Georgia Tech is committed to maintaining a safe and inviting campus environment for its community members and visitors. This policy, in conjunction with the Student/Student Organization Alcohol and Other Drug Policy and the Employee Alcohol and Illegal Drug Use Policy, provides a consistent approach to alcohol usage on-campus and at official Georgia Tech events, and adheres to federal, state, and local laws and ordinances, as well as Board of Regents' policy.
It is important that all members of the Georgia Tech community and visitors to the Georgia Tech campus follow this policy. In doing so, Georgia Tech will be able to allow alcohol to be served in a responsible manner that respects the best interests of all.
All persons must comply with federal, state, and local laws and the policies of Georgia Tech and the Board of Regents governing the use, possession, manufacture, distribution, dispensation, and sale of alcoholic beverages while on the Georgia Tech campus and at Georgia Tech events either on- or off-campus.
Alcohol may be served at Georgia Tech events on-campus only with prior approval from the Office of the President or its designees. Once approval has been received, the Georgia Tech organizer must comply with the procedures outlined in this policy.
Tailgates are permitted without prior authorization for Georgia Tech sporting events and certain other campus events as announced by the Office of the President, but hosts and participants will be expected to abide by the procedures outlined in this policy.
This policy does not apply to the lawful use of alcohol in campus residences.
All persons must comply with this policy while on the Georgia Tech campus and/or while attending, organizing, or supervising Georgia Tech events either on- or off-campus.
Campus
Institute-owned or leased buildings, grounds and property, including sidewalks and streets within campus boundaries.
Georgia Tech Events
Any event or activity (either on- or off-campus) organized, sponsored, or supervised by a Georgia Tech college, school, office, department, unit, or affiliate. Events or activities organized, sponsored, or supervised by a Georgia Tech student organization are governed by the Student/Student Organization Alcohol and Other Drug Policy.
Compliance with all applicable laws and policies is required for all events, whether on or off campus. Prior approval is only required for events on campus.Off campus events do not require prior approval.
Organizer
The Georgia Tech college, school, office, department, unit, or affiliate organizing, sponsoring, and/or supervising the Georgia Tech event.
Tailgate
A social event occurring on-campus (usually in parking areas at or around the football stadium, basketball pavilion, or other sports arenas) before, during, and after games and concerts.
Trained Server
A trained server used to monitor the service and consumption of alcohol. Trainings include but are not limited to TIPS (Training Intervention Procedures for Servers), and ServSafe Alcohol.
A. Georgia Tech Events
Alcohol Prior Approval Form
Organizers of Georgia Tech events on-campus where alcohol is to be served must submit an Alcohol Approval Form prior to the event in order to receive approval from the Office of the President or its designees. Three individuals are authorized to approve such events:
- President or designee
- Provost
- Executive Vice President for Administration and Finance
On-campus events with alcohol where students are invited must be approved in advance by the Vice President for Student Affairs or designee before submission to the above.
Organizers are responsible for securing prior approval and compliance with related policies (see Related Information section).
Designated Responsible Employee
All Georgia Tech events held on-campus must have a designated responsible full-time Georgia Tech employee who is present during the entire event. This can be a member of the faculty, staff, or a campus police officer.
Funding
Any moneys used to pay for alcohol at Georgia Tech events must be taken from non-state, personal, or other private sources. Information on allowable funding sources can found in the Allowable Cost Matrix.
Identification
If students are invited or attend a Georgia Tech event, organizers should ensure the identification of all individuals being served alcohol is checked so that alcoholic beverages are not served or made available to any individual under the lawful drinking age.
Kegs & Common Containers
Kegs and other common usage containers (such as punch bowls or frozen drink machines) for alcoholic beverages may be used only if there is distribution by a vendor with a proper alcohol license.
Over-Serving
Organizers must ensure that no noticeably intoxicated person is given or allowed to consume any additional alcoholic beverage from the Georgia Tech event.
Food
Organizers must ensure that non-alcoholic beverages and food are provided in reasonable quantity, in the same general area, and for the same time period, as the alcoholic beverages are accessible at the Georgia Tech event.
Student Attendance
The following provisions apply if students are invited or attend a Georgia Tech event:
- Attendance at the Georgia Tech event must be completely voluntary. Required attendance may not occur and even the perception of required attendance should always be avoided. The prominent display of alcohol should be avoided at Georgia Tech events on-campus where students are invited and/or are passing by the event.
- Access to the alcoholic beverages must be controlled through a central point of distribution by a vendor with a proper alcohol license or a trained server and through the use of sober monitors. Control is for the purpose of restricting use by those under the legal drinking age and/or who are obviously intoxicated.
Insurance
Insurance & Claims Management will determine insurance requirements for Georgia Tech events held on-campus and may require certificates of insurance when events require the use of campus facilities. Organizers should complete the Special Events Questionnaire prior to the event.
Department Policies
Georgia Tech buildings, colleges, schools, offices, departments, units, or affiliates may have additional policies and procedures relating to events and activities they sponsor. Those policies should not conflict with this Campus Alcohol Policy. Organizers should check with the appropriate organizations in advance.
Compliance with all applicable laws and policies is required for all events, whether on or off campus. Prior approval is only required for events on campus. Off campus events do not require prior approval.
B. Alcohol On-Campus
Sale of Alcohol
The sale of alcoholic beverages on-campus is generally not permitted. Exceptions may be approved by the Office of the President where the sale is by a vendor with a proper alcohol license in accordance with state and local law.
Open Container
No one shall conspicuously display open containers of alcoholic beverages (open beer or liquor cans/bottles) in any public location on-campus, including but not limited to, grounds, sidewalks, and streets within campus boundaries (with the exception of privately owned or leased grounds within campus boundaries).
Advertising
The posted advertisement of alcoholic beverages on-campus is not permitted. Georgia Tech colleges, schools, offices, departments, units, and affiliates are prohibited from advertising alcoholic beverages. No promotion or advertising on-campus of incentive drinking (happy hours,2-for1 specials, unlimited quantities of alcohol available or at reduced prices or free, events focusing on the consumption of alcohol, etc.) is permitted.
All Georgia Tech organizers should seek promotional sponsorship and support for campus events from vendors other than purveyors of alcoholic beverages.
C. Tailgating
Tailgates
Tailgates are permitted without prior authorization for Georgia Tech sporting events and certain other campus events as announced by the Office of the President, but hosts and participants will be expected to abide by the procedures outlined in this policy section. Gameday Parking information can be found on the Parking and Transportation Services website.
Drinking Age
Tailgate hosts must ensure that no person under the legal drinking age of 21 will consume or possess any alcoholic beverage from the tailgate.
Over-Serving
Tailgate hosts must ensure that no obviously intoxicated person is given or allowed to consume any additional alcoholic beverage from the tailgate.
Kegs & Common Containers
Tailgate hosts and guests must not use kegs or other common containers for alcoholic beverages.
Conduct
Tailgate hosts and guests must not engage in any disorderly, profane, and/or indecent conduct or misbehavior that would interfere or disrupt the peaceful activities of others.
Time
Tailgates are limited to before, during, and after the Georgia Tech event.
Trash
Tailgate hosts and guests must place all trash in the appropriate trash receptacles (no littering). Hosts and guests are encouraged to recycle their trash (see Office of Solid Waste Management and Recycling for more information).
Unless otherwise stated by law, each individual retains responsibility for his or her own actions at all times regardless of his or her mental or physical state, even if altered by alcoholic beverages or other drugs. Georgia Tech colleges, schools, departments, units, and affiliates may develop and enforce additional group/individual standards which are more restrictive than those established in this policy.
Persons who violate the law may be subject to arrest or citation. Georgia Tech employees and students may also be referred to the appropriate Institute authority for disciplinary sanctions for policy violations. Visitors who violate the law or Georgia Tech policies may also be required to leave the campus.
| Revision Date | Author | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 11/2002 | Office of the President | New Policy |
| 06/2013 | Legal Affairs and Risk Management | Update to policy and revised approval procedures. |
| 10/2021 | Administration and Finance | Editorial Update. |
| 06/2023 | Administration and Finance | Editorial Update. |