Alcohol Beverage Policy-Superior Dome, Northern Center, NMU Golf Course - Northern Michigan University

Purpose:
Events held within the Northern Center, the Superior Dome or the NMU Golf Course at which alcoholic beverages are to be served must comply with the rules and regulations set forth by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission.

Policy:

Events held within the Northern Center, Superior Dome or NMU Golf Course at which alcoholic beverages are to be served must comply with the rules and regulations set forth by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission. The University’s Class C Liquor Licenses are limited to designated areas within the Northern Center, the Superior Dome and the NMU Golf Course.  The Dining Services Department administers the licenses.  The University Alcohol Beverage Committee which consists of the Director of Dining Services, Director of Activities, the Center for Student Enrichment, the Dean of Students, Health Promotion Specialist, Director of Auxiliary Services, Director of Public Safety, Director of Recreational Facilities and Services, or the designee of these individuals, assists with the implementation of this policy.  The composition of the committee will vary depending on whether an event involving alcohol is to be held at the Superior Dome, Northern Center or the NMU Golf Course.

Events Sponsored by University Groups and Departments

Events sponsored by student organizations or university departments where alcohol is requested will invoke special conditions:

• If a student organization:  The organization’s advisor or a faculty/staff member must be present during the hours while a bar is in operation.
• If a university group or department: A faculty or staff member responsible for the group must be present during the hours a bar is in operation.
• If the advisor or faculty/staff member is not present for the even where alcohol is requested, the bar will be shut down and the sponsoring organization will be assessed the minimum bar charge.  The event itself may continue without alcohol.

Events Sponsored by Non-University Individuals or Groups

Non-University individuals or groups will not be permitted to sponsor events involving alcoholic beverages on University property.  The following are the exceptions:

• Organizations under the sponsorship of the NMU Foundation.
• Individuals who have a relationship with the University will be permitted to sponsor events that include alcohol in the Northern Center and Superior Dome.  Relationship is defined in a letter dated January 24,1995 to the President and Board of Control from the Michigan Department of Commerce, Liquor Control Commission. (Copy of Letter available by request from the Director of Auxiliary Services.)

Locations

Events involving alcohol may be scheduled in the conference rooms of the Northern Center and at the Superior Dome.  Other locations will require a special one-day license initiated with the Director of Conference & Catering and approved by the President and the Director of Public Safety.

The location or placement of the bar shall be determined by the Conference & Catering Department, with the approval of the Director of Auxiliary Services or the Superior Dome Manager or his or her designee, depending upon the nature of the event and the sponsoring organization or group. If it is anticipated that minors will be attending the event then the University Alcohol Beverage Committee will decide upon the placement of the bar as described below in the section entitled “Control”.

Times

The Northern Center and Superior Dome regular hours of operation dictate that events will not continue past 11:00 p.m., Sunday-Thursday and 12:00 midnight on Friday and Saturday.  The University Alcohol Beverage Committee or the Director of the Auxiliary Services or the Superior Dome Manager will consider requests for extensions of events beyond these times on a case-by-case basis.  Under no circumstances will a bar be kept open past 12:00 midnight.

Charges

Both university and non-university organizations will be assessed the appropriate room rental charges for events where alcohol is served.  Sponsoring groups will also be responsible for the approved minimum bar charge.  As per policy, student organizations will be exempt from room rental charges unless the sponsoring organization assesses a cover charge. Rental charges for the Northern Center may be waived for sponsoring organizations if the event includes food service at a level that is deemed to be significant. The Director of Auxiliary Services, or his or her designee, will make this determination.

Control

If it is anticipated that minors will be attending an event, the University Alcohol Beverage Committee will be responsible for determining whether or not alcohol will be allowed, the placement of the bar, and any conditions that will be imposed.  If alcohol is allowed, the sponsoring individuals or organization will be required to provide a plan to the committee stating the measures that will be taken to prevent minors from obtaining, purchasing, or consuming alcohol during the event.  Options could include a separate room requiring those entering to be at least 21 years of age and alcohol to not be allowed out of that area, or the use of wrist bands identifying those at least 21 years of age; however, the committee will also consider other proposed options.

The university staff responsible for the serving of alcohol has the authority to shut down the bar during any event where there are suspected violations of this policy, the regulations of the Michigan Liquor Control Commission, or any other laws concerning the servicing or distribution of alcoholic beverages.  The event itself may be allowed to continue without alcohol.