Social Event Guidelines

Everything you need to know about hosting a Greek event

Before your sorority or fraternity can host an event involving alcohol, certain guidelines and expectations must be met. The OSFL Social Events Policy outlines IU’s minimum expectations for social events hosted or sponsored by sorority and fraternity organizations. Sororities and fraternities interested in hosting a Large Event or an Event with a High-Profile Performer should also review these guidelines.

Chapter leaders must be sure to read, understand, and follow the guidelines outlined in the policy when planning and hosting a social event.

Sorority & Fraternity Life

Indiana Memorial Union
Student Involvement Tower
Suite 371
900 E. 7th St.
Bloomington, IN 47405

Phone: 812-855-4311
Fax: 812-855-3584
Email: osfl@iu.edu

Event Guidelines and Limitations

To maintain a supportive academic environment, events with alcohol, events with High-Profile Performers, and Large Events, whether on-campus or off-campus, are only permitted between Thursday at 12:00 p.m. EST through Sunday at 5:00 p.m. EST.
Events with alcohol are permitted to occur Monday through Wednesday only during the weeks of Homecoming and Little 500. Events on these days must end by midnight, and are limited to two hosting Greek Organizations (e.g. one fraternity and one sorority) with no additional guests.
No events with alcohol may be held during the University’s Welcome Week (the week, including the weekend, before the start of the fall semester), finals week, or during other times when class is not in session.
Events with alcohol are only permitted between Thursday at 12 p.m. and Friday at midnight the weekend before finals week.
No more than four GOs (e.g. two sororities and two fraternities) may co-host an event with or without alcohol.
Organizations may not co-host events with suspended organizations, with organizations whose social restriction status prohibits such events, and with organizations that are on cease and desist.
All events with alcohol at the House Greek Organization facility or on campus are limited to less than 500 attendees. Events without alcohol are limited to 1,000 total attendees.
If an event is expected to have 500 or more attendees with alcohol, it must be held at a third-party vendor. This cannot take place on Indiana University campus or in University Recognized Housing.
If an event is expected to be a Large Event with 500 or more attendees or an Event with a High-Profile Performer, the event must have at least 5 trained and licensed security guards. The organization(s) hosting or sponsoring the event will be required to meet with the Campus Space Reservation Committee or a representative from the committee at least one month prior to the event.
There must be a ratio of 1 Event Monitor and/or Security Guard per 20 attendees at an event.
For Large Events or Events with High-Profile Performers, the GO must submit an interest form by the relevant deadline. For events that will take place during Homecoming week or the fall semester, the interest form is due September 1. For events that will take place during Little 500 qualifications, the interest form is due January 15. For events taking place during Little 500 week or the spring semester, the interest form must be submitted by February 1. All dates will be posted on the OSFL website prior to the annual policy review meeting in August.
- Philanthropy events with 500 or more attendees can be submitted four weeks prior to the event for the Campus Space Reservation Committee to review.
- Additional documentation is required for large events and events with high-profile performers. Documentation due dates will be determined by the Campus Space Reservation Committee Chair and will be communicated with the primary host organization.
- Organizations are prohibited from hosting large events or events with a high-profile performer on campus or at an HGO on the Saturday of Homecoming weekend or the Saturday of Little 500 weekend due to the other large campus events scheduled to take place those weekends.

Event notifications

Greek Organizations must provide notice to OSFL when planning to host or co-host an event. Events are functions or gatherings with or without alcohol, including, but not limited to: paired events, events at third-party vendors or off campus, date parties, day parties, formals, special events (e.g. family weekends such as "Mom's Weekend" or "Dad's Weekend," tailgates, philanthropy events, brotherhood/sisterhood events), and/or events with 500 or more attendees. Any philanthropy event with 500 or more attendees must also be registered through the Large Event Process.

For events without alcohol (e.g. brotherhood/sisterhood, ritual services and ceremonies, lectures, service and philanthropy events, etc.) can take place outside of the date and time restrictions.

Any organizations selling tickets for on-campus events must follow university policies regarding ticketing. Tickets for events on-campus and off-campus should not exceed the capacity of the space.

For each event the GO intends to host or co-host, the GO must submit an event notification form to OSFL through beINvolved by 11:59 p.m. EST by the Sunday prior to the event. Submit your social event notification on beINvolved here.

For events during the weeks of Homecoming and Little 500, including any Large Events or events with High-Profile Performers, the GO must submit an event notification form to OSFL through beINvolved by 11:59 p.m. EST two Sundays prior to the event.

If the Greek Organization plans to host any events within campus spaces, all applicable event notification forms must be submitted in addition to the OSFL event notification form.

Failure to submit event notification on time may result in additional fines, social restrictions, and/or referral to the Office of Student Conduct or the organization's respective council judicial board.

The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Life reserves the right to prohibit any large event or events with high-profile performers for any organization that fails to submit documentation by the required due date set by the Campus Space Reservation Committee. The organization will be responsible for all fees associated with cancellations due to non-compliance with OSFL and University Policies.

Provision of alcohol

No alcoholic product above 15% alcohol by volume (ABV) is permitted, including for any canned/bottled alcoholic beverages. Any beer or canned/bottled alcohol beverage may not exceed 12 fluid ounces.
Only members and guests who are 21 years of age or older may possess or consume alcohol at organization events. It is the responsibility of the organization to ascertain proof of legal drinking age of guests at the event.
Beer and other canned/bottled alcoholic beverages may only be served to persons of the age 21 or over if it is served in its original, unopened can or bottle.
Wine may only be served to persons of the age 21 or over if poured in plain sight at the bar by a bartender who is the age of 21 or over.
It is the responsibility of the Greek Organization to provide a sober bartender who is over 21 years of age.
The Greek Organization may not utilize organization funds to purchase alcohol that is served at events with alcohol.
A GO, its international or national organization, and/or the House Corporation may ban or otherwise limit all forms of alcohol provided at events hosted by the GO or in their chapter facility. In the absence of such regulations, beer, canned/bottled alcoholic beverages (e.g. hard seltzers, wine coolers), and/or wine may be possessed or consumed by the GO's members or guests at an event, but only so long as those possessing and/or consuming alcohol are the age of 21 or over and are otherwise complying with state law and the GO's policies.

Guest lists and attendance

Greek Organizations may not host events with alcohol that are open to the public. Additionally, Greek Organizations must create a guest list for each event hosted or co-hosted by the Greek Organization, and the attendance list at an event must be maintained by each Greek Organization hosting or co-hosting an event. Greek Organizations should not permit any non-student under the age of 18 at events with alcohol unless they are a current member of the organization, or their parent/guardian is also present. Attendance at events will be limited to the capacity of the space being used (ex. Event venue, chapter house, courtyard) as determined by the Indiana State Fire Marshall.

Keep the guest list and attendance list for an event at least two years following the event.
Provide a copy of the guest list to the Vice Chancellor for Student Life and Dean of Students Office, if requested.

Event monitors

Greek organizations must provide event monitors or paid/private security for each event hosted or sponsored by the Greek Organization at a minimum ratio of one (1) event monitor for every twenty (20) attendees.
For events that take place on-campus or in University Recognized Housing, all security hired to work at organization events must be on Indiana University’s approved vendor list.
All students serving as event monitors must complete OSFL’s Event Monitor Training annually. This training must also be completed prior to serving in this role at an event and must act without the use of any alcohol, illegal drugs, or any other substance that might impair the monitor’s awareness.
First-year students and/or first-semester members of the Greek Organization cannot make up more than 50% of the event monitors for an Event.
Each Greek Organization will provide event monitors to assist in protecting the safety of members and guests.
Wild and exotic animals are not permitted at social events.
All events must be compliant with fire codes and local amplified sound restrictions, such as the City of Bloomington’s noise ordinance and respective on-campus policies where applicable.
Events with Attractions and Amusement Devices (e.g. bounce houses or games, dunk tanks, mechanical bulls, inflatables, lighting, etc.)
- The GO must submit an event request on beINvolved for any events taking place on campus or at the HGO with these items. The GO should obtain a current certificate of insurance from the vendor. For events taking place on campus, contact INLOCC regarding certificates of insurance. If the event is taking place at the HGO, the certificate of insurance should list the GO as the certificate holder. (The HGO should contact its Headquarters and review its risk management policy to ensure that this type of event is covered under the GO's general liability insurance.)
- The GO must obtain consent forms from all participants and monitor the use of such items. All participants must be able to give consent when signing the waiver (e.g. they must not be under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs).

This policy operates in conjunction with, and does not supersede, any applicable local, state, or federal laws and regulations; the Indiana University Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life Recognition Policy; the Indiana University Student Organization Policy; the IU Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct (“Student Code”); any applicable inter/national headquarters organization-specific policies and procedures; or any other applicable IU policies and procedures. The GO is responsible for ensuring compliance with such laws and policies by its members and guests at all events for which the GO is a host or sponsor, including events in collaboration with other organizations. IU and the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life (“OSFL”) will not approve or monitor these events; however, OSFL will respond to any reports of the GO’s failure to comply with this policy.

a smartphone screen with the numbers 911

Indiana Lifeline Law

We urge students to look out for each other, both on and off university property. The Indiana Lifeline Law gives immunity for minor alcohol offenses to people who are seeking medical assistance for a person suffering from an alcohol-related health emergency.