine. Such persons will be provided a hand stamp, I.D. bracelet, or tag to assist in monitoring consumption.
4. Beer and Unfortified Wine Only. The Responsible Person(s) will ensure that no Alcoholic Beverages except Beer or Unfortified Wine are permitted at the event.
5. Acknowledgment of Responsibility. The BYO Event host must sign an “Acknowledgment of Responsibility for Service or Sale of Alcoholic Beverages” form, which must be in the possession of the Responsible Person(s) at the event at all times.

The BYO Event requirements set forth in this Section VI.C do not apply to Tailgating. The rules governing Tailgating are set forth in University Policy 718, Tailgating.

VII. Sales Events

Sales Events are events on Campus at which the Sale (as defined in Section II above) of Alcoholic Beverages is permitted, subject to the requirements regarding Hosts, Responsible Persons, campus locations, alcohol permits, food service, limitations, and approval, which are detailed in Appendix B, Sales Events.

Related Resources

• NC General Statutes, Chapter 18B
• Appendix A, Applicable State Laws
• Appendix B, Sales Events
• Acknowledgment of Responsibility for Service or Sale of Alcoholic Beverages
• Service Event Exception Request Form
• University Policy 718, Tailgating
• University Policy 601.6, Use of University Space 
• University Policy 709, Food Service Policy
• City of Charlotte Code of Ordinances

Authority

Chancellor

Policy Revisions