Campus alcohol service policy takes effect

Online employee training and an electronic permit process are among the changes accompanying the new campus policy regarding the service of alcohol at University of Wisconsin–Madison events, which takes effect at the beginning of the spring semester.

Employees who are overseeing alcohol beverages at university events now must complete the responsible employee training module hosted online by Learn@UW. Applicants must wait 24 hours after completion of the training to apply for an alcohol beverage service permit. All permits must now be submitted electronically.

“The training module helps to ensure that organizers understand university policies, Wisconsin alcohol laws, and their responsibilities at an event,” says Sarah Van Orman, executive director of University Health Services.

“It equips them with important skills such as identification procedures and how to recognize and respond to intoxicated individuals,” adds Van Orman, who is responsible for administering the new policy. “It is designed to be user friendly and completed in about 30 minutes.”

The new policy is designed to be more consistent and clear than the previous policy. Key provisions improve communication to the campus community, clarify the definition of a university event under the policy, and establish new time and attendance thresholds for events at which alcohol is served.

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

The 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 an institution of higher education.

In addition to required training and electronic permits, highlights of the revised 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, including student segregated fees. This also 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.
• Events cannot exceed 150 persons and two hours in duration. Individuals interested in hosting larger and/or longer events should contact an on-campus or off-campus caterer for arrangements. Food and non-alcoholic beverages must be available at the event.