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Social Policy
| The social component of Greek Life is highly valued by Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. All policies shall be implemented in a way that promotes the responsible use of alcohol. Further, each chapter is expected to adhere to the laws of the State of New Jersey as they pertain to building and fire safety as well as the consumption of alcohol and other substances. | |
| All members of the Rutgers Interfraternity Council, the Rutgers Panhellenic Association and Special Interest Chapters are expected to abide by the policies of OFSA or their individual inter/national risk management policy, whichever is stricter. These social policies apply to all fraternity entities and all levels of fraternity membership. The use of the word “fraternity” refers to men’s and women’s groups. | |
| Section One - General Policy Statement | |
| 1. | The possession, sale, use or consumption of ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, while on or off chapter premises, during a fraternity event/function, in any situation sponsored or endorsed by the chapter, or in any event/function an observer would associate with the fraternity, must be in compliance with any and all applicable laws of the state, province, county, city and institution of higher education, and must comply with either BYOB or Third Party Vendor Guidelines. |
| 2. | No alcoholic beverage may be purchased through chapter funds nor may the purchase of same for members or guests be undertaken or coordinated by any member in the name of, or on behalf of, the chapter or on behalf of the members for a chapter event. The purchase or use of a bulk quantity or common sources of such alcoholic beverages, e.g. kegs or cases, is prohibited. |
| 3. | Chapters are permitted to host a total of eight (8) social events per semester that include the use of alcohol. |
| 4. | Registration - All event/functions must be registered at OFSA and approved by noon on the Wednesday prior to the event/function. Registration forms are to be filled out completely. Late registration will result in non-approval of the activity. Chapter advisors are to sign each registration form. Students are not permitted to sign for chapter advisors. |
| 5. | Chapters are permitted to host invitation parties (see glossary) ONLY if the event is located at a licensed third party vendor (see glossary). Invitation parties may not take place in chapter houses. |
| 6. | OPEN PARTIES, meaning those with unrestricted access by non-members of the fraternity, without specific invitation, where alcohol is present, shall be prohibited. |
| 7. | Guest List - The participating chapter(s) must submit a guest list for every social event/function registered (date parties, mixers, formals, homecoming or any event/function that includes non-members). Guest lists must be submitted by noon one day prior to the event/function. Each member and guest listed must have a first and last name. Each guest must also provide an address. |
| 8. | No members, collectively or individually, shall purchase for, provide, serve to, or sell alcoholic beverages to any minor (i.e., those under the legal “drinking age”). |
| 9. | The possession, sale or use of any ILLEGAL DRUGS or CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES while on chapter premises or during a fraternity event/function or at any event/function that an observer would associate with the fraternity, is strictly forbidden. |
| 10. | No chapter may co-sponsor an event/function with an alcohol distributor, charitable organization or tavern where alcohol is given away, sold or otherwise provided to those present. |
| 11. | Advertising - Chapters may not advertise a social event/function at which alcohol will be present (i.e. no flyers, posters, Targum advertisements, radio spots, etc.). Further, chapters shall be prohibited from advertising ANY event/function outside the Rutgers community without the express prior written consent of the Dean of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs. |
| 12 | No chapter may co-sponsor or co-finance a function where alcohol is purchased by any of the host chapters, groups or organizations. |
| 13. | All recruitment activities associated with any chapter will be DRY recruitment functions. |
| 14 | In accordance with NPC Unanimous Agreeements, member chapters shall prohibit the use of alcoholic beverages in recruitment, including Bid Day functions. |
| 15. | No member shall permit, tolerate, encourage, or participate in "drinking games." |
| 16. | Drinking games shall be defined as any activity that facilitates drinking. Examples include beer pong, thumper, ice block shots, Jell-O shots, shots of any nature, quarters, etc. |
| 17. | No alcohol shall be present at any pledge/new member/associate member/novice program, activity or ritual of the chapter. |
| 18. | Social Chairperson Training - All social chairpersons must attend the Social Chair Training Session sponsored by OFSA. Failure to attend will result in loss of social privileges until the social chair meets with the appropriate Dean. |
| 19. | Cleaning - The premises and surrounding areas shall be clear litter by 10:00 A.M. the day following the social event/function (or following guidelines of the facility). |
| 20. | Noise - All social event/functions must comply with the noise ordinance of the City of New Brunswick and with the noise policy of the University. |
| 21. | Dangerous Themes - Event/functions that require specific construction (i.e. mud slides, etc.) are prohibited. Chapters wishing to host functions including unusual themes must receive written permission from their state or inter/national risk management officer. Written permission must accompany the DOE. Permanent bars - There shall be NO permanent bars in chapter houses. |
| Section Two - Non-Alcoholic Events/Functions | |
| 1. | Non-Alcoholic Event/Function, meaning those events/functions that do not include the use of alcohol. Chapters are encouraged to host at least eight (8) non-alcoholic events/functions each semester. Non-alcoholic events must be registered with OFSA forty-eight (48) hours prior to the event. |
| 2. | Guests: the number of guests at a non-alcoholic social event/function should never exceed the number permitted by the State of New Jersey Building and Fire code. Further, fire/occupancy level for social event/functions should be posted at the entrance of the facility. |
| 3. | Guest List: Guest lists are required for non-alcoholic parties. Guest lists must be submitted to OFSA no later than 24 hours prior to the function. |
| 4. | Non-alcoholic event/functions shall be permitted on Thursdays between the hours of 5:00 PM and 12:00 midnight. Events/Functions shall be permitted on Fridays between 5:00 PM and 2:00 AM and on Saturdays between 10:00 AM and 2:00 AM. |
| Section Three - Third Party Vendor Events/Functions | |
| 1. | Third Party Vendor events, meaning those private events/functions that take place at a licensed and insured establishment that is not affiliated with any chapter sponsoring the event/function (i.e. social hall, lodge, hotel, restaurant). |
| 2. | Chapters are permitted to host a total of eight (8) social events per semester that include the use of alcohol. Chapters are permitted to host the following types of social events with alcohol at a third party location: alumni function, brotherhood/sisterhood function, date function, mixer or invitation party (see glossary for definitions). |
| 3. | Third Party Vendor events/functions shall be permitted on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays |
| 4. | Guest List: Guest lists are required for Third Party Vendor parties. Guest lists must be submitted to OFSA no later than 24 hours prior to the function. No more than three guests per collegiate member are to be invited.) |
| Section Four - Chapter House Events/Functions | |
| 1. | Events/Functions with alcohol in chapter houses must be BYOB. BYOB is defined as: Members and guests 21 and over are permitted to bring one six pack of 12 oz. cans for their own consumption. |
| 2. | Chapters are permitted to host the following types of social events with alcohol in the chapter house: alumni function, brotherhood function and date functions (see glossary for definitions). |
| 3. | Chapter house events/functions shall be permitted on Thursdays between the hours of 5:00 PM and 12:00 midnight. Events/Functions shall be permitted on Fridays between 5:00 PM and 2:00 AM and on Saturdays between 10:00 AM and 2:00 AM. |
| 4. | Admission. Limited to chapter members and invited guests only. A current chapter roster(s) and a copy of the guest list must be at the entrance to the social function at all times. No temporary guest lists are permitted. “Greek Privilege” is not permitted. “Fraternity Passes” are not permitted. The chapter(s) shall record the names of all guests entering the event/function (name and address.) |
| 5. | Identification: The host chapter(s) shall require ALL persons entering the social event/function to provide a driver's license or other picture identification card issued by a state or federal agency establishing proof of age before entering. Persons without proper identification are never admitted. |
| 6. | Bracelets: The host chapter(s) must provide bracelets to guests of legal drinking age. Markers, stamps or other easily duplicated means to identify guests are prohibited. |
| 7. | The sponsoring chapter(s) shall have at least two initiated members at the entrance to the event/function performing the functions set forth in 2-4 above. Social functions shall be serviced by a single entrance. |
| 8. | No open alcoholic containers may enter or leave the function. |
| 9. | Chapters are responsible for providing an adequate quantity (adequate = enough for event/function participants) of non-alcoholic beverages for the duration of any social event/function involving the use of alcohol. |
| 10. | Chapters are responsible for providing an adequate quantity (adequate = enough for event/function participants) of food (i.e., subs, cheese, breads, dips, meats, pizza, etc.) for the duration of any social event/function involving the use of alcohol. |
| Glossary |
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| 1. | Alcoholic Beverages - Beer is the only alcoholic beverage permitted to be present and/or consumed during a BYOB social function. Beer, wine and mixed drinks are the only Alcoholic Beverages permitted to be present and/or consumed during a social function catered by a Third Party Vendor. |
| 2. | Alumni Function - type of event that allows only members of the collegiate chapter and alumni members of the organization to attend. Alumni must appear on the guest list. |
| 3. | Brotherhood/Sisterhood Function - type of event that allows only members of the collegiate chapter to attend. |
| 4. | Bulk Quantity - shall be defined as any form of alcohol that is more than one single serving (examples include, but are not limited to kegs, party balls, cases of beer, punch, etc.) |
| 5. | BYOB - (Bring Your Own Beer) - Members 21 and over are permitted to bring one six pack of 12 oz. cans for their own consumption. |
| 6. | Chapter Funds - Moneys found in any chapter bank account (savings, checking, etc.) OR money collected from the members, alumni, guests, etc. for the purchase of alcohol. The use of slush or sinking funds is in violation of policy. |
| 7. | Chapter Premises - any property owned, leased, rented or any property an observer would otherwise associate with the fraternity and/or its members. |
| 8. | Common Area - any room of the chapter house not considered personal living space that is easily accessible to all. |
| 9. | Common Source of Alcohol - is defined as any form of alcohol that is dispensed from one single source (examples include, but are not limited to, cases, kegs, shots of any nature.) |
| 10. | Date - one specifically invited person per chapter member present Date |
| 11. | Function - event that allows chapter members to invite one guest (date) to the function. |
| 12. | Guest - any individual not affiliated with the participating chapter(s) (i.e. brothers/sisters, friends from out of town, visiting chapters, girlfriends/boyfriends, alumni(ae), non-Greek friends, etc.) |
| 13. | Invitation Party - event that allows only members of the sponsoring chapter and their invited guests to attend (no more than 3 guests per collegiate member.) Invitation Parties may only take place at third party locations |
| 14. | Mixer (2 to 4 chapters) - type of event that allows only members of the sponsoring chapters to attend. No non-members are permitted. |
| 15. | Open Party - any function where alcohol is present and the number in attendance (members and non-members) exceeds the 3:1 ratio. |
| 16. | Private Event - an event/function that is limited to collegiate members and their specific invited guests. |
| 17. | Social Function (Event/function) - a planned, sponsored, hosted, co-hosted or promoted event/function by a chapter in conjunction with another chapter or invited guests. Social functions (event/functions) include, but are not limited to mixers, formals, date nights, theme parties, brotherhood/sisterhood event/functions, parent functions and alumni functions. |
| 18. | Sober/Non-Drinking Monitor - a legally sober chapter member who refrains absolutely from drinking alcohol prior to and during performance of their monitoring duties. |
| 19. | Tavern - an establishment generating more than half of its annual gross sales from alcohol. |
| 20 | Third Party Vendor - a licensed and insured cash bar operator who is not affiliated with any chapter sponsoring the event/function. |
