Introduction

Grand Valley State University strives to provide a healthy University community free of the abuse of alcohol and illegal or unauthorized use of alcohol.  The university also seeks to ensure the safety of the university community in compliance with state law when serving or consuming alcohol on campus property. This commitment to students, faculty, and staff is evidenced by the:

• Publication of standards of conduct and University policies
• Provision of alcohol abuse prevention programs
• Availability of counseling, treatment, and rehabilitation resources
• Enforcement of applicable University policies
• Enforcement of federal and state laws and local ordinances that govern alcohol (including underage drinking, hosting, and furnishing laws)
• Promotion of an environment that supports healthy choices

Refer to SLT 5.1 for information on the Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy. Refer to the Alcohol and Other Drugs Services page and the Related Links below for additional resources.

The unlawful possession and consumption of alcohol by faculty, staff, and students on University owned or controlled property or as part of University activities is prohibited. All University employees will, as a condition of employment, abide by the terms of this policy. Faculty, staff, and students are responsible for making decisions within the context of University policies and federal, state, and local laws related to alcohol.

Possession, as used in this policy, includes but is not limited to, holding, furnishing, storing, supplying, creating, using, and distributing alcohol.

Grand Valley State University generally prohibits the possession and consumption of alcohol on property and in buildings owned or controlled by the University except as otherwise noted in this policy or with an approved exception by the Vice President of Finance and Administration or other delegate authorized in writing by the Vice President of Finance and Administration (“Authorized Delegate”). As a rule:

• The possession of open or uncapped containers of alcoholic beverages and the consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in all buildings and on grounds and property owned or controlled by Grand Valley State University, except as outlined in this policy or where an exception has been approved in writing by the Vice-President for Finance and Administration or an Authorized Delegate.

Students and employees failing to comply with this policy are subject to disciplinary actions up to and including dismissal.

Grand Valley State University Department of Public Safety personnel are authorized to escort individuals who are found to be in violation of this policy off of University owned or controlled property.

There are occasions where alcohol may be possessed or consumed on the property grounds and within buildings of the University. The following outlines where, when, and how alcohol may be consumed. 

Where Alcohol is Permitted to be Possessed and Consumed

University Events at Which Alcohol will be Provided Without Charge
Upon the appropriate approval of the Vice-President of Finance and Administration or an Authorized Delegate, the University may provide alcohol at no charge as part of an event or reception such as a guest lecture, donor, or alumni event. However, alcohol served at a licensed facility must comply with all relevant laws and regulations regarding the distribution of alcohol in those spaces. All approved events must take place in a building, space, or area, during a time appropriate for the type of event and location.

1. The request for approval under this exception should be submitted to the Vice-President of Finance and Administration or an Authorized Delegate at least four (4) weeks prior to the event.
2. The request for approval must be submitted on the form attached in Appendix A.
3. The following conditions must apply to the event:
   a. Only certified servers will distribute alcohol.
   b. The primary purpose of the event is something other than the availability of alcohol, and alcohol is not used as an inducement to participate in the event.
   c. The event will be held in a manner that is consistent with the standards of conduct appropriate for an academic community.
   d. The event must take place on the date, time and at the location specified on the request.
   e. Appropriate precautions will be taken to prevent underage drinking and other law or University policy violations.
   f. It must be anticipated that the majority of the participants at the event will be of legal drinking age.

Sale of Alcohol at a Licensed Facility
Alcohol may be sold (not gifted or sold below cost) at licensed facility locations on University owned or controlled property. Only certified servers are permitted to sell alcohol on property owned or controlled by the University. The University maintains licensure through the Michigan Liquor Control Commission for alcohol sales in the locations listed in Appendix B . Alcohol may also be sold at a licensed location on the campus for rented space at non-University sponsored events. Such events may include weddings which may provide guests or attendees alcohol free of charge while the person renting the space pays for all the alcohol sold.

1. Alcohol may only be dispensed at these locations by vendors authorized by the University. Vendors may only be authorized by the Vice-President for Finance and Administration or an Authorized Delegate. All servers must be certified staff.
2. All participants must comply with the applicable restrictions specified in the license through the Michigan Liquor Control Commission for each licensed facility.
3. Compliance with Michigan laws regarding the serving of alcohol, (including compliance with the rules and regulations of the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) regarding liquor licenses), is required and will be enforced at all times. Such laws include, but are not limited to, those laws that require that no one shall be permitted to consume alcohol who is not twenty-one (21) years of age or older nor shall any person who appears visibly intoxicated be served.

Special License
Upon the appropriate approval of the Vice-President of Finance and Administration, the University may permit the limited service of alcoholic beverages in conjunction with programs at locations other than the locations identified in appendix B. Any service of alcoholic beverages at a location other than a licensed facility requires obtaining a special (24 hour) license from the MLCC. The rules and regulations of the Michigan Liquor Control Act provide that five special (24 hour) liquor licenses may be issued to a nonprofit, religious, fraternal, civic, or patriotic organization during the calendar year. Alcohol served pursuant to a special license must comply with all guidelines pertaining to the special license.

Consumption of Alcohol within the University Curriculum
Some University classes may allow, as a part of the course curriculum, the possession or consumption of alcohol. Faculty teaching those courses must abide by all applicable state laws and regulations as well as the following rules:

1. The course syllabus must be approved in writing by the Office of the Provost.
   a. The course syllabus must contain a description of the place and manner in which alcohol will be possessed and/or consumed in the course.
    
2. The instructor will ensure that the consumption of alcohol is restricted to individuals of legal drinking age by checking a valid state-issued driver’s license, state identification card, or a valid passport.
3. The instructor will not serve alcohol to a person who appears visibly intoxicated.
4. The Office of the Provost and the GVSU Police Department will be notified in advance of the dates on which alcohol will be possessed and/or consumed and reserve the right to provide on-site oversight to ensure that all rules are being followed. For licensed facilities, alcohol must be purchased through the license for that facility.
5. Following the use of alcohol in a course, the container must be capped, sealed or corked and handled consistently with the remaining provisions of this policy. Any serving cups, bottles, cans or glasses that contained alcohol must be emptied and rinsed. At the conclusion of use, the sealed containers must be removed from the premises.
6. All consumption and possession of alcohol as part of a course curriculum must comply with the relevant provisions of MCL 432027.

Athletic Events
Home Football Game Days - Possession and Consumption in Public Areas

The University recognizes the tradition of tailgating on home football game days. The following rules apply:   

1. The consumption of alcohol prior to a home football game may occur in certain specific areas on the Allendale Campus, as follows: Alcohol consumption for tailgating purposes is allowed four hours prior to the kickoff start of the game in the Gold and Blue designated parking lots on campus and three hours prior to the game start in parking lots C, F, and G.
2. Alcohol may not be consumed in any other parking lot, sidewalk, or roadway on the campus.
3. Alcohol consumption must end at kickoff time for the game.
4. The following rules apply to all tailgating areas on campus. 
   a. No kegs or excessive quantities of alcohol.
   b. No drinking games, including but not limited to beer pong and flip cup.
   c. No glass containers. All beverages must be in aluminum cans, plastic bottles, paper, or plastic cups.
   d. No open alcohol is permitted outside the tailgate area, unless in a cooler or sealed packaging.
   e. No underage possession or consumption of alcohol is permitted. Pursuant to university policy, any person on property owned or controlled by Grand Valley State University may be required to show identification to any university official upon request.

HOME GAME DAYS- SERVICE, POSSESSION, AND CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL IN DESIGNATED LICENSED ATHLETIC FACILITIES
The University has implemented alcohol sales on home game days within designated licensed athletic facilities (Lubbers Stadium and Fieldhouse Arena). The following rules apply:

1. Only certified servers will sell alcohol.
2. Alcohol will not be served to visibly intoxicated patrons.
3. A maximum of two alcoholic beverages per person may be purchased per transaction.
4. Alcohol sales throughout the entire facility will conclude at the start of the fourth quarter of home football games and mid-way through the second half (or start of the fourth quarter) of home basketball games. On double header days, sales will resume shortly before the start of the second game. Alcohol will not be allowed to leave the facility.
5. No alcoholic beverages are allowed to be brought into the designated license athletic facility.
6. No underage possession or consumption of alcohol is permitted. Pursuant to university policy, any person on property owned or controlled by Grand Valley State University may be required to show identification to any university official upon request.
7. All rules pertaining to the Sale of Alcohol at a Licensed Facility outlined in this policy apply.  

Residential Facilities
the lawful possession and consumption of alcohol in residential facilities owned and controlled by the University is permitted subject to all relevant laws, and University and Housing policies.

The consumption or possession of alcohol is not permitted in freshman housing, unless all occupants of the residence are of legal drinking age.

The consumption or possession of alcohol in all other housing (other than freshman housing) must comply with all applicable laws, including that no occupant will supply, furnish or make alcohol available to any person under the legal drinking age.

Related Links

Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy

Travel Policy

Minors on Campus Policy

Housing and Residence Life Alcohol Policy Section 3.6

Alcohol and Substance Abuse Information Page

Amnesty for Alcohol or Drug Violations

Student Code Alcohol Policy

Alcohol and Other Drugs Services Page

Keep Laker’s Safe Resource Page

Off Campus Substance Abuse Resource Page

Alcohol and Substance Abuse Information – Alcohol Poisoning