Before You Register
Are you ready to register your social event? That depends! Click through the tabs below to answer key questions before you submit your registration for review.
Who is hosting this social event? Who will be invited to attend?
- Is this event hosted by students? Will our student group host this event, or will we share responsibility with another organization(s) as co-hosts? If the event is hosted by staff/faculty, please visit our Staff/faculty events section for more information.
- Who’s invited to this event? What is the capacity of the space?
- How will we gauge interest and ensure the anticipated number of guests does not exceed capacity? Should we create a registration/check-in process?
What type of social event would we like to host? What’s the purpose of our event? What would we like your community to get out of the event?
- Will alcohol be served at this event, or will it be a dry event? Dry events for which students can reserve space on campus are not required to register through University Life (e.g., organizational meetings, grab-n-go events, etc.). A dry social event taking place at an off-campus residence should submit a Dry Events form.
- Is there a theme? Themes that could be interpreted as cultural appropriation and/or cause harm to specific groups/identities will not be tolerated.
- What kinds of activities would guests enjoy doing?
When will we host this social event?
- If we’d like to host our event on this date, by when must we submit the appropriate event registration form? For events with alcohol, registrations must be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event date. For dry social events, registrations must be submitted at least one week prior.
- Are we able to host a registered social event on our desired date? Check out the 2025-2026 key dates section to learn more. What are some back-up dates?
- What would we like the timing of our event to be? What works best for our community and guests’ schedules?
Where will we host this social event?
- Does our organization have its own space suitable for social events, or do we need to reserve space? Would we like to have our event on campus or off campus? Would a third-party venue be best?
- If it makes sense to host this event on campus, should we inquire about spaces in Houston Hall or the ARCH? What about within one of Penn’s cultural resource centers, like the LGBT Center, or maybe there’s an academic building that makes sense? If we’d like to go off campus, what type/size of space are we looking for?
- Would we like to have this event outside? Do we need to arrange for transportation? Do we need to consult with other offices (e.g., the Division of Public Safety) about any aspects of our event?
How will we pay for this event? How will we make this social event a success?
- What costs do we anticipate (e.g., decorations, space, food)? Do we have funds available, or should we seek funding from other sources?
- Who will register this event with University Life? Who is our primary point of contact? How will we recruit the appropriate number of sober host monitors?
- How can we host an inclusive and accessible event with the resources we have available? How will we effectively manage risk and create a fun, safe atmosphere for guests?
Submit Your Registration Form
The final days to host registered social events for the undergraduate student community are April 23-25, with the exception of events at third-party venues which can take place on Wednesday, April 29 (last day of classes).
For the graduate/professional student community, May 1-3 is the final day to host registered social events during the Spring 2026 semester.
OFSL-recognized fraternities and sorirorities hosting during alumni weekend this year need to register via the Community Care registration form AND the OFSL application provided to them by their OFSL advisor.*
The registration and application are all due by April 29, 2026 11:59 pm.
*When applicable, registration deadlines/opening and closing dates set forth by other key stakeholders such as a group’s advisor or coach supersede those outlined here (see the stakeholders tab of the Policies & guidelines section).
There is one registration form for all event types.
Groups should submit their registration for an event with alcohol at least 10 business days prior to the event date. For dry social events, registration should be submitted at least 5 business days before the event date.
2025-2026 Key Dates
Please Note:
The below dates are subject to change. In collaboration with relevant offices, the Associate Director for Community Care reserves the right to determine a maximum number of registered events that are permitted to take place during a given weekend. Lastly, during Reading Days and Final Exams, undergraduate student programming is restricted to educational events and study breaks only; end-of-year celebrations or formals are not permitted during this time.
2025 Fall Semester
Thursday, July 31 → Registration opens for social events beginning on August 28.
Thursday, August 14 → Last day* to submit registrations for events with alcohol happening August 28-30.
Tuesday, August 26 → First day of classes
Thursday, August 28 → First day* to host registered social events for undergraduate student community.
Major Event Weekend protocol in place (see FAQs to learn more)
Monday, September 1 → Labor Day (no classes)
October 9-12 → Fall Term Break
October 16 → Last day* to submit registrations for events with alcohol happening October 30 – November 1.
October 23 → Last day* to submit registrations for events with alcohol happening November 6-8 (Homecoming).
October 30 – November 1 → Major Event Weekend protocol in place (see FAQs to learn more)
November 6-8 → Major Event Weekend protocol in place (see FAQs to learn more)
November 27-30 → Thanksgiving Break
December 4-6 → Final days* to host registered social events for undergraduate student community. (Events at third-party venues or reservable spaces on campus are permitted on Sunday, December 7)
Major Event Weekend protocol in place (see FAQs to learn more)
Monday, December 8 → Last day of classes
December 9-10 → Reading Days
December 11-18 → Final Examinations
Sunday, December 14 → Final day* to host registered social events for graduate/professional student communities.
*When applicable, registration deadlines/opening and closing dates set forth by other key stakeholders such as a group’s advisor or coach supersede those outlined above (see the stakeholders tab of the Policies & guidelines section).
2026 Spring Semester
Friday, January 2 → Last day* to submit registrations for events with alcohol happening January 15-17.
Wednesday, January 14 → First day of classes (Monday classes)
Thursday, January 15 → First day* to host registered social events for undergraduate & graduate/professional student communities.
Monday, January 19 → MLK, Jr. Day observed (no classes)
February 26-28 → Final days* to host registered social events for undergraduate student community before Spring Break
Thursday, March 5 → Last day* to submit registrations for events with alcohol happening March 19-21 .
March 7-16 → Spring Term Break
March 19-21 → Major Event Weekend protocol in place (see FAQs to learn more)
April 17-18 → Major Event Weekend protocol in place (see FAQs to learn more)
April 23-25 → Final days* to host registered social events at residences for undergraduate student community.
Major Event Weekend protocol in place (see FAQs to learn more)
Wednesday, April 29 →
- Last day of classes
- Final day* to host registered social events at third-party venues or reservable spaces on campus for undergraduate student community
- Last day* to submit registrations for alumni-hosted events with alcohol happening May 15-17 (Alumni Weekend)
April 30 – May 3 → Reading Days
May 4-12 → Final examinations
Sunday, May 10 → Final day* to host registered social events for graduate/professional student communities
May 15-17 → Alumni Weekend. Major Event Weekend protocol in place (see FAQs to learn more) limited to registered student organizations.
Monday, May 18 → Commencement
*When applicable, registration deadlines/opening and closing dates set forth by other key stakeholders such as a group’s advisor or coach supersede those outlined above (see the stakeholders tab of the Policies & guidelines section).