Alcohol at Events Policy

Policy Number: 05.0003

Purpose

The Alcohol at Events Policy (“Policy”) supports the University Policy on Drugs and Alcohol and further clarifies the requirements related to gatherings and events on university-owned or controlled property, or hosted with the support of the university to ensure their compliance with regulations.

Scope

This policy applies to all faculty and staff (collectively “Employees”), students of The New School’s New York campus, as well as outside parties who host events on NYC university-owned or -controlled property.

Definitions

• To Serve alcoholic beverages shall mean to give away, deliver, or otherwise provide alcoholic beverages to any person by any means other than by sale to such person.
• To Sell alcoholic beverages shall mean, without limitation, (1) selling alcoholic beverages at cash bars, (2) serving alcoholic beverages at events to which admission tickets are sold or for which fees are charged, either by the event or for a period of time (e.g., entertainment charge or annual dues), entitling the purchaser access to an open bar, and (3) serving alcoholic beverages at parties for which contributions or donations are sought to offset costs of the party.
• A University Event is a gathering or activity which is affiliated with The New School, defined as meeting at least one of the below criteria:
• Conducted under the name of The New School or one of its colleges, schools, institutes, departments, clubs, or other university organizations
• Paid for, even partially, by university funds
• Organized by university students, faculty, or staff
• Endorsed by the university by sending students, staff, and faculty to participate as official university representatives
• A Venue Lease is when an outside organization contractually rents university-owned or -controlled property for their gathering or special event and assumes liability for their activities.

Responsibilities

• All individuals to whom this Policy applies are responsible for becoming familiar with and following this Policy. All Employees with student oversight duties or who are involved in event planning are responsible for promoting the understanding of this Policy and for taking appropriate steps to help ensure and enforce compliance with it.
• Chaperone: Full-time or part-time staff or faculty member of the university who is responsible for the health and safety of attendees at a University Event where alcohol will be present. Chaperones are the primary campus contact and must be in attendance for the duration of the event. Students, whether undergraduate or graduate (except for Teaching Assistants or Graduate Assistants employed by the university), may not serve in this role. The Chaperone and Event Organizer may be the same faculty or staff member.
• Event Organizer: Faculty, staff, or student responsible for all aspects of a University Event, including adherence to this Policy. The Chaperone and Event Organizer may be the same faculty or staff member.
• Finance: Policy owner and responsible for overall implementation, promotion, enforcement, and maintenance of the Policy and related procedures. Additionally, they vet and approve catering/bartending service providers, generate contracts related to events, execute Landlord Authorization Forms, and collect Catering Permits.
• Office of the General Counsel: Supports this Policy through interpretation of applicable legislation.
• Venue Leasing: Responsible for enforcing this Policy with all Venue Leases.

Policy

The sale/service of alcohol is not permitted on university-owned or -controlled property (including Venue Leases) unless all requirements listed in the Procedure have been met. Failure to comply with this Policy will result in cancellation of alcohol service or termination of the event, depending on the nature of the violation. Employees, students, and Venue Lessees may be subject to additional sanctions as outlined under Enforcement.

Alcoholic beverages may only be purchased, provided, and served by a licensed caterer. Individuals may not bring, supply, or consume personally obtained alcoholic beverages (“BYOB”) at any University Event or Venue Lease.

Off-premise University Events must adhere to all existing university policies, including the University Policy on Drugs and Alcohol and the Business Expense Policy. The venue or caterer for an off-premise event must hold all licenses and permits required under applicable state and local law to serve alcohol at the event location, and be able to furnish copies of these documents upon request. They must also maintain current liquor liability insurance with coverage appropriate for the services to be provided and provide a Certificate of Insurance naming the University as an additional insured.

Procedure

The below procedure is for university events serving alcohol at the New York City campus.

Requirements for University Events Serving Alcohol

Any event on university-owned or -controlled property which seeks to serve alcohol must meet the below requirements:

1. Timeline. Requests for such events must be made 30-45 days in advance depending on the nature of the request to allow enough time for contracts and permits to be executed. See Alcohol at Events Request Process for instructions.
2. Location. Alcohol is never permitted in residence halls or in locations that are intended primarily for academic or student use (e.g. classrooms, libraries). Additional restrictions apply to owned versus leased buildings. See Approved Venues for Alcohol Service for list of the only on-campus event locations approved for alcohol service.
3. Audience. All events where alcohol will be served must be by invitation or require advanced registration/tickets.
   Alcohol may not be served during classes, academic functions, or at any events that require students to be in attendance (e.g. end of semester parties). Per the University Policy on Drugs and Alcohol, undergraduate students, even those who have attained the minimum legal New York State purchase and consumption age of 21, are prohibited from possessing or consuming any alcoholic beverage at any University Event, whether the event is on campus or not. University Events intended primarily for persons under the age of 21 or for undergraduate students should be alcohol-free.
4. Event Organizer. University Events serving alcohol must be organized by a faculty or staff member. Alcohol is not permitted at University Events organized by students, including the University Student Senate and Registered Student Organizations (RSOs).
5. Chaperone. A faculty or staff Chaperone must be identified for all University Events and must be in attendance for the duration of the event.
6. Catering & Bartending. An approved caterer must be hired for all events. The caterer must have the proper licenses, insurance, and service training. See Alcoholic Beverage Catering for requirements and list of approved providers. All food, alcohol, and bartending staff must be furnished by this provider - outside food and beverage are not permitted.
   A maximum of three alcoholic beverages per person is permitted. The use of tabbed wristbands or drink tickets is required at any event where students, including student workers, will be in attendance. As noted below, only graduate students who are of legal drinking age may consume alcohol at a university event - undergraduate students may not receive drink tickets or tabbed wristbands to redeem for alcoholic beverages.
   Food and non-alcoholic beverages must be provided in sufficient quantities and in a manner commensurate with the availability of alcoholic beverages to discourage intoxication. Light snacks such as chips, pretzels, popcorn, or candy do not meet the minimum food requirement. Acceptable food options such as sandwiches or wraps, pizza, pasta dishes, sliders, salads, cheese and charcuterie platters, or other comparable offerings.
7. Permit. The caterer will be required to apply for a Catering Permit or Off-Site Event Permit, depending on their liquor license, from the State Liquor Authority (SLA) of NY. A separate permit is required for each location and each day of the event. Permits must be provided to Finance ten (10) days prior to the event and displayed during the event. Failure to receive the permit in time will result in cancellation of your alcohol service.
   Permit applications must be accompanied by a signed Landlord Authorization Form, which is part of our standard catering contract template in MyNewSource. The Director of Asset and Risk Management & Assistant Treasurer may authorize these forms on behalf of the university.
8. Proof of Age. Bartenders must request proof of age in compliance with New York State laws, and may not serve anyone who seems to be intoxicated or is known to the server to be a problem drinker. Persons under the legal age for consumption are prohibited from possessing any alcoholic beverage at a University Event or Venue Lease, whether the event is on campus or not. Undergraduate students are prohibited from possessing or consuming any alcoholic beverage at any university event, even if they meet the legal drinking age under New York State law.
9. Advertising & Signage. The availability of alcoholic beverages cannot be used in advertisements for the event. In addition to the permit, visible signage must be displayed at all events with alcohol that reads, “Alcoholic beverages may only be served to and consumed by persons 21 years of age or older.”

Request Process

See Alcohol at Events Request Process.

Enforcement

Failure to comply with this Policy will result in cancellation of alcohol service or termination of the event, depending on the nature of the violation. It may also result in the loss of the right to serve alcohol at a future event.

Violation of this Policy by any student or Employee is considered a violation of the University Policy on Drugs and Alcohol. Individuals will be subject to the sanctions and disciplinary actions described therein.

Outside organizations via Venue Leases who are found in violation of this Policy will be required to remove all prohibited items, have their event terminated, and/or be referred to the authorities, depending on the severity of the situation.

In addition to actions taken by the university, members of the university community should be advised that they may also be subject to prosecution in accordance with federal, state, and local laws. See Drugs and Alcohol Laws, Regulations, and Legal Sanctions for details.

Policy Administration

Responsible University Official: VP of Finance & Budget and CFO

Responsible Office: Finance

Contact Information: COI@newschool.edu

Policy History

Effective Date: January 15, 2026

Last Reviewed Date: January 15, 2026

Next Review Date: January 15, 2031 (every 5 years)

Revision History:

• 1/15/26: As of 4/11/25, service of alcohol at events was paused via interim policy. Formal policy and procedures for service of alcohol approved and implemented 1/15/26.