Guide for the Service of Alcohol on the SMU Campus

Message from the President | Background | Policy | Guidelines | Alcohol Approval Request Form

Message from the President

Dear Members of the SMU Community:

The United Methodist heritage that guides our University provides us with strong values of civic responsibility and concern for the welfare of our students. In keeping with the principles and values expressed by SMU's founders, we aim to provide the best possible environment for learning and enrichment, not only among our students, but also among members of the community who gather at SMU for special events. Toward this end, I urge all members of the SMU community to consider the presence of alcoholic beverages on campus with responsibility, prudence, and moderation.

The Purpose of this Guide for Service of Alcohol on the Southern Methodist University Campus is to provide you with the policies and procedures for serving alcohol at SMU as well as background information as to why our particular policies, in addition to state laws governing alcohol, exist.

I encourage you to read this guide thoroughly prior to submitting a request for approval to serve alcohol on-campus. Please direct any questions related to this Guide to Dr. Lori White, Vice President for Student Affairs at lswhite@smu.edu.

Sincerely,

R. Gerald Turner
President

Background

It is the policy of the University to endorse the United Methodist Church's position of abstinence from the use of alcohol, realizing that this recommendation of abstinence is not a new legalism nor a moralistic prohibition but a matter of conscience and personal discipline (The Book of Resolutions, page 162). (University Policy 9.35)  In conscience and recognition of the University's heritage, it has urged all community members to consider alcoholic beverages with responsibility, prudence, and moderation. (University Policy 9.33)

Southern Methodist University is a community which espouses the value and worth of persons in an environment of free and open inquiry and expression, it is recognized that mature individuals must be free to follow their own conscience regarding the use of alcoholic beverages. (University Policy 9.33) The University recognizes the freedom of conscience that determines such issues, but cautions that such freedom does not imply license to violate the law or University policy. (Student Code of Conduct section 3.01)

The University is dedicated to providing a healthy, safe, comfortable, and productive environment for students, faculty, staff, and guests. All members of the University community are expected to maintain self-control and to uphold their dignity and that of the University at all times. Conduct should be consistent with ideals of excellence of mind, healthy bodies, and responsible social behavior, including recognition of the rights of others. (Student Code of Conduct section 3.01)  Intoxication and alcohol abuse contradict the spirit of the University and community and will not be tolerated.  In recognition of this fact, the University reserves the right to initiate disciplinary action when individuals and groups neglect or abdicate their responsibility. (University Policy 9.33)

SMU is located within the city of University Park, Texas, which is a “dry” area. By statute, dry area means it is illegal to sell alcoholic beverages in University Park. In addition, transportation and/or possession of more that 24 12-ounce bottles of beer or more than one quart of hard liquor, is considered prima facie evidence of intent to sell, and, therefore, evidence that the law has been violated. Alcoholic beverages that are transported into a dry area may not be transported back out of the dry area. (Student Code of Conduct section 3.01(e))

Policy

The possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited on University property, except where expressly permitted. (University Policy 9.33) The Vice President of Student Affairs is granted the authority to permit the service of alcohol under the certain circumstances, on University property.  Request for the service of alcohol must be submitted at least 30 days in advance of the event to the office of the Vice president of Student Affairs.

All members of the University community should at all times be cognizant of and comply with state and local liquor laws. It is illegal in the state of Texas and against University policy for any person under the age of twenty-one (21) to possess, purchase, or consume alcoholic beverages, except when with either a parent or adult spouse.  Provision of alcohol to minors, other than where the law provides, is also prohibited. (Student Code of Conduct section 3.01(a))

The University expects that each individual and group within the University community will obey these laws. Failure to do so subjects the offender(s) to the possibility of University disciplinary process and/or action by civil authorities. (University Policy 9.33)

The possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages in public places on campus is prohibited, with the exception of “The Boulevard” on home football game days, at times to be designated by the University President, for those persons twenty-one years of age or older. The definition of public places includes, but is not limited to, any outdoor area, cafeteria, lobby, hallway, lounge, study area, or restroom of on-campus buildings, Greek housing, and University properties. (Student Code of Conduct section 3.01(b))

Alcoholic beverages may not be served in buildings, rooms, or other areas on campus where students, not attending the sponsored event, may be present. 

The University prohibits the possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages on campus, with the exception of individual residential rooms of persons 21 year of age or older. (Student Code of Conduct section 3.01(c)

Kegs, containing or having contained alcohol, including, but not limited to, 1/2 kegs, party balls or pony kegs, are not permitted anywhere on campus, including University owned property and streets surrounded by University owned property. (Student Code of Conduct section 3.01(d)))

Guidelines

The following guidelines will apply for the service of alcohol on campus.

For SMU Events Being Charged to a University Account Number:

  • Written permission must be obtained in advance from the Vice President of Student Affairs by SMU Catering for the service of alcohol on campus.  Service of alcohol is limited to beer, wine and sparkling wine.
  • SMU Catering orders alcohol from a source where an account has been established and transport the alcohol to campus.  The University is invoiced and the department hosting the event is charged by accounting.
  • The Department hosting the event may purchase alcohol from another source but the department is responsible for payment, transporting the alcohol to campus and delivering it to SMU Catering for service.
  • The final billing from SMU Catering will reflect a fee for service of alcohol, not for the actual alcohol.
  • Cash bars and ticket sales are not allowed and alcohol cannot be included in the ticket price for the event.
  • No open containers of alcohol can leave the premises.
  • Unopened containers of alcohol will be placed in storage by SMU Catering and the account of the department hosting the event will be credited.
  • A sufficient amount of non-salty foods and non-alcoholic beverages must be served at events that alcohol is served.  The amount of food and non-alcoholic beverage must be in proportion to the expected attendance
  • In all cases, service of alcohol is limited to guests of legal drinking age (21) and receptions where alcohol is served are restricted to two (2) hours.
  • Any approved non campus caterer utilized by a department is required to follow the policies and procedures listed above. An approved caterer may not purchase or sell alcohol for an event. Alcohol must be purchased by the department hosting the event.
  • Should there be any questions or additional clarification needed, please contact: Julie Wiksten, Director of Auxiliary Services, 214-768-1909.

For Events Held at the Stadium Club:

  • Service of alcohol at the The Stadium Club includes only beer and wine.
  • The Manager of the Stadium Club orders alcohol necessary for the event
  • No alcohol of any kind may be bought into The Stadium Club unless ordered by the Manager from the established source. 
  • The members account hosting the event will be charged for alcohol.
  • Cash bars and ticket sales are not allowed and alcohol cannot be included in the ticket price for the event.
  • No alcohol may be removed from the premises.
  • A sufficient amount of non-salty foods and non-alcoholic beverages must be served at events that alcohol is served.  The amount of food and non-alcoholic beverage must be in proportion to the expected attendance
  • Non SMU Events (“patron”) held on campus (not taking place at the Stadium Club):
  • Only SMU Catering may service non SMU events held on campus, excluding those held in the Meadows Museum.
  • Written permission must be obtained in advance from the Vice President of Student Affairs from SMU Catering for the service of alcohol.  Service of Alcohol is limited to beer, wine and sparkling wine. 
  • The patron purchases the alcohol from a source of choice and delivers it to SMU Catering for services.
  • SMU Catering serves the alcohol during the event.  The final billing from SMU Catering will reflect a fee for services of alcohol.
  • Cash bars and ticket sales are not allowed and alcohol cannot be included in the ticket price for the event.
  • SMU sends all remaining alcohol home with patron at the conclusion of the event.
  • A sufficient amount of non-salty foods and non-alcoholic beverages must be served at events that alcohol is served.  The amount of food and non-alcoholic beverage must be in proportion to the expected attendance Non-salty foods in sufficient amount
  • In all instances the service of alcohol must take place in a designate area that can be sufficiently monitored and access controlled.
  • No function will be open to the campus community.  Events are considered closed events limited to specific individuals who can be identified by the sponsoring organization, department or patron.
  • The sponsoring organization, department and/or patron must designate two people who will be present throughout the time of the event.  The two designate people will be responsible for monitoring the event and responding to request from University officials.
  • The sponsoring organization, department and/or patron must conduct age verification of individual who wish to be served alcohol at the event.
  • The sponsoring organization, department and/or patron will provide proof of insurance to the office of Risk Management at least 7 business days before the event.  If proof of insurance is not provided, the sponsoring organization department and/or patron may arrange for insurance coverage through the office of Risk Management. 
  • The Vice President of Student Affairs in consultation with SMU Police may determine that a SMU Police Officer(s) must be present at the event. The sponsoring organization department and/or patron will be responsible for payment to the SMU Police department for the officer(s). 
  • It is illegal in the state of Texas and against University policy for any person, regardless of age, to be publicly intoxicated. Public Intoxication is defined as “a person commits an offense if the person appears in a public place while intoxicated to the degree that the person may endanger him or herself or another.”
  • Kegs, containing or having contained alcohol, including, but not limited to, 1/2 kegs, party balls or pony kegs, are not permitted anywhere on campus, including University owned property and streets surrounded by University owned property.
  • The sponsoring organization, department and/or patron will notify the Facility Manager where the event is taking place, the SMU Police Department and Office of Risk Management of the event.

Form

By clicking on the Alcohol Approval Request link below, you affirm that you have read and understand the policies and guidelines as outlined above.

Last revision - 21 Aug 2007