Campus adopts new alcohol policy for UW events

A new policy that will provide greater clarity and consistency surrounding the service of alcohol at University of Wisconsin–Madison events takes effect at the beginning of the spring 2014 semester.

Key provisions will improve communication of the alcohol policy to the campus community, clarify the definition of a university event covered by the policy, and establish new time and attendance thresholds for events at which alcohol is served.

Details of the campus alcohol policy are available at this new website.

A task force of faculty, staff and students recommended changes to the policy earlier this year. The recommendations were then reviewed by campus governance groups and other stakeholders.

The new policy is intended to promote a safe campus environment and culture of responsibility. The task force reviewed best practices regarding alcohol-use policies that are appropriate for a higher educational institution.

Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Darrell Bazzell says the task force conducted the most comprehensive review of UW–Madison’s alcohol policies and procedures in many years. The end result is a policy that will address a range of challenges relating to the service and use of alcohol at university events, he says.

“The task force and campus community came to agreement around a thoughtful policy that will help us better deal with this important issue,” Bazzell says.

Sarah Van Orman, executive director of University Health Services and task force chair, says the policy changes were the result of months of study and discussion.

“We really took a deep dive into the policy to figure out what was working and where there was room for improvement,” Van Orman says. “What we will have going forward is a more comprehensive policy.”

Details of the new policy include:

• The definition of a university event has been clarified to include any gathering, program or activity that takes place on university property or takes place as part of an off-campus, university-sponsored activity, or is paid for with university funds. This includes university-sponsored or funded events that take place in other states or countries.
• For alcoholic beverage service to be permitted, at least two-thirds of attendees must be above the minimum legal drinking age of 21.
• Events must have one responsible employee for the first 50 attendees, and one additional responsible employee for each 25 additional attendees. A responsible employee is defined as a faculty, limited, academic staff or classified staff appointment age 21 or over, or a graduate or professional student for events hosted by and for graduate and professional students.
• Responsible employees must complete an online training course and a new on-line Alcohol Beverage Service Permit that will be accessible in early January via the new website.