All members of the Penn student community—undergraduate, graduate, or professional—are expected to follow University policies and local, state, and federal laws always. These expectations extend to social events you may host, whether in on-campus spaces, off-campus residences, or third-party venues. Please read more about relevant policies and guidelines related to hosting a social event below.
- Code of Student Conduct
- The University Alcohol and Other Drug Policy – Provides more information about…
- General rules governing the use of alcohol
- Rules governing alcohol use at registered undergraduate social events
- Rules governing alcohol use at registered graduate and professional student social events
- Relevant federal and state laws
- Sober host monitors
- Drinking contests or games of any sort are expressly prohibited.
- No registered events may be held in basements or on rooftops, whether in on-campus or off-campus residences.
- Any event—registered or not—at which guests are in the basement, on the roof, and/or at risk of falling (e.g., in windows, on walls) will be shut down.
- Kegs of any amount of beer are not permitted at student-run events and are not allowed in any undergraduate or graduate properties/residences affiliated with or identified by Penn.
- When an entity without a liquor license is providing service of alcohol (e.g., at events in off-campus residences or on-campus spaces), the following is prohibited per Pennsylvania law:
- Sales of alcoholic beverages at a cash bar
- Sales of tickets or entrance fees to an event where alcohol is served
- Donations or reimbursements to support the cost of an event where alcohol is served
- Sales of drink tickets or inclusion of drink tickets in entry fees at events where alcohol is served
- No University funds may be used to purchase alcohol for any event sponsored by an undergraduate organization.
- Advertisements/branding of social events should not center around nor promote the availability of alcohol at the event.
- Organizations such as recognized chapters under the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life (OFSL) may be subject to additional expectations set forth by OFSL staff, advisors, or alumni.
- Organizations such as athletic teams or performing arts groups may be subject to additional expectations set forth by coaches, advisors, or sponsors.
- PLEASE NOTE: Additional expectations or guidance implemented by these entities supersede those set forth by the Community Care team when applicable.
- Many University undergraduate student organizations are subject to policies regarding the possession and consumption of alcohol imposed by a parent organization.
- If the policies governing an individual organization impose more restrictive regulations regarding alcohol possession and consumption it will be necessary for that organization to follow its parent organization’s policies or risk sanctions. If, however, the parent organization permits the possession or consumption of alcohol where otherwise prohibited by University policy, the organization must comply with the University’s policy, notwithstanding its parent organization’s rules.
- Organizations that live in, and host events at, private off-campus residences are subject to additional expectations set forth in rental agreements/leases and in personal communications with landlords.
- Fraternities at Penn belong to the IGC and IFC Councils. All NIC (North American Interfraternity Conference) and/or IFC-member fraternities follow the NIC Standard Operating Procedures to enhance safety measures at events. Some of these include:
- The presence of alcohol products above 15% alcohol by volume (ABV) (“hard alcohol”) is prohibited on any chapter/organization premises or at any event, except served by a licensed and insured third-party venue
- Events with alcohol are limited to a 3:1 maximum guest-to-member ratio, meaning the total attendance must not be greater than three times the chapter’s total active membership. For all events, attendance must not exceed the local fire or building code capacity of the host venue.
- Attendance by non-members at any event where alcohol is present must be by invitation only, and the organization must utilize a guest list system.
- Registrations for back-to-back events with alcohol (e.g., an event on Friday and Saturday) will not be cleared to move forward.
- Bartending staff provided by University Life are responsible for serving the alcohol provided by the event host(s).
- Items such as cups, napkins, ice, etc. must also be provided by the host(s).
- Serving alcohol from glass containers is not recommended.
- Service of alcohol at all on-campus registered events must end no later than 1 a.m.; events may continue until 2 a.m.
- Generally, events with alcohol should not exceed more than four hours.
- Security staff provided by University Life is responsible for checking guests’ state-issued IDs at the entrance to the event and providing wristbands to those who are 21+ years old (to indicate they are of legal drinking age).
- If security will not be present, host(s) should discuss with the Associate Director for Community Care and/or their advisor an alternative plan to ensure only guests of legal drinking age are consuming alcohol at the event.
- In partnership with the University of Pennsylvania Police Department (UPPD), University Life’s Event Observers are responsible for working with host(s) to manage risk and promote student safety at events happening on campus or in an off-campus residence.
- Event host(s) and guests are expected to comply with UPPD and Event Observers’ requests and act respectfully.
- Even if your organization has registered your event, UPPD and/or the Event Observers can still shut down the event.
- Registered outside events are subject to automatic cancellation in the case of inclement weather.
- Events taking place at on-or-off campus residential properties have a maximum capacity limit of 100 guests.
- Decoration plans must be reviewed in advance of your event confirmation.