The sale, service, and consumption of alcoholic beverages on the UC Merced campus is permitted in limited circumstances. See the following frequently asked questions about UC Merced policies and procedures.
Yes. The Alcohol Sales & Service procedure applies to UC Merced employees, official campus units that sponsor on- or off-campus events, campus Affiliated Organizations that occupy space on the campus, and non-University persons/groups who sponsor events on campus, and visitors. Chapter X of the Student Handbook contains the policy that applies to UC Merced students, student governments, and registered student organizations.
The serving of alcoholic beverages is only permitted at sponsored events for which a UC Merced Permit to Serve Alcoholic Beverages has been approved by an appropriate Permit Approval Authority.
The Permit must be approved by the Chancellor or by one of the following Permit Approval Authority designees per Campus Delegation of Authority 095:
In addition, the Vice Chancellor for Business & Administrative Services may approve a Permit if any of the other designees listed above is not available and for events sponsored by non-UC persons or groups.
For events approved by the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, the Permit is located in Chapter X of the Student Handbook. For all other events, the Permit to Serve Alcoholic Beverages is online.
No. Alcohol may only be served in the location specified on the approved UC Merced Permit to Serve Alcoholic Beverages and only after approval of a facilities use request or agreement.
Yes. All University sponsored events held off campus must comply with the Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy and therefore require an approved Permit to Serve Alcoholic Beverages.
The Permit requests information about the type of event, the location of the event, the type of alcohol being served, who is serving and providing the alcohol, and the source of funds used for the alcohol.
The completed Permit must be received by the appropriate Permit Approval Authority at least fifteen (15) working days prior to the date of the scheduled event. This allows staff time to research the requirements for the event and ensure compliance with policy and laws.
As the event sponsor, you need to make the approved Permit available at the event. Any law enforcement officer, University official, or officer of the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control has the right to inspect the Permit to assure that the event is being conducted as described. The event sponsor is responsible for being in attendance at the event and for compliance with state law and University policies and procedures for alcohol service. You are also responsible for seeing that the conduct of the event does not interfere with classes or other University activities.
Alcohol may only be served under the direct supervision of Campus Dining Services or an approved and insured caterer with a valid liquor license. All servers must be at least 21 years of age and have undergone responsible beverage service training such as TIPS or equivalent.
Yes, but only pursuant to a valid liquor license or a special one-day event permit issued by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control as detailed below. State law prohibits any State agency, including the University, from being licensed to sell alcoholic beverages (see below for the definition of sale of alcohol). No license to sell liquor may be issued in the name of the Regents or University. Only independent entities with their own non-profit tax IDs may be issued a liquor license.
Exchanging any consideration for alcoholic beverage service constitutes a sale. “Consideration” includes money, tickets, token, or chits that have been issued in exchange for money or anything else of value. The imposition of a uniform per person admission charge for the event, however, does not constitute a sale, provided the admission ticket or other evidence of payment is not exchangeable for alcoholic beverages.
Yes, provided you have an approved Permit to Serve Alcoholic Beverages. The imposition of a uniform per person admission charge for the event does not constitute a sale, provided the admission ticket or other evidence of payment is not exchangeable for alcoholic beverages.
No. Alcohol can be served or sold at any location specified on the Permit to Serve Alcoholic Beverages form as approved by the Permit Approval Authority.
The list of approved and insured caterers is on the How to Buy page on the Campus Purchasing website.
Yes. Food and non-alcoholic beverages must always be available at an event at which alcohol is being served.
The liquor licensee and/or event sponsor must adhere to the following:
Students living in residence halls must adhere to the alcohol guidelines in the UC Merced Housing & Residence Life Handbook.
