Alcohol
Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity discourages but does not prohibit, the use of alcoholic beverages at any Phi Sigma Pi sponsored event, function or meeting, with the exception of New Member and/or Initiate Events. If alcohol is present, Members must follow the proper event planning guidelines available in the National Risk Management Policy. Illicit use of controlled substances as defined by state and federal law, at any Phi Sigma Pi sponsored event, function or meeting, is prohibited. All Chapters must adhere to the Phi Sigma Pi Alcohol and Illegal Substance Policy. Additional alcohol policies and best practices can be viewed here.
A licensed third-party vendor must be used when alcohol is served during the event.
Please allow up to 30 business days for the National Office to have the contract reviewed, consult legal and insurance resources and offer a mutually agreeable contract.
Following a review of the contract, all concerns and recommended revisions to the contract will be shared with the Chapter/Association representative, who is responsible for communicating all revisions of the contract to the third-party vendor they have selected.
NOTE: The review process must be repeated each time the Chapter/Association signs a new contract.
If there is no contract, Phi Sigma Pi's Third-Party Vendor Checklist, or one provided by the Sheltering Institution, may serve as the written agreement.
A third-party vendor must:
- Be properly licensed by the appropriate local and state authority. This might involve both a liquor license to sell on the premises where the function is to be held.
- Be properly insured with a minimum of $1,000,000 of general liability insurance, evidenced by a properly completed Certificate of Insurance prepared by the insurance provider. The COI must also show evidence that the vendor has, as part of their coverage, "off-premise liquor liability coverage and non-owned and hired coverage." The certificate of insurance must name as additional insured (at a minimum) the Chapter hiring the vendor, as well as Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity.
- Agree in writing to cash sales only, collected by the vendor, during the event.
- Assume in writing all responsibilities that any other purveyor of alcoholic beverages would assume in the normal course of business, including but not limited to:
- Checking identification card of attendees upon entry.;
- Not serving minors;
- Not serving individuals who appear to be intoxicated;
- Limiting service to beer and wine only (Hard liquor, mixed drinks and products such as Mike's Hard Lemonade, Smirnoff Ice, and the like, are not permitted.);
- Maintaining absolute control of all alcoholic containers present;
- Collecting all remaining alcohol at the end of a function (No excess alcohol, opened or unopened, is to be given, sold or furnished to the Chapter.);
- Removing all alcohol from the premises.
The third-party vendor is responsible for verifying the age of all attendees served alcohol. The use of hand stamps, wristbands, etc. to identify persons of legal drinking age is required.
It is required that the Chapter/Association designate, in advance, Members who will remain sober for the duration of the event and will be responsible for contacting the appropriate authorities (e.g., security guards, police, paramedics/medical services, fire department) if the need for assistance arises. There should be no fewer than one (1) sober Member for every 10 attendees at any event where alcohol is permitted/present.
The Fraternity prohibits Designated Driver Programs hosted or operated by a Chapter/Association, and a host Chapter/Association should not be responsible for coordinating or paying for transportation for attendees via apps like Uber or Lyft.
The Chapter/Association must have procedures in place for addressing a situation in which minors are observed drinking.
Alcohol service must conclude at least one hour before the end of the event. The host Chapter/Association is responsible for communicating this expectation with the third-party vendor ahead of time and ensuring that alcohol service ends on time.
It is required that the host Chapter/Association provide food of substantial quality at events with alcohol. Foods that are high in protein, like cheese, meats and unsalted nuts, must be made available to everyone in attendance free of charge.
Non-alcoholic beverages, including sufficient amounts of water, must also be provided free to all attendees.