Student Handbook – Event Approval Procedures

Alcohol is permitted to be served at events to students who are 21 years of age and older in a manner as stated in the Rice Alcohol Policy and consistent with state alcohol laws.  Students who are under the legal drinking age are not permitted to consume alcohol.  The Rice Alcohol Policy requires approval the Student Judicial Affairs Office for all events, whether on or off campus, where alcohol will be served, sold, or provided to students (including undergraduate and graduate students).

Students are allowed to host events serving alcohol.  Student hosts must accept responsibility for the events they host and must ensure that all applicable rules and regulations of both the University and the State of Texas are followed.  Hosts must submit a party plan, detailing the event, and a security plan for the event.  The approval process is completed online at the Office of Judicial Programs website.

Students wishing to host events at which alcoholic beverages will be served are required to become familiar with the Rice Alcohol Policy in the Student Handbook and online at both the Dean of Undergraduates website and at the Student Judicial Programs website and to receive the same training as required for alcohol servers.

Student hosts and servers are required to receive training  from the Student Judicial Programs Office and from the Wellness Center to be an alcohol server or to host an event.  Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) Seller/Server training can substitute for the training received from the Rice Wellness Center. 

Students need to provide the Student Judicial Programs (SJP) office verification of the training from the Wellness Center or TABC.  Once they have also completed SJP training, students will be added to a list of official hosts who have the ability to access the Alcoholic Beverage Form . The online form must be completed by the host and then approved by Student Judicial Programs and posted by the host at any event where alcoholic beverages are being served.  In general, online event approval forms should be submitted a week before the event is to occur. For some events, as determined by SJP, approval by the Rice University Police Department may also be required.