Unit Policy
Title
Department of Athletics: Alcohol Policy for Events in UNC Athletics Facilities
A. Access
Access to any event held in UNC Athletics Facilities at which alcohol is served must be limited to invitees and controlled throughout the event. The event may not be open to or accessible by the general public. For outdoor events, special steps must be taken (for example, tents with sides or other significant barriers) to control access and delineate the area for the event. Alcohol of any kind may not be brought into or removed from the venue. Events at Finley Golf Course are not subject to the requirements of this section.
B. Staff
All events held in UNC Athletics Facilities at which alcohol is served must be appropriately staffed with a sufficient number of people to maintain order and protect the safety of individuals involved. Caterers and bartenders should be provided with written copies of these policies prior to their service at each event. Alcohol servers are not permitted to consume alcohol during the event.
C. Service
The laws of the State of North Carolina regarding the service of alcohol shall be observed by all individuals using UNC Athletics Facilities. In addition, the following guidelines pertaining to the service of alcohol must be followed at all times:
- Alcoholic beverages must be served by a professional caterer or bartender with liability insurance.
- Self-service of alcohol, such as unmonitored tables of alcohol or kegs of beer, is strictly prohibited unless otherwise approved by the Department of Athletics.
- Under no circumstances shall alcohol be served to any individual under the age of 21.
- Valid photo identification is required for the service of alcohol. Beverage staff will not serve patrons unable to provide proper identification. The following forms of identification are acceptable:
- A Driver’s License issued by any state in the U.S. or any Canadian province;
- An official U.S. Military ID card, including active duty, reserve, retired, and/or dependent card;
- An official state ID card issued by any U.S. state or Canadian province;
- A current, unexpired official U.S. passport (international passports are not a valid form of ID).
- No guest shall be permitted to possess more than two alcoholic beverages at any time.
- Alcohol shall not be served to any individual who appears to be intoxicated.
- A sufficient amount of alternative, non-alcoholic beverages must be available and food must be served if alcohol will be provided for more than two hours.
- Alcohol may be served for a reasonable amount of time only, not to exceed four hours.
- The service of alcohol shall end at least 30 minutes prior to the conclusion of the event (with the exception of events at Finley Golf Course).
- Alcohol servers and event management have the right to refuse the service of alcohol to any guest.
D. Consumption
All alcoholic beverages must be consumed from opaque cups. No alcoholic beverage may be transferred from the cup in which it is served to another cup or container for consumption.
E. Conduct
Attendees of events in UNC Athletics Facilities are expected to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner at all times. Event management and staff members have the authority to remove any guests demonstrating signs of intoxication, exhibiting disorderly conduct, or acting in a disruptive manner.
F. Alcohol in Designated Areas Only
Alcoholic beverages may not be brought outside of the specific area in the venue in which they are served. (Alcohol served in the Kenan Stadium Blue Zone, for example, may not be brought outside of the Blue Zone premium seating areas.) Management will ask guests to discard beverages prior to exiting the particular space. If a guest is apprehended with alcohol outside of the designated area, he or she will be subject to removal from the facility and the alcohol will be confiscated.
G. Student Groups
No alcohol may be served at an event affiliated with a student organization held in any UNC Athletic facility where a significant number of attendees will be under the age of 21.
H. Grounds for Removal
A violation of any of the above provisions is grounds for removal from the venue. In addition, guests may also be removed from the venue if they:
- Provide alcohol to an individual under the age of 21.
- Possess alcohol and are unable to furnish proof that they are over the age of 21.
I. Posted Policies at Events in the Blue Zone at which Alcohol is Served
The following policies must be posted at each event in the Kenan Stadium Blue Zone at which alcohol will be served:
- Under no circumstances will alcohol be served to anyone under the age of 21. Beverage staff will not serve guests unable to provide proper identification.
- Guests are strictly prohibited from providing alcohol to individuals under the age of 21.
- Anyone in possession of alcohol must be able to furnish a valid photo identification confirming they are over 21 years of age.
- No outside alcohol may be brought into the venue.
- No guest shall be permitted to possess more than two alcoholic beverages at any time.
- All alcoholic beverages must be consumed from opaque cups. No alcoholic beverage may be transferred from the cup in which it is served to another cup or container for consumption.
- Alcoholic beverages may not be brought outside of the Blue Zone premium seating areas. THAH staff members will ask guests to discard beverages prior to exiting the Concourse Club Level. If a guest is apprehended with alcohol outside of the Blue Zone, he or she will be subject to ejection from the stadium and the alcohol will be confiscated.
- Beverage service staff members adhere to all county and State of North Carolina laws and reserve the right to refuse service to anyone at any time.
- Attendees of events in UNC Athletics Facilities are expected to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner at all times. Intoxication, disorderly conduct, disruptive behavior, and actions which interfere with another guest’s enjoyment of the event are strictly prohibited.
- Alcohol service will cease at the end of the third quarter at UNC home football games. For other events in the Blue Zone, alcohol service will cease at least 30 minutes prior to the conclusion of the event.
Any guest found in violation of these policies shall be subject to removal from Kenan Stadium.
J. Posted Policies at Events in the Smith Center at which Alcohol is Served
The following policies must be posted at each event in the Smith Center at which alcohol will be served:
- Under no circumstances will alcohol be served to anyone under the age of 21. Beverage staff will not serve guests unable to provide proper identification.
- Guests are strictly prohibited from providing alcohol to individuals under the age of 21.
- Anyone in possession of alcohol must be able to furnish a valid photo identification confirming they are over 21 years of age.
- No outside alcohol may be brought into the venue.
- No guest shall be permitted to possess more than two alcoholic beverages at any time.
- All alcoholic beverages must be consumed from opaque cups. No alcoholic beverage may be transferred from the cup in which it is served to another cup or container for consumption.
- Alcoholic beverages may not be brought outside of the designated area of the Smith Center. THAH staff members will ask guests to discard beverages prior to exiting the designated space. If a guest is apprehended with alcohol outside of this area, he or she will be subject to ejection from the arena and the alcohol will be confiscated.
- Beverage service staff members adhere to all county and State of North Carolina laws and reserve the right to refuse service to anyone at any time.
- Attendees of events in UNC Athletics Facilities are expected to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner at all times. Intoxication, disorderly conduct, disruptive behavior, and actions which interfere with another guest’s enjoyment of the event are strictly prohibited.
- Alcohol service will cease in time for guests to finish their drinks and proceed to their seats before tip-off.
Any guest found in violation of these policies shall be subject to removal from the Smith Center.
K. Transportation
The staff of the third party management company retained by the Department of Athletics to facilitate University and non-University events (the “Management Company”) shall be responsible for taking all reasonable steps necessary to prevent an impaired or intoxicated person from operating a vehicle after attending a non-University sponsored event at which alcohol is served. This may include contacting the Department of Public Safety.
L. Additional Suggestions
Management Company staff at non-University sponsored events at which alcohol will be served in UNC Athletics Facilities are also encouraged to take the following precautions:
- Place signs on all alcohol-serving stations that read: “Over 21 Only.”
- Remind caterers and/or bartenders to ask for proof of age before serving alcohol.
- Provide instructions to bartenders, waiters, and unit employees in charge of the event to be alert to the possibility that guests over 21 may attempt to obtain alcohol for guests under 21.
- Ensure a sufficient quantity of food is available to slow down the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream.
- Provide ready access to ice, water, and soda so that guests can rehydrate or refill their drinks without adding more alcohol.
Publication Details
Date Last Reviewed: November 2017
Date of Next Review: July 2020
Responsible for Review: Executive Team Member(s) with Oversight of Facilities and Executive Team Member with Oversight of Compliance