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Office of Legal Counsel and Compliance

Procedure for Alcohol Policy (1000)

Effective Date: N/A

Policy Page

UM has established procedures for obtaining the approval of the President or President’s designee for University-sponsored events where alcohol will be available. Before any alcoholic beverage may be served at any University-sponsored event, prior administrative approval must be obtained. It is the Event Sponsor’s responsibility to make sure approval is obtained prior to the event. Contact UM Catering Services to initiate the Presidential approval process; catering services, and facilities scheduling; and/or arranging services of the UM-contracted licensed alcohol vendor.

Approval Process

The approval process for all events involving alcohol held on Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ property and all University events off campus must originate with University Catering. University Catering will provide information about policies, laws, and the procedures to initiate the Presidential approval process.

University Catering can be contacted at 406-243-4899.

The Alcohol Approval Forms can be found here:

University or Community Events On Campus

All events held on-campus require prior administrative approval.

  1. The sale or service of alcoholic beverages at any event on campus requires the use of the licensed alcohol vendor under exclusive contract to the University and to comply with all rules for such use. Contact University Catering at 243-4899 to arrange.
  2. Community groups wishing to rent University facilities for an event that includes the sale (cash bar) or service (hosted bar) of alcohol must contact University Catering to initiate the approval process and to arrange for the University’s exclusive alcohol vendor.
  3. If the service of alcoholic beverages is approved, the Event Sponsor or community group will be responsible for paying for all security as solely determined by the Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ Police Department.

University Events Off Campus

Off-campus events require both prior administrative approval and satisfactory evidence of alcohol liability insurance for the event.

  1. University-sponsored events taking place off-campus where alcoholic beverages will be available must use the services of a licensed alcohol vendor. The University requires the off-campus licensed vendor to name the Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ as an additional insured for the event plus provide a policy endorsement from the alcohol vendor’s liability insurance carrier. Please contact the UM Risk Management at 243-2700 for assistance.
  2. Alternatively, if the University-sponsored event takes place at an off-campus venue where no licensed alcohol vendor is available, the Event Sponsor must purchase an event-specific alcohol liability policy for the event and arrange for alcohol to be served by servers trained in the responsible service of alcohol. Contact Risk Management at 243-2700 for assistance in obtaining the special event liability policy and in locating suitable server training courses offered by the Montana Department of Revenue.
  3. UM Property Not Contiguous to Mountain Campus. While the Flathead Lake Biological Station and Lubrecht Experimental Forest are technically considered “campus” properties, the campus community often thinks of these properties to be “off-campus” because the properties are not contiguous to the Mountain Campus. University-sponsored events taking place at these sites must adhere to the University’s alcohol policy and the Event Sponsor must have an approved Alcohol Use Application prior to the event taking place. Event Sponsors have the option of using the University’s contracted alcohol vendor or contracting with another licensed alcohol vendor to provide alcohol. The Event Sponsor has a third alternative of purchasing and serving alcohol themselves by adhering to the following protocol: Event Sponsor must submit an Alcohol Use Application prior to the event complete with a responsible risk management plan, copy of the special event liability policy purchased from the UM Office of Risk Management, and the identity of a sufficient number of servers certified to serve alcohol and evidence of such training attached to the Alcohol Use Application.
  4. Blanket Alcohol Use Applications. The Provost has approved the use of a blanket alcohol approval form for academic departments under the following limited circumstances: for UM- related donor relations or recruitment activities taking place at alcohol-licensed establishments where the Academic Officer is present and the total group size is limited to 10 or fewer persons. To create a blanket authorization, please submit an Alcohol Use Application specifying that it is for the academic year, and list the criteria noted in this section.

Additional Requirements for Specific Groups or Venues

Residence Halls, University Villages, and Lewis & Clark Village

  1. Use of alcohol in student living facilities must comply with all relevant policies established by the Office of Residence Life.
  2. Alcoholic beverages may not be consumed in hallways, lounges, utility rooms, or other public areas of residence halls.
  3. Keggers and parties involving large amounts of alcoholic beverages, as determined by residence hall policy, are prohibited in student's rooms and in individual Village units.
  4. Incidents or violations involving Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ will be adjudicated by the Office of Residence Life or the Dean of Students in accordance with the UM Student Conduct Code. University disciplinary action will be considered and imposed as appropriate.

Fraternities and Sororities

The possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages at all fraternity and sorority houses and functions – on or off campus - must conform to all applicable Board of Regents and the Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ policies, the Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ Fraternity and Sorority Mutual Relationship Agreement, the organization’s national chapter policies, local ordinances, and state laws.

  1. Consumption of alcohol at recruitment functions is prohibited.
  2. Open parties, meaning those with unrestricted access, which involve the consumption of alcohol, are prohibited.
  3. Planned social functions at a fraternity house at which alcohol is served must be registered with the Assistant Director of Fraternity and Sorority Involvement not less than three (3) days prior to the event.
  4. The Event Sponsor shall be responsible for assuring the event is in compliance. Members of legal drinking age may store and consume alcoholic beverages in the privacy of their own rooms in accordance with individual chapter policies.
  5. Incidents or violations involving Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ may be forwarded to the Dean of Students Office for disciplinary action and may be adjudicated in accordance with the UM Student Conduct Code and the UM Fraternity and Sorority Mutual Relationship Agreement.

ASUM and Other University Student Groups

All organized student groups assembled independently or on behalf of the Ñý¼§Ö±²¥, whether or not the groups are registered with ASUM, are subject to university policies and state law governing the service or consumption of alcohol at its events.

  1. Alcohol-free events should be promoted. Service or the sale of alcohol at a University Student Group/Organization sponsored event should be the exception and not the norm.
  2. Any on-campus or off-campus event organized and/or sponsored by a student organization or ASUM and at which alcohol will be served shall be subject to the requirements of this policy. The Event Sponsor is responsible for assuring the event is in compliance.
  3. Alcoholic beverages may not be awarded as prizes.
  4. Violations of University alcohol regulations are also violations of the Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ Student Conduct Code. Violators are subject to disciplinary action pursuant to the Code.

The University, including ASUM, may deny privileges to a student organization or impose other sanctions for alcohol violations.

Stadium and Sports Facilities

  1. No alcohol will be allowed in Washington Grizzly Stadium or the Adams Center except in the rented suites, Canyon Club, and Sky Club and as authorized by the President or designee.
  2. All requests for hosted functions in sports facilities, whether a UM entity or an outside organization, will conform to all applicable UM policies and guidelines.
  3. Alcohol Concessions (Concerts): Concession sales of alcoholic beverages will be contracted by UM to its contracted alcohol vendor. Operations are subject to UM policies and state laws. The President has delegated the approval of alcohol for concession sales in the Adams Center to the Director of the Adams Center and the UM Police Department.

Tailgating

Tailgating is restricted to UM football games and other approved events. The President has delegated the approval of alcohol for tailgates to the UM Athletic Director. Private tailgate parties outside of Washington Grizzly Stadium (WGS) and Suites in WGS for events, where alcoholic beverages are brought in by private individuals for their personal consumption must follow all applicable University Tailgate policies and procedures.

See the tailgating website: