SA - Fraternity & Sorority Life Social Event Policy

Purpose 
The purpose of the policy set forth in this document is to establish accountability for the fraternities and sororities at Wilmington College, and to provide guidance in managing risks for their organizations in social settings.

Good Faith 
No policy can include all possible circumstances. When this document is not specific enough chapters are expected to act within the expressed intent of the policy.

Social Expectation

• All fraternities/sororities will comply with their local, regional, or inter/national policies regarding alcohol and risk management.

• All fraternities/sororities will participate in semesterly risk management institute, sober monitor training, TIPS training, and social event education.

• All fraternities/sororities must have a crisis management plan (fire, medical, etc.) on file with the Office of Greek life.

• All fraternities/sororities will comply with Wilmington College policies, as well as state, local, and federal laws.

• All fraternities/sororities will comply with council policies and procedures.

At the start of each semester, before hosting an event, each chapter must complete the following:

• The President, Risk Management Chair, and Social Chair(s) must attend social event education,

• The chapter must have trained sober monitors,

• The chapter must have TIPS trained sober monitors,

• The chapter must have 100%-chapter attendance from the previous semester’s risk management institute,

• Crisis management plan. 
   

If a chapter does not participate in the above listed requirements, they will not be eligible to host chapter social events until they complete the necessary items.

Defined as a social event that takes place on or off campus that is by invite-only and requires formal attire but is classified by the chapter as semi-formal (whether for dress attire, who is planning it or when in the school year it happens).

Travel

When chapters plan a social event that requires them to host the event outside of the surrounding Wilmington area. If members are far enough away from where they live that requires them to stay overnight (camping, hotel stay, resort, etc.).

*A chapter function event requiring approval from Student Affairs is defined as any gathering where attendance exceeds 30 people. Please note that a variance o this number may be adjusted as a result of communication with the Director of Engagement & Fraternity/Sorority Life in conjunction with chapter size.

Party Definition:

A “party” is defined as a gathering that is scheduled, arranged, or announced by the Chapter; or when a member or members of the Chapter planned, solicited funds for, or promoted the gathering in a manner that created a reasonable belief that the event has been organized, hosted, sponsored, or co-sponsored by the chapter; where the anticipated number of attendees exceeds 30 students; AND/OR Where alcohol is present. This includes but is not limited to formals, invitation party, and semi-formal.

A “chapter function” is defined as recruitment activities, philanthropic projects, alumni events, travel events, chapter requirements, events that are academic in nature, exchange, or community service events unless the fraternity or sorority intends to include alcohol at the event. The term social does not include a chapter meeting or gathering where only chapter members are in attendance.

General Social Guidelines

• The event’s theme must not have any suggestion of discrimination based on sex, race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, age, marital status, national origin, disability, or veteran status. Insensitivity to groups is not acceptable as well as suggestions of alcohol and drugs are prohibited.

• Alcohol is not permitted at any community service, philanthropic, fundraising, recruitment or new member education event including but not limited to big/little nights and initiation.

• Chapter members, sober monitors, and/or event security have the right to refuse and/or excuse intoxicated, violent, or otherwise disorderly guests at any time.

• No parties or chapter programming should occur, after the last day of scheduled classes each semester and during finals.

• Parties will be PROHIBITED during the following weeks/weekends of the school year:

  -  During Formal Rush Events

  -  During the 4-week New Member Season following New Member Education

  -  During Spring Break

  -  Exam Week

• No one under the age of 21 should be allowed alcohol in the event or consumed at the event.

• Third-Party

  -  Third-Party event is when the event is held at an off-campus licensed and insured (e.g., restaurant, bar, caterer, etc.) venue where alcohol is provided and sold on a per-drink basis.

• All attendees must provide proof of identification upon entrance. Identification must show a photo and date of birth.

  -  Proper forms of identification can include Driver's license, Military ID, State ID or Passport.

  -  Wristbands are to be used to identify attendees after identification has been verified at the entrance of the facility where the social event is taking place.

  -  Unique identification should indicate those attendees who are 21 years of age or older and those who are under 21 years of age.

  -  Wristbands can be picked up at in Pyle Center in the Director of Engagement & Fraternity/Sorority Life Office or Student Affairs at least 48 hours before the scheduled event.

• Hard alcohol is prohibited at all events on chapter property. Single servings of beer and wine, or wine coolers (in non-glass containers) are the only acceptable forms of alcohol at an approved event.

• There are to be no common sources of alcohol. This includes, but is not limited to, any size keg of alcohol, wine bottles, wine bags, party balls, pitchers of alcohol and alcoholic punches.

• The possession or use of any apparatus, including but not limited to beer funnels, used to facilitate the rapid consumption of alcohol are prohibited.

• Drinking games are prohibited.

• Alcohol cannot be purchased with chapter funds, nor may the purchase of it for members or guests be undertaken or coordinated by any member in the name of, or on behalf of the chapter.

  -  This includes using electronic ways of collecting money (Venmo, cash app, etc.).

• Glass containers are prohibited at events. This includes, but is not limited to, beer bottles, wine coolers, and wine bottles. Glass is permitted at third party alcohol events provided the third-party vendor sells glass containers.

• All permitted alcohol must stay in the original container (i.e. no plastic cups).

• Social events are only permitted Wednesday – Saturday unless it’s a travel social event.

• Social event hours are 9pm to 1am unless it’s a travel social event.

Sober Monitors

• All events at which alcohol is present shall have a sober monitor team. If an event is co- sponsored, the sober monitor team will be equally number of members of each chapter.

• Be TIPS Trained. Sober monitor training is offered twice a semester by Counseling Services.

• The number of sober monitors needed consist of 4 monitors.

• At a minimum, a sober monitor team should consist of the following:

  -  At least one (1) chapter executive board member which will act as the head of the sober monitor team. The head of the sober monitor team is the point of contact for the event. This designated person will be the contact for the police and Wilmington College personnel.

  -  At least half of the team members must be age 21 or older. The one (1) executive board member may count towards one of the sober monitors that must be age 21 or older.

  -  No more than one (1) new member can serve as a sober monitor.

• Each sober monitor is required to wear a vest during the event to denote they are sober monitors. Vests will be provided by Student Affairs. Vests must be picked up from the Director of Engagement and Fraternity/Sorority Life at least 48 hours before event and returned 48 hours after the event.

• Sober monitors shall not consume any alcohol or use any illegal drugs or non-prescribed controlled substances at any time during or on the day of the event.

• Duties of a Sober Monitor:

  -  Monitor entrances, or fire exits,

  -  Monitor for intoxicated attendees,

  -  Identify risky behavior,

      -  Can this behavior hurt someone?

      -  Has someone been hurt before with this type of behavior?

      -  Does this behavior violate any laws?

      -  Does this behavior violate any bylaws?

  -  Once a risky behavior is identified then:

      -  Reduce and/or eliminate the behavior by calmly addressing the situation and work with event security to remove the guest/member if needed.

  -  Sober monitor at entrance must track attendance at entrance point.

• Sober monitor must oversee exit point.

Party Allocation

• Party allocation will be based on chapters Grade Point Average (GPA) from the previous semester.

  -  3.5 and above: eight (8) social events in a semester

  -  3.0-3.499: six (6) social events in semester

  -  2.5-2.99: four (4) social events in a semester

  -  Below 2.5: three (3) social events in a semester

• Party and Chapter Functions are defined under Terms.