The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of alcohol is prohibited on Institute property or as part of any activity sanctioned or sponsored by the Institute. The administration at RPI will not authorize events where drinking under the legal age, as determined by applicable law, will be knowingly permitted. Individuals and organizations who sponsor approved events involving alcoholic beverages shall assume full responsibility and liability for the event and for the behavior of event participants and attendees.

In our continuing commitment to adhere to Institute policy and applicable laws, it is the established and regular practice to issue a minimum disciplinary suspension of two years (six consecutive semesters) to any RPI-recognized student organization found to have served alcohol to an underage individual at any Institute- or group-sanctioned or -sponsored activity (on or off campus). It is the hearing officer’s role to consider the unique details of each incident and apply appropriate sanction(s) with the agreement of the Dean of Students. In addition, all organization alcohol privileges are subject to revocation while a group is under investigation and for the duration of the disciplinary process. 

Note: Vaporizing, inhaling, and other methods of absorbing alcohol are prohibited.  

1. Possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited:
   1. At all Institute-owned, -controlled, or -affiliated residential facilities that house undergraduate students;
   2. At the residential facilities of any recognized or affiliated student organizations or groups, including but not limited to fraternities and sororities;
   3. On campus, on Institute property, at Institute events, and at events or programs held or sponsored by the Institute or by RPI student organizations, except in accordance with this policy by persons 21 years of age or older as follows:
   4. At events held at approved locations for which required approvals have been obtained pursuant to Section I(F) of this policy;
   5. In areas licensed for regular beer and wine service.
2. Possession or consumption of alcohol by any person under age 21 on campus is a violation of this policy and the RPI Grounds for Disciplinary Action (GDA) for students. Such conduct on the part of an employee is a violation of Human Resources policies.   
3. Any person under age 21 who misrepresents their age to obtain alcohol has violated the GDA if that person is a student.  Such conduct on the part of an employee is a violation of Human Resources policies. 
4. Any person who supplies or makes alcohol available to someone under age 21 has violated this policy and the law. If that person is a student, they have violated the GDA. Such conduct on the part of an employee is a violation of Human Resources policies.   
5. In accordance with state law, no money may be charged for any event at which alcoholic beverages are present unless a license or permit is obtained from the state liquor authority.
6. An Institute alcohol permit must be obtained from the Student Health Center for any event occurring on Institute grounds at which alcohol is served or present. Exceptions are:
   1. Licensed designated area of RPI Union; or
   2. Buildings leased or rented to faculty, staff, or private non-student groups.
7. The consumption of alcohol or possession of an open container of alcohol is prohibited in all generally accessible or common areas on campus, including but not limited to, corridors, stairwells, athletic facilities, elevators, lounges, classrooms, labs, and outside campus areas (e.g., Quad), unless an alcohol permit has been obtained for a designated area. At no time may alcohol be consumed in potentially hazardous environments.   
8. Displays of any alcohol-related items or materials visible to the public, including, but not limited to, alcoholic beverage containers (empty or full), banners, or signs, are not allowed in any residential facility.
9. Events shall not include any activity which encourages the use and/or misuse of alcohol. 
10. The serving or availability of alcohol at events held in or around an undergraduate or student organization residential facility, as described in Section I(A) of this policy, is prohibited.   
11. The presence, possession, or use of large quantities of alcohol on campus including, but not limited to, kegs, beer balls, or any other bulk containers of alcohol, is prohibited on Institute grounds except for areas holding a New York State license for beer and wine service. 
12. Beverages containing hard alcohol (defined as 15% or more alcohol by volume (ABV)) are prohibited at events involving students.
13. Alcohol is not permitted at RPI athletic events.   
14. Off-Campus Events: It is expected that all members of the RPI community will comply with all governmental laws related to alcohol. Any RPI group planning an off-campus event involving alcohol must adhere to the RPI Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy for students. Faculty and staff must adhere to the applicable Human Resources Policy. 
15. Advertising of any event must not imply that the event is for the purpose of consuming alcohol and may not be displayed before the permit to serve alcohol is obtained. No specific mention of alcohol is allowed in the advertising. The words "beverages" and "refreshments" are acceptable.   
16. At any event where alcohol is available, a non-alcoholic beverage (in addition to water) must be equally and continuously accessible and available.   
17. Alcohol may not be served at any event unless food is also served. The food should include items high in protein and carbohydrates.   
18. The sponsor or host is responsible for implementing reasonable measures to ensure that alcohol is not served or made available to persons under age 21 or who are intoxicated. Sponsors must ensure that all alcoholic beverages are provided by a licensed third-party vendor who will certify that all servers are properly trained. Contact the RPI Union for training information.   
19. The server(s) of alcohol must be sober and may not consume alcoholic beverages before or during the event, or on the premises where the event is held.   
20. Guests will not be allowed to bring additional alcohol to an event. The only alcohol permitted for consumption is that specified on the Institute-approved alcohol permit.   
21. "BYO" (“Bring Your Own”) alcohol events are not permitted.   
22. Positive proof of age is required at any event at which alcohol is served and/or consumed. No licensee, agent, or employee of such licensee shall accept, as written evidence of age by any such person for the purchase or service of any alcoholic beverage, any documentation other than:
    1. a valid driver’s license or non-driver identification card issued by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, the federal government, any United States territory, commonwealth or possession, the District of Columbia, a state government within the United States, or a provincial government of the Dominion of Canada; or
    2. a valid passport issued by the United States Government or any other country; or
    3. an identification card issued by the Armed Forces of the United States. 
23. The serving or availability of alcohol must be limited to a single designated point of service. Consumption of alcohol is only permitted in the approved area designated for the event.   
24. Alcohol and Drug Policies for faculty and staff are contained in the Human Resources Policy Guidelines Manual (#800.4, Alcohol Use and Possession; and 800.5, Use and Possession of Illegal Drugs).