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Cornell University

Office of Risk Management and Insurance

Events with Alcohol

Event sponsors hosting events with alcohol on University property must adhere to the following requirements:

Review University Policy 4.8, Alcohol and Other Drugs

Assign a person responsible for the alcohol service. That person must be aware that assuming responsibility for the alcohol service includes the risks of personal civil and criminal liability.

  • Employees: That person may be a University employee only under the following conditions:
    1. The events is for invited guests only
    2. A majority of guests are at least 21-years-old
    3. No more than 50 guests are expected
    4. Check guest’s identification before serving the alcohol
    5. Ensure heavy food and water is available throughout the duration of the event
  • Graduate students: That person may be an enrolled graduate student only if the following are true and supervised by Cornell faculty or staff
    1. The event is for invited graduate students and/or employees only
    2. A majority of guests are at least 21-years-old
    3. No more than 50 guests are expected
    4. Check guest’s identification before serving the alcohol
    5. Ensure heavy food and water is available throughout the duration of the event
  • Caterer: That person may be a licensed and insured caterer if the following are true:
    1. Registered with Procurement Services to cater events on University property
    2. Satisfied the University’s minimum insurance requirements
    3. Obtained a NYS Special Event Permit and displays it at the event
  • Undergraduate students: May not provide alcohol at events on University property.

Develop an alcohol service plan if not hiring a caterer: Event organizers must develop and follow a plan for responsibly managing the event.  The responsible person must do the following:

  • Check guest’s identification and serve the alcohol
  • Refrain from drinking alcohol during the event
  • Limit alcohol consumption to one drink per person, per hour during the event,
  • Never serve alcohol to anyone who appears to have been consuming alcohol or other drugs prior to the event,
  • Discard leftover food and alcohol at the conclusion of the event, and
  • Ensure heavy food and water is available throughout the duration of the event