Making Events Memorable

Greg Halloran
Compliance Specialist

Across North America, October is one of the most fun filled months of the year on college campuses. Students are celebrating homecoming, alumni weekends, football games and Halloween events. Unfortunately, this year, like every other year, some college students won't remember the Halloween party or other fun event they attended. Some college students will underestimate the effects alcohol will have on them and convince themselves they need to over consume in order to have a good time.

Parties and social events are a great way to enjoy the college experience, but when a person feels the need to drink to the point where they blackout, the memories of the fun times they had in college are going to be less than they would like. As October begins, Tau Kappa Epsilon wants our chapters and colonies to ask themselves: What are you doing to make sure your members and guests are safe and drinking responsibly?

Here are three ideas to get you thinking:

1. Keep Your Events Invite Only - Parties and social events are more fun and much safer when the guests are people you know. If you didn't think of them when you were making the guest list, why do you want them there? Your chapter or colony should build up some hype for your guests and make them feel like they are a VIP for receiving an invite. Also remember that having a printed guest list is the best way to make sure you know who was at your event and who wasn't. The sober brothers at the door should be checking each person in and turning away people who are not on the list and those who are already intoxicated.
2. Control The Alcohol. Don't Provide It - Keep your events BYOB and limit the amount and type of alcohol people are bringing in. Those who are 21 and older should only be bringing in an amount of alcohol that is safe for them to consume and not providing it to their underage friends. Limiting the alcohol being brought into your event to just beer will save you from a headache (in more ways than one). Removing hard liquor from your events will help prevent over consumption. Many adults do not realize that a standard serving of hard liquor is 1.5oz (which is about equal to consuming one 12oz beer). Those who make their own drinks will sometimes unknowingly serve themselves double or triple that amount and become dangerously intoxicated very quickly.
3. Communication Prevents Problems - Prior to your events there are three groups of people you should be communicating with, in addition to your members. The first group is your school and advisors. Have them review your event idea and your risk management plan and ask for feedback. It's better to ask now than to find out when something happens. The second group is your local police. During these times of celebration, local police are on a heightened alert. Make it a point to reach out to them and share your event details and risk management plan for the event. This will help assure them that they have nothing to worry about with your event and it will make everyone feel more comfortable to reach out if a problem does arise. The last, and most important group of people to communicate with are your guests. Make sure your guests are aware of your policies and what will happen if they do not follow them. Also make sure they are aware that sober brothers will be present and how they can identify them, should a problem occur.

Social events with alcohol are always a risk, but if done in the right way, you can make them safer and more enjoyable for your members and guests. If your group does not want to take on the risk of having events are your house, look into utilizing a third party vendor. Whether you decide to host at a private residence or a third party vendor, keep in mind that when people go out to socialize they are going for a fun and safe environment. Make sure your chapter or colony creates a kind of atmosphere that allows your members and guests to feel comfortable and safe at your events.

Click here for more information on safe social events with alcohol.