When you host an event, there are strategies for reducing the potential for personal harm and legal liability:
Follow the law
The legal age to drink alcohol is 21 years or older. Allowing underage consumption at your events increases the likelihood of problems, including legal liability for the behavior of guests.
Make sure you understand all local and state laws concerning the sale, distribution, possession, and consumption of alcohol and other substances, including cannabis, tobacco/nicotine products, and prescription medications.
Understand and follow policies regarding hosting events with alcohol or other substances on campus.
Know local laws and ordinances with regard to noise and trash.
Do not allow illegal drugs or the misuse of prescription medications. State this clearly in your invitation or event page and post a visible notice with your event rules. If you see or become aware of drug use at your event, ask the person to stop or leave — you have the right to do that as a host. Be aware that allowing drug use on your property can create legal liability for you, even if you are not using yourself.
Discourage your guests from mixing alcohol and other substances. If you know a guest is on medication or using other substances, privately encourage them to skip alcohol or drink less. Remind guests that mixing substances — including alcohol with cannabis, prescription medications, or other drugs — increases the risk of overdose or other medical emergencies.
Know your guests
Most students report that issues such as vandalism, violence, and theft are perpetrated by uninvited guests.
Create a guest list, send specific invitations, and monitor access to the event.
Having someone at the door to check IDs or a guest list can help identify underage and unwanted guests.
Encourage guests to walk or have a designated driver to get home safely.
Don’t provide the substances
You can be held responsible if you provide alcohol or other substances to a guest and they leave your event and hurt themselves or someone else.
Avoid providing kegs, party juice (PJ), large open coolers, or other communal sources of alcohol or substances.
If alcohol is present, have guests BYOB at all times and set limits on the quantity guests can bring.
Do not sell alcohol or other substances or “charge admission” in a way that could be considered distribution. It is against the law to sell alcohol in North Carolina without an ABC permit.
Know the signs of overdose or alcohol poisoning and have a plan for calling for help if needed. Familiarize yourself with UNC’s medical amnesty policy, which can protect you and your guests if you need to call for help in an emergency.
Make the event about something other than substances
The less the event revolves around alcohol or other substances, the less likely your guests are to focus solely on using them.
Discourage drinking games and other activities that encourage rapid or excessive consumption, as these increase risk.
Post party rules on the event page, on the front door, or in another visible place.
Keep music at a reasonable level so people can communicate verbally.
Have seating available for conversation.
Make sure non-alcoholic drink options are available and easy to access so guests don’t feel pressured to drink.