Alcohol may be sold or served at events if appropriate procedures are followed. The campus’s Alcohol Sales and Service Procedure applies to all events held at owned or leased university property, and events held off premises when directed, managed or supervised by the university. This procedure also applies to all private events sponsored by non-campus groups held on owned or leased university property.
Alcohol policy and procedures for students, student governments and registered student organizations are separate from this procedure and described in Section 313.00 of the UC Merced Student Handbook.
Possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages in individual residences on University premises is controlled by the Housing and Residence Life Handbook.
Off campus events held in private facilities or residences which are primarily social in nature and hosted by University faculty, administration or staff and which are not paid for with University funds are not considered to be a University sponsored event.
Alcohol Service/Sales for Event Sponsored by UC Merced
When planning to serve alcohol at an event sponsored by UC Merced, the following steps must be completed for approval:
- Complete the Permit to Serve Alcoholic Beverages (see instructions)
- Submit Permit to the appropriate Vice Chancellor fifteen days prior to the event.
- Get UCM Police signature on the Permit
- Complete a purchase requisition for the estimated costs for alcohol (If alcohol is donated, skip this step)
- Alcohol can be purchased from a vendor on the pre-approved caterers list, Costco, or any retail business licensed to sell alcohol.
- Contact Procurement ext. 4669 for information on how to have a vendor added to the list.
- Alcohol must be served by trained servers supervised by Lakeside Catering or a vendor on the pre-approved caterers list.
When planning to sell alcohol at an event sponsored by UC Merced, the following steps must be completed for approval:
- Complete the Permit to Serve Alcoholic Beverages (see instructions)
- Submit Permit to the appropriate Vice Chancellor fifteen days prior to the event.
- Get UCM Police signature on the Permit
- Whether the alcohol is donated or purchased (using a purchase requisition), it can only be sold at the event by a vendor from the pre-approved caterers list who has or can get a liquor license or one-day permit to sell alcohol from the Department of Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC).
- Alcohol must be served by trained servers supervised by Lakeside Catering or the selected vendor in step two above.
Alcohol Service/Sales for Event Sponsored by UC Merced Foundation
When planning to serve alcohol at an event sponsored by UC Merced Foundation, the following steps must be completed for approval:
- Complete the Permit to Serve Alcoholic Beverages
- Submit Permit to Vice Chancellor Development & Alumni Relations fifteen days prior to the event.
- Get UCM Police signature on the Permit
- Complete a purchase requisition for the estimated costs for alcohol (If alcohol is donated, skip this step)
- Alcohol can be purchased from a vendor on the pre-approved caterers list, Costco, or any retail business licensed to sell alcohol.
- Contact Procurement ext. 4669 for information on how to have a vendor added to the list.
- Alcohol must be served by trained servers supervised by Lakeside Catering or a vendor on the pre-approved caterers list.
When planning to sell alcohol at an event sponsored by UC Merced Foundation, the following steps must be completed for approval:
- Complete the Permit to Serve Alcoholic Beverages
- Submit Permit to Vice Chancellor Development & Alumni Relations fifteen days prior to the event.
- Get UCM Police signature on the Permit
- Whether the alcohol is donated or purchased (using a purchase requisition), it can be sold at the event only as follows:
- By a vendor from the pre-approved caterers list who has or can get a liquor license or one-day permit to sell alcohol from the Department of Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC).
- By UCM Foundation after obtaining a one-day permit to sell alcohol from the ABC.
- Alcohol must be served by trained servers supervised by Lakeside Catering or the selected vendor.
Alcohol Service/Sales for Event Sponsored by Student Clubs
When planning to serve or sell alcohol at an event sponsored by a Student Club, contact the Office of Student Life for assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does UC Merced have a policy on alcohol on campus?
In what circumstances can alcohol be served?
Who approves the Permit to Serve Alcoholic Beverages?
Where can I obtain the Permit?
Can alcohol be served anywhere on campus?
Do I need a Permit if my event is off campus?
What kind of information do I need to provide on the Permit?
How far in advance of the scheduled event do I need to submit the Permit to Serve Alcoholic Beverages?
What do I do with the Permit after it has been approved?
If we provide our own alcohol, can we serve it ourselves at the event?
Can we sell alcohol at our event?
What constitutes a “sale” of alcohol?
Can we serve alcohol at our event if we are charging an admission price or soliciting donations?
Are there any restrictions on where alcohol can be served or sold?
Where can I find the list of approved and insured caterers?
Do we have to serve food and non-alcoholic beverages at our event?
What other rules must we adhere to when serving alcohol at our event?
What is the alcohol policy in the residence halls?
For additional information contact:
Questions about this procedure, the alcohol permit, alcohol risk or insurance: Risk Services, 209-228-4705
Questions about security: Department of Public Safety, 209-228-8273
Questions about approved caterers: Procurement Services, 209-228-4070
