Social Event Management Procedures (SEMP)
Purpose
Social Event Management Procedures (SEMP) reflects Dartmouth College’s commitment to provide the safest possible social atmosphere for members of the College community and their guests
Its success depends upon the cooperative efforts of students, faculty, administration and alumni in both understanding and upholding the spirit of personal responsibility and respect for self and others that is embodied in these procedures
Any exceptions to these procedures must be applied for and approved in advance by the Greek Letter Organizations and Societies (GLOS) staff
Goals
Social gatherings at Dartmouth College are an important part of our community life. For all events, regardless if alcohol is present, we strive to achieve the following goals:
Comply with College policy and state and local laws.
Respect the rights of all individuals and respect the property of others.
Protect the health and safety of community members and their guests.
Empower and encourage students to assume an active role in the planning and management of social events Provide an enjoyable atmosphere conducive to positive social interaction.
When alcohol is present, model responsible alcohol use.
Decrease legal liability for students, organizations and Dartmouth College.
Legal Compliance
All students and sponsoring organizations must comply with federal, state, local laws, and regulations concerning the service of alcohol at all times, including at members-only events
Students and sponsoring organizations must also fully observe the Dartmouth College Student Alcohol Policy
Violation
Sponsoring organizations could be held accountable for any violations of College policy that occur at their social event
Individual violators could also be held accountable for their actions
Alleged violations will be forwarded to the Undergraduate Judicial Affairs Office for possible further action When applicable, organizations and individuals are also responsible to uphold specific departmental regulations
Please check with your sponsoring department for further information
Good Faith
It is recognized that this document cannot address, in specific fashion, all possible social situations that may occur
Where these procedures are not specific on a particular point, individual and organizational hosts are expected to conduct their social events and themselves in the spirit of social responsibility consistent with these
procedures
Procedures
Irresponsible alcohol consumption can often interfere with the educational purpose and social climate of the College
All students and student organizations have a responsibility to follow the Social Event Management Procedures (SEMP) outlined below and will be held accountable for failure to follow the procedures
Social Event Categories
Under 50 people (no organized event)
Tier 1: Members only
Tier 2: Fewer than 150 attendees -OR- one non-member arrives at a members only event
Tier 3: More than 150 attendees
Outdoor Events
Outdoor events which include alcohol are prohibited by the College Alcohol Policy
However, in very rare circumstances an exception may be granted by the Director or Coordinator of GLOS To request an exception, the host of the event should contact the director or coordinator no later than three (3) weeks prior to the event
There is a significant amount of risk management necessary for outdoor events, which creates the need for this exception ahead of time, along with requesting an outdoor permit from the Town of Hanover
Pong tables are not permitted outside and pong is never allowed to be played outside
Please note the Town of Hanover open container ordinance Amended July 14, 2014. "It shall be unlawful for any person to Consume, Transport, Carry, or Possess any liquor or alcoholic beverage while within the limits of any way, while on public property, or while on any property owned or leased by the town, except in the original container and with the seal unbroken.
Definitions
The terms defined in this section are intended to be used in the context of Dartmouth College student social events
Social Event
Any activity that is sponsored by a student or organization and at which alcohol is present unless the event is held at an establishment licensed to sell alcohol (ie., restaurant, hotel, bar, nightclub, etc.).
This includes, but is not limited to, events that are hosted or cosponsored by multiple individuals or organizations
Sponsoring Organization
Any Dartmouth College student, group of students, organization or living unit that pays for or otherwise provides alcohol, directly or indirectly, to attendees and/or registers, or should have registered, a social event in any College-affiliated space (residence hall room or common space; Greek house, undergraduate or senior society physical plant; designated social space; etc.)
Sponsorship may be indicated by, but is not limited to, the names of the individuals or the organization on the registration form, and planning or agreeing to participate or attend the social event
Sponsoring organizations are responsible for the social event from beginning to end.
The organization is responsible for ensuring the safety of guests and security of the facility as well as compliance with all applicable laws, College policy, and the Social Event Management Procedures This definition also applies to co-sponsorship of social events
Event with fewer than 50 people
Events that are unplanned and occur on a typical evening in the physical plant of an organization
These events do not require registration or notification; however, each organization’s internal management procedures must include their specific plans for managing alcohol on a daily basis
Kegs must always be registered online for the event for which they are purchased Leftover beer from kegs may be consumed after the event, as long as that keg has a tag
Tier 1 (Members Only) Event
Events that are only open to and attended by student members of one recognized student organization Hard alcohol is not permitted
The GLOS office and Safety and Security must be notified of these events by completing a registration form online.
This form must be completed before 3 PM on the day of the event or 12 noon Friday if the event is scheduled over the weekend
Tier 2 Event
Events that have fewer than 150 attendees or are a members only event that becomes a Tier 2 event by the addition of one non-member
Tier 2 events must be registered ahead of time here, by midnight on the Tuesday prior to the event Organizers must follow their internal management plan as approved by the GLOS office
A Tier 2 event (serving wine or beer) may be registered until 3 PM on the day of the event or 12 noon Friday if the event is scheduled over the weekend
Any notification or registration after this point will be considered 'on the fly'. Only Tier 2 events (serving wine or beer) can be registered "on the fly"
In order to register an 'on the fly' event because a scene has developed you must call Safety and Security at 603-646-4000 AND register online here, selecting "on the fly"
Tier 2 Event ('tails')
If serving hard alcohol ('tails'), the event must be registered by midnight on the Tuesday prior to your event online here
After registering the event and selecting a meeting time, email the completed SEMP Meeting Form to the GLOS Coordinator prior to the meeting
The host or hosts must meet with a representative from the GLOS office to discuss management plans, determine number of alcohol servings permitted and distribute wristbands
No other type of alcohol may be served (i.e. no beer pong at a "tails" event)
All cocktails must be mixed one drink at a time. Punches are STRICTLY prohibited. This includes any common source container of mixed drinks
Tier 3 Event
Events that have more than 150 attendees
Organizers must follow their internal management plan as approved by the GLOS office
Tier 3 events must be registered by midnight on the Tuesday prior to your event online here. Any changes to this registration deadline will be communicated by the GLOS office with at least one week notice.
After registering online, email the completed SEMP Meeting Form to the GLOS Coordinator prior to the meeting
The host or hosts must meet with a representative from the GLOS office to discuss management plans, determine number of alcohol servings permitted and distribute wristbands and keg tags
Hard alcohol is not permitted at events with more than 150 attendees
Event Host
Students from a sponsoring organization who are responsible for the management of the social event
including ensuring the safety of guests and security of the facility as well as compliance with all applicable laws, College policy, and the Social Event Management Procedures
Hosts are in charge and in attendance at all times
Hosts are responsible for dealing with problem situations that arise during the social event, including those at the entrance, exits, and serving area. Hosts ensure that the social event is executed with courtesy and respect towards the surrounding areas (including residential areas and neighbors)
Hosts must be actively enrolled Dartmouth students 18 years old or older
Hosts are listed on the registration form and are easily identifiable during the social event
Hosts may not consume any alcohol or be under the influence of any other substances during the social event Hosts will have attended Dartmouth College "SEMP Training"
Server
Individuals, usually Dartmouth College students, either paid or volunteer, that are under the direction of the event host(s) who responsibly and legally dispense, distribute, or otherwise provide alcohol to an individual Consistent with New Hampshire state law, servers must strictly be 21 years of age or employed by a licensed caterer
Servers may not consume any alcohol or be under the influence of any other substances while monitoring the social event
Dartmouth College approved caterers with a valid New Hampshire liquor license may be hired as servers. The current list of approved caterers may be found here
Student servers will be required to have attended Dartmouth College SEMP Training and TiPS Training and be over 21 years of age.
Monitor
Individuals, usually Dartmouth College students, either paid or volunteer who are under the direction of the event host(s)
Monitors typically work at the entrance doors, exits, circulate through the event, or other locations at the direction of the host(s) to ensure the safety of guests, security of the facility and compliance with these procedures
Monitors may not consume alcohol or be under the influence of any other substances while monitoring the social event
Monitors will have attended Dartmouth College "SEMP Training"
For Tier 3 events, the minimum number of College trained student monitors for registered events is five (5) Organizations, in consultation with the GLOS office, may determine that more monitors are needed to effectively manage their event
Student organizations should strive for a ratio of 1:25 – one monitor per twenty-five guests
Guest
Any person in attendance at a social event other than the hosts or members of the sponsoring organization holding the social event
Intoxication
Intoxication is identified by generally reliable signs
These signs may include, but are not limited to, the strong odor of alcohol on an individual's breath, slurred speech, impaired coordination, glassy eyes, or exaggerated emotions and behaviors
Students may be considered to have violated the College policy prohibiting public intoxication if their level of impairment attracts the attention of College, town, or other officials and warrants medical care
With respect to this policy, "public" is understood to be any place to which members of the community have general access, including hallways, common spaces, and rest rooms of administrative and academic buildings, residence halls, Greek letter organizations and societies
It does not include students' individual rooms
Calculating Servings
Number of members and guests over 21 X hours of event) = number of servings
For example: 75 members and guests over 21 x 2hours = 150 servings =1 keg of beer or cider Determine quantity necessary to accommodate number of servings
Servings for Tier 1 and Tier 2 events are calculated when registering your event online and will be shown on the confirmation email
Tier 3 event servings are calculated with the GLOS staff member at the event meeting prior to the event Alcohol should not be purchased until approval is granted
SEMP Training
SEMP Training will introduce students to risk management, social host liability and college policies. Through this presentation participants will be able to identify potential risks and gain knowledge of the Dartmouth College Social Event Management Procedures. SEMP Training may also be held in individual houses or event spaces on campus. Please contact Sam Waltemeyer to schedule SEMP training for your individual chapter or college organization
TiPS Training for Servers
Servers are required to attend a TIPS training course and pass the certification exam. Servers are members who are at least 21 years old and have previously attended SEMP training.
The TiPS University program is tailored for students at universities and colleges. This program gives students the skills they need to intervene with their peers in social situations to prevent alcohol-related incidents.
Whether or not students choose to drink, TIPS recognizes that at some point in their college careers, they will face situations where alcohol is being consumed. They may face scenarios involving alcohol abuse, underage
drinking or drunk driving, and incidents that can lead to property damage, alcohol liability, and human tragedy.
Young people need strategies for creating safe, responsible and socially enjoyable campus environments.
Students are in the best position to address drinking behaviors among their peers. They are close to the situation and understand the culture on their campuses. TIPS develops students' social skills and gives specific information for detecting when friends have had too much to drink or are getting into trouble with alcohol.
Students learn specific strategies and skills for intervening in alcohol-related situations that may develop on campus. Unique in its approach, TIPS brings together administrators, faculty and students to create
responsible campus atmospheres.
TIPS builds on students' concerns for the safety of their peers. Students learn decision-making skills that help guide their behavior and are more likely to consider the consequences of their actions. In addition, students gain more confidence to intervene in difficult alcohol-related situations to prevent alcohol-related incidents on campus.