University Policies
A. Alcohol and UCARE Training
Student organizations that serve alcohol at Law School events take on great responsibility, not only to follow the law, but also to take appropriate precautions to prevent physical or emotional injury from drinking. Only moderate consumption of alcohol is permitted at LSSO events. If a student organization plans to serve alcohol at an event, then the leadership of the organization and any servers must complete UCARE training (more information on UCARE training is below). The organization also must designate a faculty or staff member to be present and responsible for any on-campus event at which alcohol is served. If your organization plans to serve alcohol at an event, regardless of whether the event is on-campus or off-campus, you must contact the Office of the Dean of Students for approval at least 1 week in advance of the event. The Office of the Dean of Students will generally only approve 1 event where alcohol is served per week, including Wine Mess. Exceptions will be granted at the Dean of Students’ discretion. Non-salty food and non-alcoholic drinks must be provided at all events at which alcohol will be served.
LSSOs that are also RSOs also must adhere to any applicable ORCSA alcohol policies. For additional information on ORCSA alcohol policies, student organizations should contact their ORCSA advisor and review the information available at https://studentactivities.uchicago.edu/facilities/alcohol.shtml.
Please note that the requirement to obtain approval from the Office of the Dean of Students does not apply to student organization events taking place at commercial establishments where non-students serve alcohol (bars, pubs, etc.), so long as no student organization funds of any kind (LSSO funding, LSA funding, ORCSA funding, etc.) are spent on the event. The requirement to make available non-salty food and non-alcoholic drinks applies to all LSSO events serving alcohol, including events located at commercial establishments where non-students serve alcohol.
University Alcohol Policy: A complete description of the University Alcohol Policy is available in the Student Manual of University Policies and Regulations, which is available online at:
http://studentmanual.uchicago.edu/university/index.shtml#alcohol.
A synopsis of that policy follows:
The University prohibits all students and employees from the unlawful manufacture, possession, use, distribution, sale, or purchase of alcohol and illicit drugs on University premises or as part of any University activity. The University allows moderate consumption and/or possession of alcohol on University premises at approved functions (e.g., receptions) by those legally permitted to consume or distribute alcohol. Such functions must comply with all applicable University guidelines.
All members of the University community are responsible for full awareness of the requirements of federal and Illinois statutes and Chicago ordinances concerning the consumption, possession, and sale of alcohol. The University expects each member of the community to be responsible for his or her own conduct and the consequences of that conduct. Illinois law prohibits the consumption or possession of alcohol by persons under the age of 21 and the supplying of alcohol to any person under the age of 21.
Alcoholic beverages may not be served at any event at which undergraduates are present unless prior written approval has been obtained at least one week in advance by the Office of the Dean of Students. For events at which only graduate students over the age of 21 will be present, permission may be granted by the Office of the Dean of Students.
UCARE Training: Student organizations that plan to serve alcoholic beverages at their functions must have the organization’s leadership and servers complete alcohol risk management training (UCARE) offered online by the Student Care Center. Information about the online training is available at: https://wellness.uchicago.edu/ucare.shtml.
B. No Outside Bank Accounts
Student organizations may not maintain bank accounts outside of the University accounting system. Non-University of Chicago accounts for student organizations jeopardize the University’s status with the Internal Revenue Service, and can nullify an organization’s eligibility to use the University of Chicago name or to benefit from its non-profit status.