POL 04.20.02 – Alcohol Policy

Authority: Board of Trustees

History: First Issued: September 13, 1986. Last Revised: July 10, 2019.

Related Policies:
NCSU REG04.20.01 – Alcohol Regulation

Additional References:
UNC Code Appendix I.C (personnel); XII (students); XIII (athletics); XVI (facilities)
Permission to Serve Alcohol form
N.C. General Statute 18B – Regulation of Alcoholic Beverages
N.C. ABC Commission website

Contact Info: Office of General Counsel (919) 515-3071

1. PURPOSE

The service, possession, and consumption of alcoholic beverages are regulated by North Carolina General Statutes, Raleigh City Code, and NC State University (NC State) Policies. All members of the University community are obligated to obey these laws, policies and ordinances. The University does not have the right to alter State laws or local ordinances or secure exemption from them. The University may be required to participate in the enforcement of the laws and ordinances.

2. DEFINITIONS

2.1 When used in this policy, the following definitions shall apply:

2.1.1 “Alcoholic beverage” means any beverage containing at least one-half of one percent (0.5%) alcohol by volume, including malt beverages, unfortified wine, fortified wine, spirituous liquor, and mixed beverages, as such terms are defined in N.C.G.S. § 18-101.

2.1.2 “Athletic Facilities” means:

(a) the areas of the PNC Arena that are designated NC State exclusive use areas in accordance with the Use Agreement between the University and the Centennial Authority;

(b) all other inside environs of the PNC Arena, but only on such days as such areas are used by the University for the purpose of playing basketball games;

(c) the exterior grounds and parking facilities of the PNC Arena, but only on such days as those areas are used by the University in connection with basketball and football games;

(d) the inside environs of Carter-Finley Stadium, including Vaughn Towers;

(e) the exterior grounds and parking facilities of Carter-Finley Stadium, except where such areas are being used for non-University events; and,

(f) all other competition venues, including the exterior grounds and parking facilities thereof, owned or leased by the University.

2.1.3 The term “Chancellor” includes his or her designee.

2.1.4 “Outdoors” means anywhere outside the confines of a building, including but not limited to, walkways and patios.

3. SCOPE

3.1 This policy applies to property controlled or managed by NC State or leased by NC State for NC State’s use.

3.2 This policy shall not apply to:

3.2.1 private residential dwelling units and the common elements associated therewith constructed on Centennial Campus and used for non-University purposes; and,

3.2.2 privately owned or privately leased facilities on University land, such as private buildings, offices and spaces on Centennial Campus.

3.3 However, such private parties are subject to North Carolina law and other applicable NC State policies and lease requirements concerning the possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages in their privately owned or leased facilities on campus. Private parties must also obtain appropriate permits from the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission, when applicable.

4. POSSESSION AND CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AT NC STATE

4.1 Possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages are prohibited:

(a) for all persons under the age of 21;

(b) in areas of classrooms being used for instructional purposes;

(d) within the rights-of-way of municipal streets, alleys and sidewalks, in municipal parks and buildings or other property owned by the City of Raleigh; and,

(e) subject to the exceptions provided in section 4.3, in Athletic Facilities during athletic events.

4.2 University Housing

Consistent with North Carolina law, the possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages by those 21 and older is permitted in one’s own room or the room of another person with the consent of the other person. The consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in the common areas of University Housing facilities, including, but not limited to, hallways, stairwells, elevators, and courtyards.

4.3 Athletic Facilities

4.3.1 Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in Athletic Facilities during athletic events with the following exceptions:

(a) Vaughn Towers. Possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages is permitted in the Vaughn Towers at Carter-Finley Stadium provided that such possession and consumption is in accordance with this policy and with the terms of any license agreement applicable to the private suites.

(b) Tailgating. The Chancellor may promulgate regulations authorizing the consumption of alcoholic beverages in connection with tailgating at NC State athletic events.

(c) Possession and consumption in association with lawful sales conducted in Athletic Facilities, including within 500 feet of the Athletic Facility’s furthest exterior building wall, perimeter fence, or permanent fixed perimeter.

(d) On such occasions as the Chancellor shall designate.

4.3.2 Education

(a) Methods must be developed to remind people who travel by car to the large-scale athletic events of the hazards of drinking alcohol and driving. (Example: Public service announcements on the public address system or radio.)

(b) Admissions personnel working at the various Athletic Facilities must participate in a special alcohol awareness program established by NC State.

4.4 Further Limitations

4.4.1 The Chancellor may promulgate regulations further limiting the service, possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages.

4.4.2 The Chancellor also may require NC State units or employees to obtain the Chancellor’s permission before:

(a) sponsoring an event at which alcoholic beverages will be served, possessed or consumed; or
(b) allowing use of any NC State facilities for an event at which alcoholic beverages will be served, possessed or consumed.

The Chancellor may grant exceptions to this policy on occasion upon his or her discretion.

5. PURCHASE AND SALE OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES

5.1 Sale of Alcoholic Beverages

5.1.1 The sale of alcoholic beverages is prohibited except at:

(a) the hotel and conference center on Centennial Campus;
(b) the Lonnie Poole Golf Course;
(c) the Park Alumni Center;
(d) the University Club;
(e) Stewart Theatre and the upper level of Thompson Hall;
(f) restaurants, eating establishments, food businesses, or retail businesses on Centennial Campus;
(g) approved events on Centennial Campus at which the holder of a malt beverage special event permit or winery special event permit may conduct sales of malt beverages or wine;
(h) Athletic Facilities, including that area within 500 feet of the athletic facility’s furthest exterior building wall, perimeter fence, or permanent fixed perimeter.

5.1.2 All sales must be made in accordance with North Carolina law.

5.1.3 The service of alcoholic beverages at a NC State-sponsored fundraising event at which there is a fee charged to attend the event shall not be construed as a sale provided there is no separate charge for the alcoholic beverages that are served and a permit is issued by the ABC Commission for the service of alcohol at the event. A NC State-sponsored wine or malt beverage tasting event or other event held for fundraising purposes at which unopened bottles may be sold pursuant to a permit issued by the ABC Commission also shall not be considered a sale under this policy.

5.2 Purchase of Alcoholic Beverages

The purchase of alcoholic beverages with student fees or State-appropriated or Federal funds is prohibited.

6. COMPLIANCE

6.1 Violations of this policy shall be regarded as University disciplinary violations, which may (at the discretion of NC State) be adjudicated at the University level in addition to being adjudicated in the court system.

6.2 In circumstances in which alcohol is indicated to be a factor of a disciplinary violation, students and employees may be required to participate in an alcohol assessment program.

6.3 An individual violating law or NC State policy while intoxicated remains responsible for his or her actions. 6.4 An organization failing to comply with this policy will forfeit its opportunity to receive student fee support.

6.5 At parties or events held on property within the jurisdiction of this policy, violation of this policy may lead to the termination of the event by either a NC State staff person and/or a University Police official and initiation of disciplinary action against the event sponsor.

6.6 Intoxicated/disorderly persons will be barred from entering NC State’s facilities or events or will be evicted from the facilities or events at the discretion of University Police and in accordance with University Police protocol.

6.7. Persons found in possession of alcoholic beverages within any Athletic Facility during athletic events, except as otherwise permitted herein, will forfeit their game or event ticket(s) and be expelled from the game or event.

7. EVENTS AND ALCOHOL EDUCATION

7.1 Events subject to this policy must be conducted in a way that demonstrates sensitivity to the issues relevant to alcohol consumption. These issues include, but are not limited to, the propensity of persons to develop a dependence on alcohol, the effect of alcohol on academic performance, NC State’s legal liability, vandalism as it relates to alcohol abuse, the rights of persons over the age of 21 to consume alcohol, and social pressure to drink created by certain social situations. NC State recognizes that it cannot and should not take responsibility for every decision made about alcohol by members of the NC State community. Rather, what it seeks to do is create a positive environment in which to make those decisions.

7.2 The use of alcohol at events on the campus of NC State must conform to the applicable laws of North Carolina, City of Raleigh, and NC State policies and regulations.

7.3 Alcohol education and training programs which include, but are not limited to the use, misuse, and non-use of alcoholic beverages, the effects of alcohol on the body, and the cultural, social, economic and legal aspects of alcohol will be made available to the NC State community. All NC State departments and units that conduct events involving the service of alcoholic beverages are strongly encouraged to take advantage of these programs.

7.4 Games or contests which reward the capacity to consume large amounts of alcohol or consume it quickly are prohibited. Alcoholic beverages, including kegs or cases of beer, shall not be provided as awards to individual students or student organizations.

7.5 Except as required by law, regulation or ordinance, no person shall be denied access to any event where alcohol is served on the basis of age. NC State does not encourage the violation of the drinking age law, but wishes to ensure that no person shall be prohibited from attending an event or participating fully in the program benefits offered, within the limits of the law, solely on the basis of his or her age.