The UBC community is invited to comment on the proposed amendment of Policy #13 (Serving and Consumption of Alcohol at University Events or on University Premises).

Policy #13 identifies four general sets of circumstances in which alcohol may be served. It should be updated in light of recent legislative changes to liquor licensing and opportunities for streamlining liquor licensing at UBC Vancouver. It should also be amended to allow for different approval processes for with alcohol events at UBC Okanagan and UBC Vancouver (Point Grey and Robson Square).

For the 2012/2013 academic year, there were approximately 430 special occasion licenses at UBC-controlled facilities, approximately half of which were for student organized events. One of the primary goals of the committee was to develop a concise, user-friendly policy that clearly establishes the governing principles and processes for hosting with alcohol events at UBC facilities and at off-campus UBC events.

Set out below are key proposed amendments to Policy #13:

• Policy #13 requires all with alcohol events on University premises outside of licensed establishments to obtain a special occasion license. However, the provincial licensing regime does not require a special occasion license if certain conditions are met. The proposed amendments specifically recognize “License Exempt Events” and create procedures for obtaining approval for these types of events.
• Legislative changes have created a new category of licenses for caterers to hold “catering authorizations” to serve alcohol at catered events. The proposed amendments permit this type of license holder to serve alcohol at UBC facilities and set out procedures for doing so.
• In practice, UBC Okanagan, UBC Robson Square and UBC Vancouver Point Grey have each established their own approval process for with alcohol events. The proposed amendments provide flexibility to accommodate campus-specific circumstances and user groups while still requiring periodic review and accountability to the Responsible Executive. This flexibility will also accommodate the new process for approval of outdoor with alcohol events at UBC Vancouver Point Grey which will be implemented in Spring 2014.

The proposed amendments to Policy #13 are now being published and all members of the University community are encouraged to provide their comments. Please submit feedback to the Office of the University Counsel at university.counsel@ubc.ca by March 14, 2014.