Alcohol Policies

• Montana University System
• Service of Alcoholic Beverages 
• Tailgate Parties
• Residence Halls and University Villages
• Greek Fraternal Organizations
• University-Recognized Clubs, Organizations and Campus Events
• Off-Campus Use of Alcoholic Beverages by Student Organizations
• University Catering
• Advertising and Promotion Involving Alcohol or Tobacco
• Non-University Events
• Alcohol Risk Management Guidelines
• For More Information

Montana University System: Consumption of alcoholic beverages on University property is prohibited by Montana University System Policy 503.1 except as expressly permitted. Alcoholic beverages may be consumed by students in individual residence hall rooms or in individual University and Lewis and Clark Villages units, provided such consumption is in compliance with state laws and University Student Conduct Codes. Unless otherwise authorized by the President, alcoholic beverages in locations other than individual residence hall rooms or individual University Villages units shall conform to the following conditions:

• Consumption shall be in connection with a substantive event, such as a banquet, official entertainment or reception.
• Food and nonalcoholic beverages shall be available.
• The event shall be monitored to prevent consumption by persons not of legal age.

Service of Alcoholic Beverages: In accordance with the Service of Alcoholic Beverages Policy 40.1, the University's intent is to comply with applicable laws pertaining to the sale, possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages and to foster responsible attitudes toward alcohol among members of the University community, including students, faculty, staff and visitors. No event involving the service of alcoholic beverages may take place on the campus without the prior written approval of the President of the University or his/her designees. University Catering Services is the usual designee. Certain restrictions apply:

• The event must be substantive in nature.
• The event's organizers and sponsors will arrange for and ensure the service of food and nonalcoholic beverages during the duration of the event.
• Service and consumption of alcoholic beverages will not exceed four (4) hours.
• Organizers and sponsors of the event will monitor the service of alcoholic beverages to prevent excessive service and consumption.
• Organizers and sponsors of the event will monitor the service of alcoholic beverages to prevent service to a person not of legal age.
• The officer responsible for the area in which the event is to take place must give prior approval to the scheduling of the event.
• For events involving the sale of alcoholic beverages, the vendor must be licensed by the State and approved by the University. The University contracts annually with a local, licensed vendor for the purpose of sales of alcoholic beverages for approved events. The vendor must possess a current Montana all-beverage license and an annually renewable catering permit.
• Unreasonable or irresponsible conduct or violation of any regulation or noncompliance with any limitation outlined herein will justify discontinuance of the event and subsequent denial of University service and facilities.

Tailgate Parties: The Tailgate Parties Policy 40.2 allows students, staff, faculty, alumni and friends of the University to hold tailgate parties in the University's parking lots and fields near Washington-Grizzly Stadium in conjunction with The University of Montana home football games. Certain restrictions apply:

• Parties held in Kirkland Memorial Grove and Riverbowl East and South require tailgate permits and space must be reserved through the Assistant Athletic Director, Internal Affairs. 
• Small, private parties (10 people or fewer) may be held in University parking lots and contiguous grassy areas in the immediate vicinity of the Washington-Grizzly Stadium only, to wit: lots M, M-1, P, T, U, W, X, Y and Z.
• Parties may not be held on University streets.
• Signs in sponsored, designated tailgate areas shall be limited to identify location and shall be no higher than 10 feet above the ground level.
• Parties may begin no earlier than two hours before the scheduled start of the game.
• Consumption of alcohol may not continue beyond the kick-off of the second half of the game.
• Individuals, groups and organizations holding or participating in parties are responsible for their own conduct and are expected to respect the rights of others and the entire University community.
• Groups holding parties are responsible for providing their own designated drivers.
• At its discretion, the University may terminate parties, or take other appropriate action against individuals, groups or organizations whose conduct at parties is irresponsible, unreasonable or inconsistent with University policies and regulations, ordinances or laws.
• No organization, business or individual, except the Grizzly Scholarship Association or its designee, may sell, or offer for public consumption, beer or other alcoholic beverages on the campus in conjunction with home football games.
• No organization, business or individual may offer any food or nonalcoholic beverages for public consumption or for sale, including donations, on the campus in conjunction with home football games, without prior approval from the Office of Intercollegiate Athletics.
• No organization, business or individual may offer goods or services for sale, including donations, in conjunction with home football games.

Residence Halls and University Villages: Residence Halls and University Villages Policy permits the use and possession of alcoholic beverages in the privacy of a student's residence hall room or University Villages unit.

• In residence hall rooms, all occupants must be of legal age.
• In University Villages, anyone consuming alcoholic beverages must be of legal age.
• Alcoholic beverages may not be consumed in hallways, lounges, utility rooms or other public areas.
• Keggers and parties involving large amounts of alcoholic beverages are prohibited in students' residence hall rooms and individual University Villages units.
• Residence hall and University Villages social funds may not be used to purchase alcoholic beverages.
• Residence hall and University Villages sponsored functions involving alcoholic beverages shall adhere to the University's alcohol risk management guidelines.

Greek Fraternal Organizations: The possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages at men's and women's fraternity houses and functions must conform with policies established by the Board of Regents, University policies, The University of Montana Men's and Women's Fraternities Statement, the All-Greek Alcohol Agreement, policies of their national chapters, local ordinances, and state and federal laws.

• With limited exceptions, as defined in the All-Greek Alcohol Agreement, there will be no consumption of alcoholic beverages in the common areas of fraternity residences. 
• Members of legal drinking age may store and consume alcoholic beverages in the privacy of their own rooms. 
• At any event where alcohol is served, a system must be implemented to ensure that alcoholic beverages are not accessible or served to anyone under the legal drinking age, or to anyone who appears to be intoxicated, regardless of age.
• The sale or any indirect means of collecting money to pay for alcoholic beverages is prohibited unless a licensed vendor caters the event.
• No Greek organization shall serve or permit the use, possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages at recruitment functions.
• Chapters must adhere to their national organization policies and the Men's and Women's Fraternities Relationship Statement regarding policies for purchasing alcoholic beverages with chapter funds.
• Each chapter shall adhere to the University's alcohol risk management guidelines.

University-Recognized Clubs, Organizations and Campus Events: University clubs, organizations and campus events include, but are not limited to, sport groups, academic honoraries, athletic teams, ROTC, service organizations, sponsored parties, tailgate parties, dances, picnics, banquets, field trips, sponsored recreational events and social functions. The possession, use and consumption of alcoholic beverages by University-recognized clubs and organizations, and at campus events, must conform to local ordinances, state and federal laws, and policies established by the Board of Regents and The University of Montana.

• All events, except for tailgate parties, held on University property that involve the service of alcoholic beverages must be scheduled with University Catering Services.
• The sale of alcoholic beverages or any indirect means of collecting money to pay for alcoholic beverages is prohibited unless a licensed vendor caters the event.
• A licensed vendor or University Catering Services must be used for all events involving the service of donated alcohol.
• University Catering Services will charge appropriate fees for the service of donated alcohol.
• Club or organizational funds may not be used to buy alcoholic beverages without proper approval for entertainment expenses.
• Each club or organization shall adhere to the University's alcohol risk management guidelines.

Off-Campus Use of Alcoholic Beverages by University-Recognized Student Organizations: A University-recognized student organization that sponsors any gathering, meeting or other activity off-campus that involves alcoholic beverages must meet the same requirements that apply to on-campus events, with the exception of the following privileges and restrictions.

• A University-recognized student organization that sponsors an event involving alcoholic beverages off University property must have the event catered by a licensed vendor if fifteen (15) or more persons attend the event. Vendor approval by the University Catering Services is not required.
• A University-recognized student organization that sponsors an event involving alcoholic beverages off University property is not required to have the event catered by a licensed vendor, if fourteen (14) or fewer persons attend the event. However, the sale of alcohol is prohibited unless a licensed vendor caters the event. Event participants may contribute funds to purchase alcoholic beverages for the event. Students who organize and participate in this type of an event assume the responsibility for serving alcohol and monitoring its use in accordance with local ordinances, state and federal laws, and Board of Regents and The University of Montana policies.
• University-recognized student organizations may not apply for a special permit from the State of Montana Liquor Division.
• Student officers or officials must meet with the organization's faculty advisor to ensure their risk management plan adheres to University alcohol policies and risk management guidelines.
• Violations of University alcohol regulations are also violations of The University of Montana Student Conduct Code. Violators are subject to disciplinary action pursuant to the Code. The University, including ASUM, may deny privileges to a student organization or impose other sanctions for alcohol violations.

University Catering: A licensed vendor must be used for all events involving service of donated alcohol. University Catering Services will charge appropriate fees for the service of donated alcohol.

Advertising and Promotion Involving Alcohol or Tobacco: This policy governs alcohol or tobacco product sponsorship and/or advertising for The University of Montana-Missoula (University) events planned by University departments or officially recognized University groups and organizations. This policy applies to all such on-campus and off-campus event advertising and promotion in whatever format, including books, brochures, posters, programs, directories, newspapers, signs, radio and television, video and audiotape, and electronic computer generated communications. Signs include those at athletic facilities and other campus locations and on campus vehicles. The University recognizes the relationship between the misuse of alcohol or the use of tobacco and a variety of correlated academic, social, or health-related consequences. Although the University does not stand in loco parentis to its students, it accepts responsibility for advocating and upholding the virtues of community, safety, harm reduction, and social responsibility. For any University-related event or activity, The University of Montana-Missoula:

• Will not use beer, wine, liquor, or tobacco products (name, trademark, or logo) in advertisements and promotions for, or as sponsors of, any University event or activity regardless of location.
• Will not use any University logo, trademark or name in conjunction with alcoholic beverages or tobacco products or symbols.
• Will not make alcohol or tobacco the focus of any University event, or use the availability of beer or other alcoholic beverages or tobacco to promote any University event.
• Will not provide alcoholic beverages or tobacco products as awards or prizes to any person or organization participating in any University event or in any event on University property.

Non-University Events: Subject to approval by the President of the University, events organized by non-university organizations on University premises may display the corporate names of alcohol and tobacco-related sponsors as long as the use of alcoholic beverages or tobacco products is not promoted and University trademarked logos are not used in conjunction with the event. 

• University trademarked logos may be used in conjunction with off-campus events involving alcohol or tobacco products, if the event has multiple sponsors, does not promote the sale of those products, and is an event that benefits an issue important to the University. Each event will be judged on its own merits.

Exceptions: Exceptions to this policy shall be limited to the following:

• University football game tailgate parties to the limited extent of permitting tailgate party participants to advertise the availability of alcoholic beverages to their guests who are 21 years of age or older.
• Adams Center and University Center events to the limited extent of permitting either Center to advertise the availability of alcoholic beverages, if such beverages are otherwise permitted at an event, to participants who are 21 years of age or older.
• Any other exception authorized in advance by the University President.

Alcohol Risk Management Guidelines: Risk Management guidelines are intended to help safeguard the University community against potential harm and exposure to legal liability. Therefore, it is imperative that policies are consistently enforced and the following strategies be incorporated into planning and implementing any event.

• Alcohol-free events should be promoted.
• Reasonable amounts of food and nonalcoholic beverages must be available at the same place and featured as prominently as alcoholic beverages.
• Alcoholic beverages must not be served to minors. Adults risk criminal liability, as well as civil liability, when minors consume alcoholic beverages.
• At social functions where alcoholic beverages are provided by the sponsoring organization, direct access should be limited to designated servers and consumption permitted only within designated and monitored areas.
• Drinking competitions are prohibited.
• Activities promoting forced consumption of alcohol are not allowed and could subject those individuals providing alcohol to liability.
• Service and consumption of alcoholic beverages must not exceed four hours.
• Service must be refused to anyone who appears to be intoxicated.
• A plan must be implemented for controlling and limiting the quantity of alcohol served.
• Access to the event must be controlled.
• The Office of Public Safety must be informed prior to an on-campus event that involves the service of alcoholic beverages.
• University police officers are required for events held on-campus that are open to the public.
• Assistance should be provided to individuals who are abusing drugs and alcohol.
• Safe transportation to and from events should be encouraged and/or provided, including a designated driver program.
• Alcohol consumption at tailgate parties may begin no earlier than two hours before the scheduled start of the game, and may continue no later than the start of the second half of the game.
• Ongoing education should be provided by the University to inform individuals about the potential risks associated with excessive use of alcohol and the use of illicit drugs.
• Alcohol may not be the focus of the event.
• The amount of alcohol may not be used as an inducement to attend or participate in an event, and event promotional material may not make reference to the amount of alcohol available for consumption, such as number of beer kegs.
• Event advertisements should mention the availability of nonalcoholic beverages as prominently as alcohol.
• Alcoholic beverages are not to be provided as free awards to individual students or campus groups.

For More Information: Contact Charles Couture, Dean of Students, at 022 University Hall, 243-6413, or at charles.couture@umontana.edu.