Administering Office: Student Affairs and Administration and Finance
Initially Approved: January 15, 2002
Approved by Executive Council: May 17, 2010; June 30, 2008; May 2, 2005; September
14, 2004
Approved by the Board of Trustees: June 4, 2010; July 14, 2008
Posted: June 17, 2010
SCOPE
This policy statement describes: (1) where alcoholic beverages may be possessed on
campus (2) the type of alcoholic beverages that are allowed on campus and (3) University
requirements for service of alcoholic beverages on campus. Those administrative units
responsible for areas where alcoholic beverages may be consumed are required in some
cases and allowed in other cases to develop their own procedures, not to conflict
with this policy, which provide additional oversight as necessary.
GOVERNING PRINCIPLES
It is illegal, and a violation of university policy, for any person less than 21 years
of age to consume, purchase, or possess an alcoholic beverage. All policies and procedures
for possession, consumption, and handling of alcoholic beverages must comply with
N.C. G.S, Chapter 18B and university policy. Violators will be disciplined in accordance
with appropriate university rules and regulations, in addition to penalties under
state law. All students should be familiar with the alcohol beverage laws of North
Carolina. Copies are available in Hunter Library.
Specific procedures must exist to check and identify underage persons, anytime alcoholic
beverage consumption by such persons may occur.
State appropriated funds, trust funds, grant or contract funds, student fees collected
by WCU, or other restricted funds under the jurisdiction of the University Controller's
Office, must not be used to purchase alcoholic beverages unless they are being purchased
for cooking purposes in academic classes. For University held events, alcohol may
only be purchased from Foundation funds; qualifying student organizations must use
personal funds. (The procedure for using alcoholic beverages in academic classes,
developed by the Department of Human Environmental Sciences is attached.)
Under no circumstance may any department, office, person, organization, or business
entity sell alcoholic beverages on the University's campus. “Sale” shall be defined
as any transfer, trade, exchange, or barter, in any manner or by any means, for consideration,
including, but not limited to, required fees or the purchase of tickets for admission
to an event at which alcoholic beverages will be served. Likewise, donations may not
be required or solicited in connection with such an event. [N.C. G.S. section 18B-1002
and 1006]
All individuals, including students, employees, and guests living on campus, are permitted
to transport only unopened containers of alcoholic beverages to their campus residences
or elsewhere on campus.
At campus areas for which the NC Alcohol Beverage Commission may have issued permits,
any possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages must also be subject to the special
rules or procedures, adopted by the University, for that area.
In the event of conflict between this policy and the facility specific procedure for
a University location, this general campus policy will control. In all instances of
facility specific procedures, the above GOVERNING PRINCIPLES shall apply.
AUTHORIZED AREAS ON CAMPUS
Unless prohibited by administrative action, alcoholic beverages on campus may be possessed
or consumed in the following University designated locations only:
a. The campus residences of a legal age student, employee, or guest. For purposes
of this policy, the residence of a student living in a residence hall is defined to
mean only the assigned campus room in the residence hall and does not include any
public or common area of the residence hall. (Consult the WCU Residential Living Office
or its Web page for rules concerning campus residences, and instances where consumption
and possession of alcoholic beverages might be prohibited by administrative action);
b. University Center BYOB events. Only malt beverages and unfortified wine may be
consumed at BYOB events and typically, BYOB events are scheduled in the University
Center or in Brown Hall. Consumption must be in accordance with state laws and the
University Center BYOB Alcohol Service Policy;
c. University approved tailgating events. Only malt beverages and unfortified wine
may be consumed at designated tailgating events, in approved campus tailgating parking
lots. (See the Tailgating Policy for specifics);
d. Only malt beverages and unfortified wine may be served and consumed at the following
campus locations and for the educational related events specified below. (See alcohol
service event procedures below for further details.) In addition, as specified by
the Chancellor at specific Board of Trustees and Foundation Board events, malt beverages,
unfortified wine as well as other alcoholic beverages may be served.
Locations
• Ramsey Regional Activity Center
• Jordan-Phillips Fieldhouse
• University Outreach Center
• M. Bird Alumni House
• Madison Hall
• A.K. Hinds University Center
• Brown Hall
• Center for Applied Technology
• Fine and Performing Arts Center
• University Conference Space in Blue Ridge Residence Hall
• Other locations deemed appropriate by the Chancellor
Events
Examples of approved events includes, banquets, dinners, receptions, educational conferences
or conventions, and special one-time occasions scheduled by the Office of the Chancellor,
University academic or administrative units, the WCU Foundation, and officially recognized
student organizations at Western Carolina University.
Groups that do not meet the above criteria [item d] will be directed to seek service
at facilities in the Sylva-Cullowhee area or elsewhere. The aforementioned University
entities are prohibited from acting as a sponsor for an outside group; these entities
must participate in and actively take responsibility for such an event.
SERVICE POLICIES
Any on-campus booking that entails service and consumption of malt beverages or unfortified
wine requires approval in writing, in accordance with this policy and the approval
process for the event facility.
Alcohol may not be served to those exhibiting unusual behavior, impaired speech, lack
of motor coordination, or any other indicia of intoxication, when such behavior appears
to be the result of any substance abuse. Intoxicated persons are prohibited from consuming
alcoholic beverages on university premises. Facility staff, event staff, waiters,
security, et al may identify and notify University Police to remove anyone who is
disruptive, due to apparent alcohol consumption or other substance abuse. If removed
from the event, the University does not condone and is expressly against anyone driving
while under the influence of alcohol or other judgment impairing substance; removal
of such persons should be in accordance with University Police policy and state law.
Malt beverages and unfortified wine may be served only in conjunction with a University
authorized event, using only University-contracted catering by the WCU food service
vendor.
Alcoholic beverages must be used only as complements to an event's meal or hors d'oeuvres,
not as the primary focus.
Non-alcoholic beverages must be available at the same place as the alcoholic beverages
and featured as prominently as the alcoholic beverages.
Service of malt beverages and unfortified wine may begin no sooner than one (1) hour
prior to an event's scheduled meal service time; alcoholic beverage service must be
discontinued upon completion of the catered meal's food servings. For receptions or
events only serving hors d'oeuvres, alcoholic beverage service is limited to one (1)
hour only.
Malt beverages and unfortified wine, for service and consumption in the building locations
previously listed, must be purchased by the event applicant/sponsor in advance and
turned over to the University's contracted catering/service provider prior to the
event. (See alcohol service event procedures below for further details.)
At occasions where malt beverages or unfortified wines are served, University-contracted
food service catering staff must provide trained bartenders, waiters, and/or waitresses
and the cost of their service will be charged to the event's applicant/sponsor. Set-ups,
supplies, security, and usage fees, if any, will also be charged to the applicant/sponsor.
By holding an event, the University applicant understands and agrees that they must
physically reclaim unused beverages within 48 hours of the event's completion or the
unused portion(s) will be destroyed. With the exception of an individual's campus
residence, reclaimed portions from events are not to be kept on campus in, including
but not limited to, administrative and academic buildings, offices, spaces, or storage.
[When reclaiming and transporting unused beverages, be mindful of NC Open Container
Laws.]
Except to the extent allowed above, brown bagging is prohibited.
Except to the extent allowed above, events at which alcoholic beverages are served
will be closed to all persons not specifically invited or on the guest list.
Alcoholic Beverage Service Event Procedures
For additional information please see the University Center BYOB Alcohol Service Policy,
the Tailgating Policy, the Alcoholic Beverage Service Event Procedures, or the Alcohol
Beverage Service Form:
- University Policy 102 - University Center BYOB Policy
- University Policy 103 - Tailgating Policy
- Alcohol Beverage Service Event Procedures (PDF)
- Alcohol Beverage Service Form (PDF)
- Procedure for using alcoholic beverages in academic classes (PDF)
Sales Policies
North Carolina General Statutes §18B-1006 permits the sale of beer and wine at performing
arts centers located on property owned or leased by constituent institutions of the
University of North Carolina if the seating capacity does not exceed 2,000 seats.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this policy, beer and wine may be sold
at events held at the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center provided that
such sale complies with all applicable state and local legal requirements. Prior
to the sale of beer and wine at an event, requisite ABC permits must be obtained by
the university’s food services provider and the food services provider shall be responsible
for all alcohol sales and compliance with all applicable laws related to sales. (section
added 3-1-13)