Alcohol

This section is broken into four subsections covering the following topics:

Immunity for Alcohol and Other Drug Overdose
General Expectations
Undergraduates and Events with Alcohol
Graduate and Professional Students and Events with Alcohol

Policies related to the individual use of alcohol and other drugs can be found in the Student Handbook under the Behavior Related to Alcohol and Other Drugs section. For additional regulatory compliance information related to the Drug Free Schools and Communities Act, see Drug Free Campus in the resources section.

Immunity for Alcohol and Other Drug Overdose

It is in the best interest of students’ welfare that persons who overdose or become intoxicated be brought to the attention of medical personnel. For that reason, it is University policy that a student seeking medical attention for intoxication or overdose may be eligible for immunity for the use or underage possession of alcohol or other drugs and the resulting overdose or intoxication, provided that the sole reason the student’s intoxication or overdose was discovered by University officials was through the seeking of medical care by the affected student or by another student (excluding a student who serves as a Resident Adviser or is serving in another official role on behalf of the University at the time of the incident).

Immunity extends to individuals seeking help for another student. Students granted immunity by Student Accountability, Community Standards and Academic Integrity will be required to complete a course of evaluation, counseling and, where indicated, treatment. Failure to complete the prescribed course and/or treatment can result in the revocation of immunity.

Seeking emergency treatment for one who has overdosed or become intoxicated does not relieve a group or organization of responsibility for a violation of policy, such as providing alcohol to an underage person resulting in the intoxication for which emergency treatment is sought. However, the fact that a group or an organization sought help for an intoxicated student will be considered favorably in determining any sanction for policy violations.

General Expectations

Use of undergraduate student organization funds to purchase alcohol is prohibited.
The presence of alcohol at all undergraduate student organization recruitment events is prohibited.
Student organizations, groups, individuals, students, faculty, and staff may not serve alcoholic beverages to undergraduate students, except by special authorization from the Vice Provost and Dean of Students or designee.
Notices, posters, flyers, banners, social media posts, email invitations, etc., may not use logos or trademarks of alcoholic beverages, or mention or refer to alcoholic beverages or their availability at an event except to advertise the event is bring-your-own-beverage (B.Y.O.B.).

Undergraduates and Events with Alcohol

If an undergraduate student or student organization hosts an event, if an undergraduate student cosponsors an event with a graduate or professional student organization, or if undergraduates are invited or present at an event, and alcohol will be present at the event, the following policies apply for everyone in attendance.

Student organizations, their officers, and individual members may be subject to corrective action through the University’s student accountability process if there are violations of the underage drinking law or University policies and regulations at their events. Exceptions to the below event management policies may be made at the discretion of the Vice Provost and Dean of Students or designee, including for campus-wide events such as Rites of Spring, Commodore Quake, and community tailgates.

Registering On-Campus Events (not in the Residential Colleges or Halls)

Events (on campus or off) at which alcohol will be available and undergraduates will be invited or present must be registered and approved in Anchor Link at least four weeks in advance of the event.
Events with alcohol occurring prior to the start of classes, during reading days, and during final examinations for undergraduate students will generally not be approved. No first-year students are permitted to attend events where alcohol is present until five (5) weeks after the beginning of the fall semester, which will be deemed to begin on the official move-in day for first-year students.
Events with alcohol may be registered in one of four ways:
1. B.Y.O.B. An event at which alcohol will be present on a “bring-your-own-beverage” or B.Y.O.B. basis. Undergraduate students who have reached the legal drinking age in the state of Tennessee (21 years old) may possess and consume alcoholic beverages at events registered and approved as B.Y.O.B. The beverage at B.Y.O.B. events (during which undergraduate students are present or invited) is limited to “beer,” only, as defined by the Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 57, Chapter 5 (i.e., beer, ale, or other malt beverages, including hard seltzers, having an alcoholic content of not more than eight percent [8%] by weight); students and guests are prohibited from bringing liquor, wine, or any other alcoholic beverages to such events. The recommended quantity of authorized beverage for each event attendee over the legal drinking age is not more than three standard drink units (which is twelve [12] ounces for beer), with a maximum limit of six (6) standard drink units. No other alcohol is permitted at the event and glass bottles are prohibited. Unless an exception has been approved by the Vice Provost and Dean of Students or designee, all alcohol must be checked with a third-party bartender responsible for the distribution of the beverages throughout the event in accordance with the event management guidelines below. “B.Y.O.B.,” as shorthand for “Bring Your Own Beverage,” may be used on postings, etc., for events that have been registered B.Y.O.B. during the event registration process. Policies of the Student Centers prohibit B.Y.O.B. events, with the exception of events held at designated event spaces.
2. Sale of Alcohol. With the authorization of the Vice Provost and Dean of Students, a sponsoring party may arrange for licensed vendors to sell alcohol. The sale of alcoholic beverages is prohibited on campus with the exception of occasions for which the Vice Provost and Dean of Students has approved the engagement of a licensed vendor. This prohibition includes the sale of tickets that can be traded for alcoholic beverages, or the sale of tickets or t-shirts required for entry into an event where alcohol is distributed at no additional cost, or any scheme masking the distribution of alcohol. If an event has been approved to include the sale of alcoholic beverages, arrangements must be made for a third-party vendor to sell alcohol. Staff of the student centers will assist student organizers of events in obtaining third-party vendors. The arrangements with the vendor must be reviewed and approved by the Vice Provost and Dean of Students. A contract with a vendor for the sale of alcohol may only be signed in accordance with the University’s Delegation of Authority Policy. Student organizations or other event sponsors are prohibited from obtaining alcohol for resale by the vendor and are prohibited from receiving proceeds from the sale of alcohol. The quantity of provided beverages will be no more than three (3) standards drink units (which is 1.5 ounces of 80 proof liquor, 12 ounces of beer, and five ounces of wine).
3. Limited Open Bar. With the authorization of the Vice Provost and Dean of Students or designee, a University department may arrange for Vanderbilt Catering & Events or a third-party licensed vendor to distribute alcohol at events where undergraduate students over the age of 21 will be present. The expectation is that the quantity of provided beverage will be no more than three (3) standard drink units (which is 1.5 ounces of eighty (80) proof liquor, twelve [12] ounces for beer, and five [5] ounces for wine). Approval for this type of event will generally be granted for Commencement, Family Weekend, and Reunion-related events and activities when only graduating students will be in attendance.
4. Religious. Events of religious organizations or affiliated ministries, which employ exceptions to state law regarding the age requirement for consumption of alcohol, must be approved by the Vice Provost and Dean of Students. Such events must comply with all event management policies, except to the extent that compliance conflicts with an excepted religious practice.

Managing On-Campus Events (not in the Residential Colleges or Halls)

The following event management policies apply to all events with alcohol at which undergraduate students will be invited or present:

On an annual basis, organizers of events at which alcohol will be available must complete Host Responsibility Training, through the Center for Student Wellbeing or its designee at least four weeks prior to its first event of the year.
On an annual basis, organizers of events taking place in approved on campus locations (e.g. residential spaces, West End Neighborhood, Student Centers, etc.) at which alcohol will be available must complete event training.
There must only be one entrance to an event. All members and guests must go through the designated entrance to be signed into the party.
Security must be provided at all events at which alcohol will be consumed. Security arrangements for an event must be reviewed and approved by the Vice Provost and Dean of Students in advance of the event, where applicable.
Sober monitors must be stationed throughout the event to ensure event management procedures are followed. The number of monitors is to be determined based on the size of the event and the space in which the event is held.
Third-party security or third-party licensed bartenders must check official forms of identification and distribute wristbands to those attendees that are of legal drinking age.
In order to be admitted to an on-campus event, attendees must present their Vanderbilt ID for verification and have their attendance tracked using the Anchor Link scanners. Any guests that are not Vanderbilt students are required to show an official form of identification and their name will be recorded alongside the Vanderbilt student with whom they are a guest. Hosts of events must ensure attendance is accurately tracked in Anchor Link or uploaded into Anchor Link following the event.
The number of attendees in attendance at an event must not exceed the capacity limits of the designated space.
All alcohol must be distributed from one location using a third-party bartender. For B.Y.O.B. events, a wristband tracking system must be used in accordance with the following guidelines:
1. Upon arrival at an event, all alcohol must be checked with a third-party bartender in exchange for a bar wristband. Sober monitors should assist security and third-party bartenders to ensure alcohol goes directly to the bar and does not subvert the check-in system. Sober monitors and third-party bartenders must maintain a numbered list (in accordance with each wristband) of all attendees who have checked in alcohol at the event. All alcohol must be tracked as it is received and distributed.
2. Any individual bringing in alcohol must have their identification checked and be issued a 21+ wristband. Individuals who do not bring alcohol should not be issued 21+ wristbands, even if they are of age. In order to check out alcohol from the bar, all attendees checking out alcohol must have the bar wristband, in addition to the 21+ wristband.
3. The third-party bartenders will operate at all times in accordance with their contractual obligations, company policies, and applicable laws and regulations, which includes declining to serve those who are already intoxicated.
4. If an individual has checked in alcohol at the bar with the third-party bartender, it can only be checked back out for departure from the party 15 minutes prior to the conclusion of the event. Alcohol left at the bar at the conclusion of the party must be discarded.
5. Organizational members may not store alcohol in any space that could be accessed by guests.
Open containers of alcoholic beverages should not be permitted to leave the event. Open containers cannot be brought into an event.
Nonalcoholic beverages and food must be provided during the entire period that alcoholic beverages are available. Students organizing the event are responsible for providing nonalcoholic beverages and food.
All events where alcohol is present should have signage reminding attendees that identification will be checked and only attendees over 21 years of age are permitted to consume alcohol.
Individual student hosts or officers of an organization hosting an event are responsible for ensuring compliance with University policies and state and local law. If non-compliant, individual hosts, organizations and/or officers are subject to corrective action through the University’s accountability process, and to prosecution by the state of Tennessee, and/or the Metropolitan Government of Nashville/Davidson County.

Registering and Managing Gatherings in the Residential Colleges and Halls

The following event management policies apply to any gathering in a residential assignment of an undergraduate student at which alcohol will be present:

The Party Registration Form is located in Anchor Link and must be submitted no later than 24 hours prior to the proposed event, or by 12pm on Friday (for weekend gatherings). The form is routed to the appropriate area coordinator for review and approval. Gatherings are permitted only in Carmichael College suites, Zeppos College suites, Rothschild College suites, Warren College suites, Moore College suites, E. Bronson Ingram College suites, Village at Vanderbilt, Mayfield Place, Chaffin Place, Morgan House, and Lewis House – except those in the West End Neighborhood. All gatherings must abide by all other University and residential policies (noise, alcohol, visitation, etc.).
Events with alcohol occurring prior to the start of classes, during reading days, and during final examinations for undergraduate students will generally not be approved. No first-year students are permitted to attend events where alcohol is present until five (5) weeks after the beginning of the fall semester, which will be deemed to begin on the official move-in day for first-year students.
A majority of the students assigned to the residence hall space must be of legal age to drink alcoholic beverages in order for alcohol to be present at an event in a residential space.
On an annual basis, hosts of events at which alcohol will be available must complete Host Responsibility Training through the Center for Student Wellbeing at least three weeks prior to its first event of the year.
Alcohol must be present on a “bring-your-own” or B.Y.O.B. basis, and hosts are not permitted to serve alcohol to guests.
Identification must be checked by student hosts for those who bring alcohol to the event.
Alcohol must be kept inside the apartment/suite with doors shut.
Gatherings must be by invite only. Hosts are required to turn away interested persons who are not invited.
No events are permitted to take place in residential spaces during quiet hours. (See “Quiet and Courtesy Hours" in the Noise section.)
Nonalcoholic beverages and food must be provided during the entire period that alcoholic beverages are available. Students organizing the event are responsible for providing both nonalcoholic beverages and food.
Residents of the host apartment/suite are responsible for ensuring compliance with University policies and state and local law. If non-compliant, all residents of the host apartment/suite are subject to corrective action through the University’s accountability process, and to prosecution by the state of Tennessee, and/or the Metropolitan Government of Nashville/Davidson County.

Graduate and Professional Students and Events with Alcohol

Graduate and professional students and organizations must register events (on or off campus) at which alcohol will be present with the office of the relevant school’s dean and be approved in Anchor Link at least four weeks in advance of the event. The stipulations of event management below may be superseded by additional requirements of the facilities when an event occurs at a location other than the relevant school.

If an undergraduate student organization cosponsors an event with a graduate or professional student organization, or if undergraduates are invited or present at an event, the policies governing undergraduate events must be followed for everyone in attendance. In addition, graduate or professional student organizations and their officers are subject to corrective action through the University’s student accountability process if there are violations of the underage drinking law or University policies and regulations at their events.

Registering On-Campus Events

Events with alcohol may be registered in one of four ways:

B.Y.O.B. An event at which alcohol will be present on a "bring-your-own-beverage" or B.Y.O.B. basis. Graduate and professional students who have reached the legal drinking age in the state of Tennessee (21 years old) may possess and consume alcoholic beverages at events registered and approved as B.Y.O.B. The beverage at B.Y.O.B. events (during which undergraduate students are present or invited) is limited to "beer," only, as defined by the Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 57, Chapter 5 (i.e., beer, ale, or other malt beverages, including hard seltzers, having an alcoholic content of not more than eight percent [8%] by weight); students and guests are prohibited from bringing liquor, wine, or any other alcoholic beverages to such events. The recommended quantity of authorized beverage for each event attendee over the legal drinking age is not more than three standard drink units (which is twelve [12] ounces for beer), with a maximum limit of six (6) standard drink units. No other alcohol is permitted at the event and glass bottles are prohibited. Unless an exception has been approved by the Vice Provost and Dean of Students or designee , all alcohol must be checked with a third-party bartender responsible for the distribution of the beverages throughout the event. "B.Y.O.B.," as shorthand for "Bring Your Own Beverage," may be used on postings, etc., for events that have been registered B.Y.O.B. during the event registration process. Policies of the Student Centers prohibit B.Y.O.B. events, with the exception of events held at designated event spaces.
Sale of Alcohol. With the authorization of the Vice Provost and Dean of Students, a sponsoring party may arrange for licensed vendors to sell alcohol. The sale of alcoholic beverages is prohibited on campus with the exception of occasions for which the Vice Provost and Dean of Students has approved the engagement of a licensed vendor. This prohibition includes the sale of tickets that can be traded for alcoholic beverages, or the sale of tickets or t-shirts required for entry into an event where alcohol is distributed at no additional cost, or any scheme masking the distribution of alcohol. If an event has been approved to include the sale of alcoholic beverages, arrangements must be made for a third-party vendor to sell alcohol. Staff of the student centers will assist student organizers of events in obtaining third-party vendors. The arrangements with the vendor must be reviewed and approved by the Vice Provost and Dean of Students. A contract with a vendor for the sale of alcohol may only be signed in accordance with the University’s Delegation of Authority Policy. Student organizations or other event sponsors are prohibited from obtaining alcohol for resale by the vendor and are prohibited from receiving proceeds from the sale of alcohol. The quantity of provided beverages will be no more than three (3) standards drink units (which is 1.5 ounces of 80 proof liquor, 12 ounces of beer, and five ounces of wine.

Beer & Wine Provided. An event at which alcohol will be provided by the graduate or professional organization and served by student hosts. The beverages at these events hosted by graduate and professional student organizations are limited to beer and wine; liquor is prohibited. The recommended quantity of authorized beverage is not more than three (3) standard drink units (which is twelve [12] ounces for beer and five [5] ounces for wine), with a maximum required limit of six (6) standard drink units. Hosts and servers must not have consumed alcohol or other drugs prior to or during the event or their shift as a server. The practice of "self-serve" is prohibited.
Limited Open Bar. A University department or Graduate or Professional Registered Student Organization may arrange for Vanderbilt Catering & Events or a third-party licensed vendor to distribute alcohol—including liquor—at events where graduate and professional students over the age of 21 will be present. The expectation is that the quantity of provided beverage will be no more than three (3) standard drink units (which is 1.5 ounces of eighty (80) proof liquor, twelve [12] ounces for beer, and five [5] ounces for wine). Religious. Events of religious organizations or affiliated ministries, which employ exceptions to state law regarding the age requirement for consumption of alcohol, must be approved by the Vice Provost and Dean of Students. Such events must comply with all event management policies, except to the extent that compliance conflicts with an excepted religious practice.

Managing Events

The following event management policies apply to all graduate and professional student and student organization events with alcohol at which no undergraduate students will be invited or present:

There must be designated primary host and at least one secondary host for every event. Hosts are responsible for implementing and enforcing all event management policies. Additional secondary hosts should be designated depending on the size and scope of the event.
On an annual basis, hosts of events with alcohol or any student that will serve alcohol at an event must complete Host Responsibility Training through the Center for Student Wellbeing or its designee, at least four weeks prior to the first event of the year.
Nonalcoholic beverages and food must be provided during the entire period that alcoholic beverages are available. Students organizing the event are responsible for providing both nonalcoholic beverages and food.
Security must be provided at all events at which alcohol will be consumed. Security arrangements for an event must be reviewed and approved by the Vice Provost and Dean of Students or designee, where applicable, in advance of the event. Student hosts may serve as security depending on the size and scope of the event.
Identification must be checked at all events where alcohol is present, either through security, student hosts, or third-party licensed bartenders.
Alcohol must be kept in a regulated or secured space or area during all events where it is present, except at on campus events designated as B.Y.O.B. during which attendees must keep their alcohol with them at all times.
The number of attendees admitted to an event must not exceed the capacity of the designated space.
Individual student hosts or officers of an organization hosting an event are responsible for ensuring compliance with University policies and state and local law. If non-compliant, individual hosts, organizations and/or officers are subject to corrective action through the University’s accountability process, and to prosecution by the state of Tennessee, and/or the Metropolitan Government of Nashville/Davidson County.
All events where alcohol is present should have signage reminding attendees that identification will be checked and only attendees over 21 years of age are permitted to consume alcohol.

Off-campus Events with Alcohol (applicable to all students)

Event management and risk mitigation tactics, as described above, should be implemented at all off-campus events where alcohol is served to ensure the safety and well-being of all attendees. Additionally, co-sponsorships by alcoholic beverage or tobacco brands or distributors, or "limited service restaurants" (bars) as defined by Tennessee statute TCA 57-4-102, are prohibited. Fundraising events—or "bar nights"—in "limited service restaurants" (bars)—as defined by Tennessee statute TCA 57-4-102—or at any location where money is collected at the door, or through any other arrangement, with an establishment involving financial transactions that circumvent the University’s accounting system, are prohibited. In addition, co-sponsorships of any sort with—or from—a business or establishment with alcohol sales accounting for more than 50 percent of total business transactions ("bar" as defined by Tennessee statute TCA 57-4-102) are prohibited.

More information about policies that apply to off-campus events can be found in the Off-Campus Events Section in the Student Organization Administration section.