Yale College
Office of the Dean

Student Affairs Office
105 SSS, 432-2908

August 2002

TO: Yale College Students

FROM: Betty Trachtenberg, Dean of Student Affairs

SUBJECT: Policies on Social Functions and Alcoholic Beverages

I call to your attention the Yale College regulations on social functions and on the service of alcoholic beverages. These policies, which have been adopted by the Dean of Yale College and the Council of Masters, are incorporated into the Undergraduate Regulations and must be followed at all social events planned by your organization.

The policy on alcoholic beverages (see Chapter XIII of the Undergraduate Regulations) reflects the University's recognition of its obligation to comply with the Connecticut liquor laws, and its expectation that members of the Yale community will do likewise. To remind you, Connecticut law prohibits the direct or indirect sale of alcoholic beverages except by the holder of a valid liquor permit. The University does not hold such a permit for undergraduate social functions. The law not only prohibits the sale of alcoholic beverages (by a permittee) to persons under the legal drinking age, but further provides that it is illegal for any person to "deliver" or "give" alcoholic beverages to an underage person. The legal drinking age in Connecticut is 21. It is illegal to serve alcoholic beverages to an intoxicated person regardless of his or her age.

You should also be aware that in compliance with the Drug Free Schools & Communities Amendments of 1989, the University prohibits the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees on its premises or as a part of any of its activities.

The Yale College policy on alcoholic beverage service will apply to organized undergraduate social functions described in Chapter XII of the Undergraduate Regulations, as well as to other University events at which undergraduates are present. That is, well-lit, physically separated service of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages must be maintained, with an authorized bartender in charge of dispensing alcohol. Students or others who appear to be not of drinking age must be required to produce proof of age in order to be served alcoholic beverages. Service to an intoxicated person of any age is strictly prohibited.

Social events sponsored by registered undergraduate organizations must adhere to procedures set forth by the Council of Masters if they are held in a Residential College. Events held in other University buildings or common areas require the advance approval of the University office that is responsible for scheduling the use of that space. If alcoholic beverages are to be served at those events, the approval of the Dean of Student Affairs must also be obtained. Forms for seeking such approval, as well as for requesting bartending and police services (where required), may be obtained from the Office of Student Affairs, 105 SSS.

I urge your cooperation and compliance with the policies on the service of alcoholic beverages. It is my hope, which I share with Dean Brodhead and the council of Masters, that a deemphasis of alcoholic beverages as a staple of leisure activity will foster an overall improvement in the climate of student social life at Yale.

Undergraduate Regulations