Approver(s):

Academic Council

Authorizes Release:

Vice President for Administration and Finance

Responsible Area:

University Police Department

Review Cycle:

Annually or as required

Last Review:

October 2023

Related Policies and Additional References:

None

Overview

Members of the campus community and visitors at St. Mary’s University are expected to comply with Texas State Law and exercise responsible behavior when consuming alcoholic beverages on campus, whether provided at an event or purchased at the Pub. Access to the Pub is limited to members of the University community, Alumni and accompanied guests.

In accordance with Texas State Law, the University does not permit persons younger than 21 years of age to purchase, possess, consume, or be served alcohol. Prior to being served, the age of persons consuming alcohol must be verified by Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) certified servers or University Police.

Aramark is the University’s exclusive food and beverage service provider (including alcoholic beverages), and alcohol service on campus, including service at the Pub, is subject to Aramark’s beer and wine license.

St. Mary’s University police officers are required at all events where alcohol is served. Officer coverage is determined in consultation with the University Chief of Police and is based on the size and nature of the event. Officers scheduled for events have the authority to call in extra officers at the expense of the department or organization hosting the event if crowd size merits. Waiver of this requirement must be requested in writing and approved by the Vice President for Administration and Finance, University Chief of Police, Dean of Students (if students are attending the event) and Vice President of the area requesting the waiver. The President’s approval is required for areas not reporting to a Vice President. Generally, waivers will not be approved for sponsored events which include undergraduate students.

Service may be suspended to any person who, in the judgment of the TABC certified server or the University Police, is at risk for over-consumption. Persons may not leave a TABC approved service area with alcoholic beverages, and no alcoholic beverages may be brought into a TABC approved service area.

Sponsored Events Where Alcohol is Served

Non-alcoholic beverages and free food must be available for the duration of the event when alcohol is served. The cost of food and non-alcoholic beverages is the responsibility of the sponsoring department.

Alcohol may not be served before 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, or before noon on Saturday or Sunday. Service will cease one-half hour before the end of the event or closing, subject to requirements of state law and the TABC. Alcohol may not be consumed until the event coordinator and University Police officer(s) are present and the non-alcoholic beverage and food are readily accessible to those in attendance.

All event sponsors are cautioned that the condition of the facility/area used is their sole responsibility. Sponsors will be assessed the cost of cleaning and/or repairing all damages that occur during the event unless the responsible person(s) can be identified.

Changes to service hours must be requested in writing and approved by the Vice President for Administration and Finance, University Chief of Police, Dean of Students (if students are attending the event) and Vice President of the area requesting the waiver. The President’s approval is required for areas not reporting to a Vice President.

Events which permit participants bring their own beverages require approval in writing by Aramark, the Dean of Students, the University Chief of Police and the President.

Policy Compliance

Failure to comply with these or any other St. Mary’s University regulations or policies may result in event cancellation or termination. Additionally, University disciplinary action may be initiated in accordance with the procedures outlined in the Code of Student Conduct (students), Personnel Manual (staff), or Faculty Handbook (faculty). Disciplinary action imposed by the University may precede and be in addition to penalties imposed by law enforcement authorities on or off campus.

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