Having a good time shouldn’t put your future in jeopardy. Follow these five steps to avoid problems.
| 1. | Make a plan, follow the plan, and let others know the plan. |
- How many guests do you want to attend?
- What types of food and non-alcoholic beverages will you provide?
- What do you want to do together?
- What problems do you want to avoid?
- What will make the event a success in your mind?
| 2. | If alcohol will be present, control it. |
Having someone behind the bar, whether it’s a third-party vendor/bartender or someone who is at least 21, helps you control the amount people drink and keep it to individuals above the age of 21.
Remember, that your Recognized Student Organization (RSO), sport club, fraternity or sorority cannot purchase alcohol with organization funds. This includes any funds serviced through Student Organization Financial Services (SOFS).
| 3. | Make the party about more than getting drunk. |
What do you want to do together — Get to know new people? Have good conversations? Tell each stories? Dance? There are endless possibilities; you just need a little planning and some creativity.
| 4. | Have sober party/event monitors and empower them to take care of problems. |
You need one or more individuals who will step in to stop a disaster from happening and look out for guests.
| 5. | Be proactive with the police and other authorities. |
If problems at the party lead to citations, you may be contacted for violating the Student Code of Conduct.
If your RSO, sport club, fraternity or sorority may be implicated, the organization’s president should contact staff in Student Involvement, Campus Recreation - Sport Clubs, or the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life to proactively provide information.
When cups litter the lawn, cars block driveways or the street, and shrubbery becomes a toilet, it’s gone way too far.
