Alcohol on Campus

Purpose

To ensure the safety of the University community and compliance with State law and University Policy when serving or consuming alcohol on the campus of Western Michigan University. To limit the liability of the University due to the consumption and serving of alcohol on WMU’s campus.

Areas holding WMU liquor licenses

Bernhard Center, Fetzer Center and Miller/Gilmore Theater Complex

1. All three (3) locations have Class C liquor licenses and alcohol may only be dispensed by W.M.U. Catering Services, TIPS trained staff from Miller/Gilmore and/or the Fetzer Center.
2. In these locations certain restrictions may apply as to the type of function, as determined by W.M.U.Catering Services, or the respective managers of the Bernhard Center, Miller Auditorium, and the Fetzer Center.
3. Compliance with Michigan laws regarding the serving of alcohol (including compliance with rules and regulations of the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (LCC) regarding Class C liquor licenses) is required and will be enforced at all times, including but not limited to, those laws that require that no one shall be permitted to consume alcohol who is not twenty-one (21) years of age or older nor shall any person who appears visibly intoxicated be served.
4. No alcohol is to be served on campus prior to 5 p.m. (Monday through Friday).

Other faculty/staff functions

Alcohol may be served, but not sold in any way, at the following designated areas, Sprau Tower (10th floor), Walwood Hall reception area, The Oaklands, The Richmond Center, The Seelye Center, Dalton Center, and specific designated areas for football games.

1. Any other areas on campus used for receptions involving the serving of alcohol must be approved by the Vice President of Business and Finance or the Associate Vice President for Business and Finance, or their designee.
2. The event must be registered with the Director of Business Services, who may be reached at (269) 387-4827. A registration form must be completed by the requesting department and approved by the Director of Business Services at least five (5) days prior to the event taking place. These events must have the alcohol served by a TIPS trained staff member coordinated through the W.M.U. Catering office. Events at Gilmore Theatre, Miller Auditorium, and the Richmond Center may also be served by TIPS trained staff of Miller Auditorium. The Oaklands will have TIPS trained staff in their facility when alcohol is being consumed.
3. Compliance with Michigan laws regarding the serving of alcohol is required and enforced at all times, including but not limited to, that no one shall be permitted to consume alcohol who is not twenty-one (21) years of age or older nor shall any person who appears visibly intoxicated be served. Under no circumstances may admission, in any form, including the payment of registration fees for a conference or program, be charged or may alcohol be sold except in the areas identified above where liquor licenses are held.
4. No alcohol is to be served on campus prior to 5 p.m. (Monday through Friday).
5. No alcohol will be served at events where students or others under the age of twenty-one (21) are present unless the event is being held at one of the sites holding a W.M.U. liquor license. Any exceptions to this policy for serving students who are over twenty-one (21), where undergrad students under the age of twenty-one (21) are present, must be approved by the Vice President of the requesting department.

Employees failing to comply with this policy are subject to disciplinary actions as outlined in the University Rules of Conduct.