Moravian University Alcohol Policy

Moravian University recognizes that the role of alcohol consumption in our culture is reflected within the institutional environment. Without either condemning or condoning the use of alcoholic beverages, the institution subscribes to an alcohol policy based on the principle of responsible use of alcohol, which encourages individuals to maintain a lively social atmosphere in which alcohol is not the primary factor.

The consumption of alcohol has the potential for abuse, and the institutional community will neither tolerate nor encourage inappropriate use of alcohol. Therefore, the institution has developed guidelines to ensure responsible conduct relating to the provision or consumption of alcoholic beverages by members of the campus community. Employees, students and recognized student organizations violating these guidelines are subject to disciplinary action. Individuals or groups violating public laws will not be shielded from the legal authority of public agencies responsible for enforcing federal, state, and local laws, even when institutional disciplinary action is taken as well.

Public Laws Governing Use of Alcohol

Some of the most relevant public laws are summarized below. These apply to all persons within the boundaries of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, where possession or consumption of alcohol is limited to those 21 years of age or older. Please note that this list is not all-inclusive.

False ID cards are illegal. Possession or use of false ID cards will result in fines (not more than $500 for second and subsequent offense for possession. Manufacture or sale of false ID cards will result in fines (a minimum of $1,000 for first offense and $2,500 for second or subsequent offenses).
Underage possession of an alcoholic beverage is illegal. Attempt to purchase or the possession, transportation, or consumption of an alcoholic beverage will incur, for a first offense, a fine of a maximum of $500. Fine for a second offense is a maximum of $1,000
Representing a minor to be of full age is illegal. Knowingly representing a person who is younger than 21 to be of age in order to have the person served or sold an alcoholic beverage will result in a maximum fine of $500 for subsequent offenses.
Asking a minor to purchase an alcoholic beverage is illegal, resulting in a minimum fine of $300 for the first offense.
Selling or providing an alcoholic beverage to a minor is illegal, resulting in a fine of $1,000 for the first offense and $2,500 for subsequent offenses. "Providing" includes allowing a minor to possess alcohol on premises or property owned or controlled by the person charged.
Serving an alcoholic beverage to a visibly intoxicated person is illegal and will subject the provider to a fine.
Driving under the influence of alcohol is illegal. Operating or controlling a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol (while one's blood alcohol content is .08 % or higher) will result in a fine of at least $300, six months probation and highway safety school for a first offense. Penalties are more severe for repeat offenses and when blood alcohol content is .10 % or higher.

Individual Responsibility Pertaining to the Use of Alcohol

Members of the Moravian University community are subject to, and expected to respect, all federal, state, and local laws and ordinances. Though a private institution, the institution should not be regarded as providing immunity from the law or diminishing an individual’s or group’s responsibility to comply with any law.

Individuals or groups violating institutional regulations as well as federal, state, and local laws may be subject to civil and criminal action as well as institutional action.

Institutional Regulations Governing Use of Alcohol

The possession, use, and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages on or in institutional property must be in compliance with any and all applicable laws of the commonwealth, county, city, as well as all institutional policies. Exceptions to any regulations in this policy must be granted by the executive vice president for university life/dean of students.

The City of Bethlehem does not allow open containers of alcohol in public. This includes bottles and cups. Campus police will enforce this ordinance on institutional property.

No alcoholic beverages may be purchased for use by students with institutional funds, recognized student organization funds, organization or club dues, or assessments of organization members.

The possession or use of materials that promote irresponsible and high-risk consumption of alcohol (e.g., kegs, funnels, pong tables) is strictly prohibited.

The number of persons at a social gathering shall meet fire- and safety-code standards for the facility in which the event occurs.

Alcohol shall not be present or utilized at any membership recruitment or new member activity of any recognized student organization.

No recognized student organization, group, or living unit may co-sponsor an on-campus event with an alcohol distributor or establishment, at which alcohol is given away, sold, provided, or promoted to those present.

Recognized student organizations holding social events off campus (at hotels, banquet halls, etc.) where alcohol will be served shall utilize a cash-bar system.

Campus Police may request a Breathalyzer test when they have reasonable cause to believe an individual is engaging in underage or high-risk drinking in order to assess the well-being of that individual.

Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages Outdoors

Beyond respecting the established legal restrictions, individuals may not be served, possess, or consume alcoholic beverages on institution-owned outdoor property (including porches, patios and yards) unless an exception has been granted by the executive vice president for university life/dean of students.

Though tailgate parties at which alcoholic beverages are served have become an established part of Homecoming, they conflict with the institution's policy of restricting the consumption of alcoholic beverages outdoors. Tailgating on institution-owned property is permitted at Homecoming under the following conditions: that it is restricted to a clearly defined area; that beer kegs are not allowed; that signs be prominently displayed around the playing fields and spectator stands indicating that the consumption of alcohol is prohibited in those areas; that any announcement of tailgate parties (e.g., communications with alumni) clearly state the institution's policy on underage drinking and alcohol abuse; and that the tailgate-party area be monitored by security personnel retained by the sponsoring organization. Tailgate parties are subject to all community laws and institutional policies on the consumption and dispensing of alcoholic beverages.

Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages Indoors

Individuals 21 years of age or older may be served, possess, or consume alcoholic beverages inside University buildings under the following conditions:

Students 21 or older may possess and consume alcoholic beverages in their rooms in institution-owned places of residence, provided that these individuals do not violate the rights of others in the room or violate any applicable laws, ordinances, or institutional policies, including by allowing individuals under the age of 21 to access, possess or consume alcohol
Students who wish to possess alcohol in their University residence legally should ensure that alcohol is adequately secured and only accessible by individuals legally able to consume it.
Alcoholic beverages are excluded from all common areas of the residence halls (hallways, lounges, TV rooms, restrooms, etc.). However, in small house-style units (e.g. townhouses, suites, houses), alcoholic beverages may be permitted in living rooms, common areas, etc. Fraternity houses are authorized to have alcohol, less than 15% ABV in the basement as well as common areas. Sorority houses are not permitted to have alcohol on the premises
Possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages in non-residential spaces must comply with the “Guidelines for Recognized Student Organization-Sponsored Social Functions” or the “Guidelines for Institution or Department-Sponsored Events” sections of this policy.

Guidelines for Recognized Student Organization-Sponsored Social Functions

Social gatherings at which alcohol may be present must be scheduled and registered with the Office of Student Life. View the social gathering registration policies and procedures.

The serving, possession, and consumption of alcoholic beverages during registered and approved social events are subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and ordinances, to the general and special regulations of the sponsoring organizations, to the rules for the use of a particular facility as determined by those responsible for the facility, and to all of the following guidelines:

Recognized student organizations that sponsor events at which alcohol is consumed are responsible for ensuring that individuals younger than 21 respect all applicable federal, state, and local laws and ordinances concerning the possession and consumption of alcohol. This responsibility remains regardless of who provides the alcohol.
No fee may be charged, donations accepted, advance tickets sold, or any other financial consideration made to an event where alcoholic beverage(s) are present, except where a cash bar, supervised by a professional bartender, is provided under the management of the facility in which the event is held or where attendance is limited to those who are at least 21 years old and a professional bartender is employed.
Non-alcoholic beverages (other than water) and food consistent with the number of persons attending must be provided and prominently featured throughout any event at which alcohol is available.
No alcoholic beverage may be served to a visibly intoxicated person, and provision must be made for the safety of such individuals.
Moravian students should carry their ID cards at social functions. A student may be denied admission to an event if unable to produce a Moravian University ID card. Anyone attending an event who is not a current Moravian student is required to sign a guest registration list including the name of their campus host. All guests are required to adhere to campus regulations at all times, but hosts should be aware that they are directly responsible for their guests while they are on campus property.
Recognized student organizations that sponsor events are responsible for ensuring that such events have a focus other than the consumption of alcohol (i.e. a dance). Themes that encourage the consumption of alcohol (i.e. happy hours) are prohibited.
Recognized student organizations that sponsor events are responsible for ensuring that shots of liquor are not available, drinking games are prohibited, and common source beverages containing alcohol are not present. No one may be induced to drink against their will.
Recognized student organization funds or student fees must not be used for purchasing alcoholic beverages.
Drinking or carrying an open container of an alcoholic beverage outside the area allocated for a social function is prohibited.
Engaging in acts of public drunkenness, vandalism, intimidation, disorderly conduct, or infringement of the rights or privacy of others is in violation of the historic values respected by the institutional community and will not be tolerated.
Individuals maintain responsibility for their own decisions and actions regarding the use of alcoholic beverages and should be prepared to accept the consequences associated with any violation of institutional policy or federal, state, and local laws and ordinances.

Guidelines for Institution or Department-Sponsored Events

An on-campus event sponsored by the institution or a department/office may provide and serve alcoholic beverages pursuant to public laws and individual responsibility.

The event must be registered and scheduled in accordance with the University’s standard event and facilities scheduling procedures.
The use of alcohol at the event must be approved in writing by the executive vice president for university life/dean of students. The event must take place in and be confined to an approved location.
Personnel from the department/office sponsoring the event must be present to staff the event from start until the close of the event and have primary responsibility for ensuring that all conditions of this policy are met and that all alcoholic beverages are properly secured at the close of the event.
Moravian students invited to and attending the approved function must be 21 years of age, except as otherwise allowed by the President of the University. The University may require appropriate proof of age as necessary from attendees.
Food and non-alcoholic beverages must be available. Unless explicitly approved otherwise by the Vice President for Finance and Administration, all on-campus event food services will be provided by the University’s contracted food service company.
No charge for alcohol will be permitted or sanctioned. Moravian does not possess a Commonwealth of Pennsylvania liquor license and cannot sell alcoholic beverages.
The University will not provide bar service to handle alcoholic beverages. Such service must be provided by the organization sponsoring the event or by the University food service company.

Sponsor's Responsibility

Actual control of the use of alcoholic beverages, adherence to institutional regulations, and cleanup of the facility and outside area are the responsibility of the sponsoring individual or group that registers the event. Groups must designate a reasonable number of readily identifiable individuals to monitor compliance with institutional policy at the event.

Student monitors must be currently registered at the institution, should not use alcoholic beverages for the duration of the event, and must have completed the alcohol-education program for social-event sponsors.

Guidelines for Enforcement

The University will enforce the regulations in this policy primarily through the Moravian University Police Department and utilizing the processes outlined in the Student Code of Conduct, Student Organization Code of Conduct, and the Employee Handbook. As commissioned police officers, the Campus Police are responsible for enforcing the law and have the power of arrest if circumstances warrant its exercise.

Questions from students regarding this policy should be directed to Greg Meyer, Dean for Community Wellness, at meyerg@moravian.edu, and questions from employees should be directed to Dior Mariano, Director of Human Resources, at marianod@moravian.edu.

Policy approved by University Council 4/6/2021, effective immediately.
Updated 5/26/2023 to align with Student Code of Conduct