Risk Management Policy

Op5.15 Social Event Risk Management Policy

This Student Organization Event Risk Management Policy applies to all Missouri State University (University) student organization (recognized, registered and/or university sponsored), and their events, and activities; including events at which alcohol may be present. University student organizations are expected to abide by the following list of responsibilities in connection with the scheduling of organizational activities, and specifically those activities that involve alcohol. Failure to comply could result in individuals and/or organizational conduct charges under the university’s Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities (Code).

1. All student organization on-campus events (regardless of the presence of alcohol) must be scheduled through the university’s event and meeting services. Any event (on-campus and off-campus) where alcohol will be provided must be registered with the university’s office of student engagement; the form may be found on CampusLink under the Office of Student Engagement-Social Event Registration form.
2. For all events where alcohol is present, in addition to the other requirements of this policy, guests must be limited to organization members or a guest list must be maintained. “Open Parties” defined in this policy as events with unrestricted access by non-members of the organization, without specific invitations, are expressly prohibited.
3. For all events where alcohol is present, in addition to the other requirements of this policy, the organization must either i) hold the event at a third-party establishment licensed to distribute alcohol or ii) hire professional security (e.g. security firms, off-duty police officers) to monitor the entrance to the event, to assist the organization in coordinating and supervising the event and to facilitate any necessary communication with law enforcement personnel.
4. Any possession, use, and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages, during organizational events, or in any situation sponsored, endorsed, or advertised by the student organization (or its members), must be in compliance with university policy, as well as all applicable laws and ordinances of the state, county and city.
5. No student organization can use alcohol in connection with member recruitment, intake, initiation or any element of obtaining or retaining membership in the student organization.
6. Alcoholic beverages may not be purchased through the student organization treasury nor may the purchase of alcoholic beverages for members or guests be coordinated by any member in the name of or on behalf of the organization.
7. No organization member/members, collectively or individually, can purchase for, serve to, or sell alcoholic beverages to any individual under twenty-one (21) years of age.
8. No student organization (or individual member) shall permit, tolerate, encourage, or participate in drinking games, binge drinking, or drinking and driving in any activity related to the student organization.
9. No student organization (or individual member) shall permit, tolerate, encourage or participate in the use of narcotics, controlled substances or prescription medications (used outside the directions of a valid prescription as well as other substances used to gain a similar effect as illegal drugs).
10. It is the responsibility of student organization leadership to review with the faculty or staff advisor any activity or event, including events where alcoholic beverages may be/will be present. It is the responsibility of the student organization leadership to establish risk management safeguards which comply with university policy, organization policy (as described below) and to report violations of policy to the office of student engagement or to the office of student conduct.
11. Individual students whose conduct is in violation of university policy on university premises or off-campus at student organization sponsored activities, or who engage in behavior which adversely affects the university community and/or the pursuit of its objectives, are subject to university disciplinary actions. Student organizations inviting third-parties to campus including, but not limited to, guests, visitors, speakers and/or entertainers, must ensure that said third-party is aware of, and complies with, all university policy. Student organizations may be responsible for the conduct of invited third-parties. In determining whether a student organization may be held collectively responsible for the individual acts of its members, all of the factors and circumstances surrounding the specific incident will be reviewed and evaluated by the director of student conduct and/or his/her designee.
12. Failure to comply with any similar or additional guidance of any national, regional or local affiliate of a student organization (e.g., a National Fraternity) relating to risk management practices, especially risk management practices relating to alcohol will be interpreted as a failure to abide by this policy.

Consultation and recommended social function guidelines for student organizations are available from the office of student engagement, Plaster Student Union.

This policy applies to all university student organizations. Fraternity and sorority student organizations are also subject to the Fraternity & Sorority Governance Statement of Missouri State University (Governance Statement). The Governance Statement addresses additional policies that reflect their national policies and unique characteristics such as corporate ownership of group housing for members. To the extent there is a conflict between this policy and the Governance Statement, this policy will control.

Note that the requirements set forth in Sections 1, 2, and 3 above will not apply to a student organization’s registered participation in the university’s BearFest Village. Failure to comply with those sections in connection with official participation in BearFest Village will not result in a violation of this policy. All other sections of this policy will apply to a student organization’s participation in BearFest Village.