Alcohol at a Recruitment Event
The presence of alcohol at all undergraduate student organizational activities determined to be a recruitment event is prohibited. The prohibition includes the use by of-age individuals at such an event or activity.
Alcohol at New Member Activities of Bid Nights
The presence of alcohol at all undergraduate student organizational activities determined by the University to be for the benefit of welcoming or educating new members is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, formal and informal new member education or onboarding, Bid Nights, initiation rituals, or ceremonies, or other activities related to new membership like "big-little" celebrations.
Evidence of High-Risk Alcohol Use
The risks posed from rapid consumption of alcohol necessitates additional corrective action when evidence of high-risk use exists. Evidence of high-risk use includes, but is not limited to, funnels, vaporizers, beer bongs, common containers, and the possession of pure grain alcohol.
Drinking games are also prohibited. Evidence of drinking games includes, but is not limited to, paraphernalia associated with drinking games, words or actions heard or observed by University officials, amount of alcohol present compared to number of people present, the level of intoxication of participants, as well as other circumstances leading a reasonable person to believe that drinking games have occurred.
Hosts of parties or gatherings where evidence exists to determine high-risk alcohol use occurred are responsible for the environment they created and/or allowed, which may result in heightened sanctions.
Funding Alcohol for Distribution
Use of undergraduate organizational funding of any type to purchase alcohol is prohibited. Use of organization bank accounts, dues, party accounts, pooling of funds, or peer-to-peer payments (Venmo) to purchase alcohol for distribution to others is prohibited. Individuals buying or fronting sums of money for mass alcohol purchase, whether expecting repayment or not, also constitutes funding of alcohol distribution.
Furnishing Alcohol to Person(s) Under the Legal Drinking Age
Subject to statutory exceptions available under Tennessee law, alcoholic beverages may not be provided (served, distributed, furnished) to persons under the legal drinking age (21 years old) in the state of Tennessee.
As in our broader community, a student—regardless of age—may not furnish alcohol to a person under the age of 21 regardless of their affiliation with the University. Furnishing includes, but is not limited to, giving alcohol to another person regardless of whether money is exchanged.
Hosting an Event where Underage Persons Consume Alcohol
Hosting a social environment in which individuals who are under the age of 21 consume alcohol is prohibited.
Possession or Consumption of Alcohol where Prohibited
Possession of open containers or consumption of alcoholic beverages, regardless of the type of container, is prohibited except where expressly authorized by the Vice Provost and Dean of Students. When authorized, possession and consumption must align with the limits of that authorization (e.g. students may not bring their own alcohol to a space where only consumption of alcohol served from a cash bar is permitted). Spaces where alcohol consumption and possession are prohibited include, but are not limited to, classrooms, academic spaces, the lobbies of residences, or about the campus, including lawns and recreational sports fields. Liquor and wine is prohibited in West End Neighborhood facilities without prior authorization. The only places on campus where students over the age of 21 may routinely possess and consume alcoholic beverages are: (1) the rooms and apartments of students in upper-division residences (with the exception of substance-free floors and buildings and Recovery Housing rooms), (2) designated facilities in the West End Neighborhood (with the exception that no liquor or wine is permitted), (3) The Pub at Overcup Oak (provided the alcoholic beverage was purchased on the premises), and (4) events with alcohol that received prior authorization of the Vice Provost and Dean of Students.
Underage Possession and/or Consumption of Alcohol
Students under the age of 21 may not possess alcohol. Possession includes, but is not limited to, carrying on one’s person, unclaimed alcohol found in an underage student’s residential space, and alcohol held on behalf of an of-age individual.
Consumption of alcohol by students under the age of 21 is prohibited, except as permitted in the observance of religious activities.
Use and/or Possession of Common Containers
The possession, storage, or use of common or bulk containers of alcoholic beverages such as kegs, pony kegs, coolers, or punch bowls by undergraduates or at any student organization-sponsored event, to which undergraduates have been invited, or at which they are present, is prohibited.
Violation of Alcohol Policy for Registered Events and Activities
Hosts and attendees are expected to comply with the Alcohol policy for all approved events or activities that include alcohol. Unless approved by the Vice Provost and Dean of Students or the Dean's designee, wine and liquor are generally prohibited at events with undergraduates in attendance.