The Social Event Management Procedures (SEMP) reflect Dartmouth College’s commitment to provide the safest possible social atmosphere for members of the College community and their guests. Its success depends upon the cooperative efforts of students, faculty, administration, and alumni in both understanding and upholding the spirit of personal responsibility and respect for self and others that is embodied in these procedures. Any exceptions to these procedures must be approved in advance by the Office of the Greek Letter Organizations and Societies or the Collis Center for Student Envolvement.
Social gatherings at Dartmouth College are an important part of our community life. For all events, regardless if alcohol is present, we strive to achieve the following goals:
Irresponsible alcohol consumption can often interfere with the educational purpose and social climate of the College. All students and student organizations have a responsibility to follow the Social Event Management Procedures (SEMP) outlined below and will be held accountable for failure to follow the procedures. Students in the graduate and professional schools should refer to guidelines found at http://www.dartmouth.edu/~orl/greek-soc/pdfs/Graduate&ProfStudents.pdf
For definitions, see http://www.dartmouth.edu/~orl/greek-soc/semp/definitions.html.
To calculate servings, see Calculating Servings.
For frequently asked questions on SEMP procedures, see SEMP Procedure Frequently Asked Questions.
| Category | "Members Only" | "Closed Event" | "Open Event" | "Cocktail Party" (Tails) |
| Definition | Current undergraduate members of one organization | More than 40 members of an organization and invited guests not to exceed 80 people. |
All open events AND events with attendance at or exceeding 80 people. | Events by invitation only that are serving hard alcohol. |
| Registration | No notification or registration required |
Notification |
Registration...as is current practice | Registration with Student Activities |
| Walk-Throughs | No walk throughs | Incorporated as part of safety walk throughs | Walk throughs...as is current practice |
One Walk through |
| Hard Alcohol | Hard alcohol permitted | No hard alcohol | No hard alcohol | Hard alcohol permitted |
| Kegs | No kegs | A keg permitted | Kegs permitted | No kegs |
| Mgmt. Procedures | Internal organizational procedures | Current SEMP procedures without registration, walk throughs, wristbands, and keg tags; Internal risk management procedures with internal monitoring. |
Same as current SEMP procedures | Internal management & SEMP policy |
| Leadership Responsibility | Members are responsible for looking out for other members |
A minimum of 3 SEMP trained student workers. | A minimum of 5 SEMP trained student workers | A minimum of 3 SEMP trained student workers |
| Register "On the Fly" | No, "On the Fly" | Yes, call Safety & Security about closed events "On the Fly" |
No, "On the Fly" |
No, "On the Fly" |
All students and sponsoring organizations must comply with federal, state, local laws, and regulations concerning the service of alcohol at all times, including at member-only events. Students and sponsoring organizations must also fully observe the Dartmouth College Student Alcohol Policy.
It is recognized that this document cannot address, in specific fashion, all possible social situations that may occur. Where these procedures are not specific on a particular point, individual and organizational hosts are expected to conduct their social events and themselves in the spirit of social responsibility consistent with these procedures.
