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Alcohol Policy

Alcohol Policy

Guidelines for responsible alcohol consumption and management within Wesley College premises and at College events.

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Background

Wesley College expects and requires a responsible attitude to alcohol consumption by all members of its community. This expectation is consistent with our Values of respect, integrity and inclusiveness, and is a not-negotiable obligation of all students.

At any time, there may be two liquor licenses held by the College, one in relation to our caterer, serving the dining hall and associated catered functions and the other by the Licensee of the Students' Club of Wesley College.

Both licenses are approved by the Master of the College on an annual basis i.e. each license exists under the umbrella of the College and is not stand-alone or independent of the College. Both licenses are administered by OLGR (NSW Department of Liquor, Gaming and Racing).

The Students' Club license is a restricted license and the College does not permit the Students' Club to operate an 'open bar' to or for members of the public.

This policy applies to all students, staff and visitors when:

  • residing, visiting or working within the College
  • attending or organizing a College event, function or activity, whether or not on College grounds
  • choosing to consume alcohol outside of a licensed event whilst inside the College

Policy Objectives

The College, in forming its policy on Alcohol, ensures that it will abide by all applicable state laws.

The College further acknowledges that it is a signatory to the Liquor Accord of the University of Sydney.

The following College Values in particular will guide our approach to alcohol within the College community:

  • We act responsibly and ensure the safety of others
  • We display respect to others
  • We respect and support each other
  • We accept responsibility

Ultimately, our objectives are to prevent and reduce harm from alcohol by ensuring that:

  1. The consumption of alcohol is a matter of individual choice at all times, and that responsible attitudes and behaviours towards the consumption of alcohol are promoted;
  2. The service and consumption of alcohol within the College is approached in a responsible manner and RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) is observed at all times;
  3. The consumption of alcohol does not lead to inappropriate behaviour which impacts the safety of any individual, the physical property of the College or its residents or brings the College or the University into disrepute; and
  4. Alcohol is not seen as fundamental to enjoying life at Wesley or to the success of any function arranged at the College or by the Students' Club.

Definitions

Guest (a) a person who has been invited to attend a dinner (e.g. Victory Dinner, special dinner with a guest speaker) at the invitation of the Master. A Guest list is provided to Caterer and Security.
(b) a person who has been invited into, and is accompanied whilst in the College, by a current Resident.

Intoxication Under the Liquor Act 2007, a person is intoxicated if
(a) The person's speech, balance, coordination or behaviour is noticeably affected, and
(b) It is reasonable in the circumstances to believe that the affected speech, balance, coordination or behaviour is the result of the consumption of liquor.

Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA)
Means the serving of alcohol in a responsible manner, consistently with the requirements of the Liquor Act 2007 (NSW) and regulations and guidelines issued by the NSW Department of Industry.

Member of the Public – a person not associated with the college or another college on campus (Intercol).

Principles

The following principles will apply:

General
  1. Wesley College promotes a harm minimisation approach in relation to it functions and events that involve the supply and management of alcohol. Harm minimisation considers the health, social and economic consequences of alcohol use, both for the individual and the Wesley community as a whole.
  2. There will be no service to any person less than 18 years of age.
  3. No student should ever feel pressured to consume alcohol. The act of pressuring another student to consume alcohol is considered as hazing and will be considered a serious disciplinary matter and will be referred for disciplinary action.
  4. There should be no practices that promote irresponsible consumption of alcohol at any function within the College. The promotion of irresponsible consumption is not in line with our harm minimisation approach and will be considered a serious disciplinary matter.
  5. Alcohol may be consumed in public spaces of the College, subject to the approval of a 'small event form' and provided that there is no disturbance to others and subject to alcohol free zones specified below.
  6. The Front Lawns (including Callaghan and Purser lawns), Main Foyer, Library and Library Terrace, tutorial rooms, Atrium and Academic Centre are alcohol free zones, unless there is a function event approved for these spaces.
  7. Corridors are not considered public spaces where alcohol can be consumed in groups.
Licensing
  1. The Master sanctions or authorises the license for both Caterer and Students' Club each year. In the event of breaches of the Alcohol Policy, the sanction for the issue of the license may be withdrawn by the Master. As a corollary of this principle, the Student Club nominee as Licensee must be approved by the Master, and the House Committee is expected and required to support the Licensee in the execution of the role.
  2. The Licensees must ensure that all staff (either paid or voluntary) working in the service of alcohol hold a current RSA certificate and must be sober for the duration of the event. The licensees must also ensure that all required signage is displayed appropriately within the licensed area.
  3. Licensees must attend meetings of the Liquor Accord and any other associated meetings required to maintain their license.
  4. Appropriate security staff numbers must be employed for all student functions within the College and must include a registered RSA Marshall as part of the Security team for the function. This needs to reflect the minimum requirements under the license.
  5. The licensee is responsible for the opening and closing down of functions and must be present for the duration of the function. This must comply with the requested and agreed times on the Function Request form. All service of alcohol must conclude by 11.30pm at the latest.
  6. All events, with service of alcohol, on the front lawn, in the Courtyard and within the Dining Hall must be licensed.
Supply of Alcohol at Licensed Events
  1. Alcohol provided must be pre mixed if it contains spirits. Under the Student License, alcohol that contains spirits must be provided in pre-mix ready to drink cans only. In addition, ready to drink products must not contain more than 5% alcohol.
  2. "shots" or "bombs" may not be served.
  3. Non-alcoholic drinks, as well as water, must be provided at all events. The supply of stimulant or 'energy' drinks at events where alcohol is served is prohibited. Alcohol consumption should not be promoted by the use of non-standard measures, the use of drinking competitions, or encouraging individuals to consume jugs or other quantities of alcohol on their own which are intended to be shared among multiple people.
  4. Students or guests who are deemed to be intoxicated will not be allowed to enter a function or will be asked to leave the function area and will not be allowed to return. This is the obligation of the licensee or their delegate. Disciplinary action may result from an expulsion from an event due to intoxication.
Other Matters and Special Conditions
  1. All events involving alcohol must have a Function Request or Small Event Form completed and approved by the Master no less than 48 hours prior to the function. Approval of the requested hours etc. should not be automatically presumed.
  2. All Students' Club related functions are restricted to cans or plastic cups of standard drinking size. Glass must not be used.
  3. STUVAC and Exam periods should be listed as a no alcohol event period in college. All common spaces will be designated as no alcohol during this time period each semester.
  4. Week 13 in Semester 1 and Week 13 Valedictory Dinner in Semester 2 should be the final Student Club event where a liquor license is in operation. No further events permitted after Valete.
  5. On Courtyard event nights, where the Student Club license is in operation, The JCR is unavailable during the event and will be closed until an agreed time with the Master, depending on the event. The JCR is not part of any licensed event space in the College and special permission to hold a licensed event or private small group function in the JCR must be sought from the Master.
  6. It is understood that on any night when there is a special dinner in operation in the Dining Hall, followed by an approved Student Club Licensed event in the courtyard, there can be no other prearranged or organised Student Club or any other Wesley organised event on the same day. This includes any College organised events off site, and is to ensure RSA can be met during the licensed events that evening.

Disciplinary Matters

  1. Any breach of this policy and all matters related to unacceptable behaviour arising under this policy will be managed pursuant to the Harassment Policy and Procedures and/or the Discipline Policy.
  2. Intoxication will not be considered as a defense or mitigating factor in any disciplinary action against a breach to this policy.
  3. Failure to abide by these policy requirements and any related directions by the Master or any of her staff may lead to withdrawal or suspension of the Students' Club license at any time.
Policy Review

This Alcohol Policy is to be reviewed annually by Wesley College Council (next review date end of 2024). Approved 6 December 2018.

Document Information:
Last Updated: 2024
Next Review: End of 2024
Approved: 6 December 2018