Alcohol Policy for Students and Student Organizations

Alcoholic beverages are not permitted on University owned or controlled properties or at functions sponsored by The University of Findlay off campus. Students violating this policy may be suspended from the University.

Any students who, in the judgment of the administration, show definite evidence of intoxication or who have possession of alcoholic beverages or "empties" on University owned or controlled property will be subject to judicial action which may include one or more of the following: a monetary fine, probation status, counseling, community service, restitution, restriction in campus access, suspension or dismissal.

Since alcohol is not permitted on University owned or controlled properties, all students present where an alcohol violation occurs are subject to disciplinary action regardless of age. In University Townhouses, Cottages, Special Interest Houses, and Fraternity and Sorority Houses, all residents can be held responsible for alcohol violations occuring anywhere in the unit.

All student organizations of The University of Findlay that violate the alcohol policy are subject to the following sanctions:

First Violation - Two years of disciplinary probation* and a $1,000 fine for the organization.

Second Violation - (while on probation) Extension of probation* for one year and a $1,500 fine for the organization and possible loss of University recognition as an organization.

Third Violation - Automatic loss of recognition by The University of Findlay.

*Probation terms for student groups will vary based on the type and severity of the violation, and the University reserves the right to assign probation terms as it sees appropriate.

Campus Performances

When faculty, staff, students, or student organizations wish to bring a performance to campus, The University of Findlay Campus Rider must be utilized.  The Student Activities Office and the Facilities Office will assist individuals with the process to insure that all University policies are adhered to by all parties involved in the performance.

Fraternity/Sorority Housing Policy

In order for a fraternity or sorority to be recognized by the University, the house they reside in must be classified as "on-campus housing." Regardless of who owns the house, chapter members and residents of the house are subject to the same policies other "on-campus housing" units and residents are subject to. All rules and regulations of The University of Findlay, including residence hall regulations and visitation policies, apply to fraternity and sorority houses. All individuals involved in a violation will be individually subject to disciplinary action, and the chapter as a whole will be subject to disciplinary action as well.

Fundraising

Student organizations may raise funds for their group’s University club account by following the guidelines indicated on the Fund Raiser Permit.

Since it is the responsibility of the Office of Development to work with area businesses and individuals to secure donations, sponsorships, products and gifts-in-kind for the University, student organizations may not approach any business or individual with a request for donations, sponsorships, services, products, or gifts-in-kind until a completed Fundraiser Permit Form is submitted to the Student Activities Office for review, and official approval is granted.

Only two fundraising events may run concurrently each day. The maximum time any one fundraising event can run is five consecutive days. Fundraiser permit forms may only be submitted when fall and spring semester classes are in session. Permit requests submitted prior to the start of a semester cannot be approved until classes begin.

Student groups failing to adhere to established fundraising guidelines stated herein will have the following sanctions imposed:
• 1st violation – all donations must be returned to the donors and the student group will be placed on warning status.
• 2nd violation – all donations must be returned to the donors and the student group will move to probation status.
• 3rd violation – all donations must be returned to the donors and the student group’s University Charter will be revoked for one year.
• 4th violation – all donations must be returned to the donors and the student group’s University Charter will be permanently revoked.

Please note: If monetary donations cannot be returned to individual donors, the funds will be deposited to the Campus Programming Board account to be used in support of campus programming.

I. DEFINITION: A fundraising activity is an attempt by the members of a student organization to raise money for its own purpose.
A. Appropriate fundraisers are programs or sales in which a service, product or form of entertainment is provided by the members of the organization (e.g. car wash, t-shirt sale, Valentine's Day message sale, flower sale, bake sale, etc.).
B. Raffles may not be held by student organizations because state law requires that any organization or club holding a raffle must have 501(C) (3) tax exempt status. No organizations or clubs are permitted to utilize the University’s 501(c) (3) status.
C. Student organizations wishing to solicit off campus businesses or organizations must submit a detailed proposal that includes the names of the businesses or organizations to be solicited. This should be attached to the fundraiser permit form when submitted. This will then be reviewed by Student Activities and Development to determine if approval is appropriate.

II. PROCEDURES: The following action steps should be completed at least two weeks prior to the event.
A. A Fundraiser Permit Form must be completed and submitted to the Director of Student Activities, and the fundraising activity may not begin until the Director of Student Activities gives official approval. The Fundraiser Permit Form (on the back of this page) is available in the Student Activities Office, the Student Government Office, and online. If the online form is used, please print it on goldenrod colored paper prior to submitting it.
B. A Permit for Use of Facilities Form must be submitted after approval of the Fundraiser Permit Form.
C. If food or any food service materials are required for an on-campus fundraiser, arrangements must be made with Sodexo at Ext. 4542.

III. APPROVAL: Fundraisers will only be approved when all University policies and procedures are properly followed.
A. The Director of Student Activities reserves the right to deny a fundraising request or cancel a planned fundraiser if a student organization fails to adhere to all University policies and procedures (http://www.findlay.edu, keyword – policies).
B. Once a decision is rendered regarding a fundraising request, a copy of the form with the decision noted will be sent to the student organization mailbox.

Gambling

Gambling in any form is prohibited. Students violating this regulation shall be subject to suspension.

Hazing in Student Organizations

All student organizations (Greek and non-Greek) are subject to the UF hazing policy listed below:

Section 2307.44

Any person who is subjected to hazing, as defined in division (A) of Section 2903.31 of the revised code, may commence a civil action for injury or damages, including mental and physical pain and suffering, that result from the hazing. The action may be brought against any participants in the hazing, and the organization whose local or national directors, trustees, or officers authorized, requested, commanded, or tolerated the hazing, and any local or national director, trustee, or officer of the organization who authorized, requested, commanded, or tolerated the hazing. If the hazing involves students in a primary, secondary, or post-secondary school, university, college, or any other educational institution, an action may also be brought against any administrator, employee, or faculty member of the school, university, college, or other educational institution who knew or reasonably should have known of the hazing and who did not make reasonable attempts to prevent it and against the school, university, college, or other educational institution. If an administrator, employee, or faculty member is found liable in a civil action for hazing, then not withstanding Chapter 2743 of the revised code, the school, university, college, or other educational institution that employed the administrator, employee, or faculty member may also be held liable.

The negligence or consent of the plaintiff or any assumption of the risk by the plaintiff is not a defense to an action brought pursuant to this section. In an action against a school, university, college, or other educational institutions, it is an affirmative defense that the school, university, college, or other institution was actively enforcing a policy against hazing at the time the cause of action arose.

Section 2903.31

A. As used in this section, "hazing" means doing an act or coercing another, including the victim, to do any act of initiation into any student or other organization that causes mental or physical harm to any person.

B. 1. No person shall recklessly participate in the hazing of another.

2. No administrator, employee, or faculty member of any primary, secondary, or post-secondary school or of any other educational institution, public or private, shall recklessly permit the hazing of any person.

C. Whoever violates this section is guilty of hazing, misdemeanor of the fourth degree.

Any UF student organization or group found guilty of hazing will be subject to a $500 fine, disciplinary action and possible loss of University recognition.

Posting of Signs and Announcements on Campus

All The University of Findlay faculty, staff, students, and registered student organizations wishing to display any type of publicity must abide by the following regulations:

1. All fliers and posters posted on campus and distributed to on-campus mailboxes must be approved/stamped by the Office of Facilities Scheduling & Events. UF groups/individuals are responsible for providing copies of fliers; all copies must be approved/stamped. Fliers are to be posted on designated bulletin boards only, with staples (no tape, glue, or thumbtacks). Fliers may not be posted on glass doors or windows, except when used as directional/informational signs, during the day of the event and in the building of the event. UF groups/individuals are responsible for distributing fliers to on-campus mailboxes through Postal Services. Groups/individuals are responsible for distributing fliers to Resident Assistants through the Student Services Office. Fliers ARE NOT to be slipped under residents’ doors or taped to doors.

2. Fliers/posters may be posted for a maximum of one month previous to an event and should be removed by the group/individual within 24 hours after the event.

3. Fliers/posters may be no larger than 11” X 17” Exceptions are professionally printed posters, i.e.: theatre productions, entertainers, Homecoming, and musical series.

4. Table tents in The Cave and Henderson Dining Hall must be scheduled through and approved by the Office of Student Activities. One organization/event may publicize using table tents at a scheduled time. This is on a first-come, first-served basis. Note: The Cave and Henderson Dining Hall have the first option of using table tents for promotion.

5. Groups/individuals may advertise their event on the windows of the west side of the AMU. Dates must be reserved through the Office of Facilities Scheduling & Events. Groups/individuals may reserve either the north or the south windows, allowing for two events to be advertised at one time. This is on a first-come, first-served basis.

6. Banners must be made on twin or full flat sheets with the large hem at the top.  They may hang from the AMU north and south balconies, Cory Street Mall Gazebo-south side, Buford Gazebo-west side, AMU Gazebo, and Deming Hall. Banners hanging in the AMU must be secured with twine or tacked into the tack strips; NO TAPE MAY BE USED. Banners hanging outside must be submitted to the Office of Facilities Scheduling & Events three days prior to the event; they will then be submitted to Physical Plant for hanging. Individuals/groups wishing to use this form of advertisement must reserve space through the Office of Facilities Scheduling & Events. This is on a first-come, first-served basis. Banners may hang for six days prior to the event and must be removed immediately at the conclusion of the event if hanging in the AMU. Physical Plant will remove banners hanging outside. Banners to be hung outside MUST use waterproof paint. If the paint runs, the organization will be billed for the clean-up/damages.

7. ALL off-campus organizations or businesses wishing to post fliers/posters must receive approval from the Office of Facilities Scheduling & Events prior to doing so.

8. All campus-wide voice mail messages must be submitted to and approved by the Office of Student Activities for distribution. Upon approval, a representative from the organization/department will be expected to schedule an appointment to record the message intended for distribution.

9. Organizations wishing to chalk walks as a form of advertising must make reservations in the Office of Facilities Scheduling & Events. Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

10. UF does not permit landlords, housing developments/associations or realty companies to post rental advertisements on campus. Inquiries may be directed to the Office of Facilities Scheduling & Events.

11. Students/Faculty/Staff wishing to advertise items for sale must submit the advertisement/flier to the Office of Facilities Scheduling & Events. (Please have valid UF I.D.)  Advertisements will be posted in the basement of Old Main. Advertisements posted elsewhere will be taken down.

12. Posting Fliers on vehicles parked on UF property is not permitted.

For more information, questions, or locations of bulletin boards, contact the Office of Facilities Scheduling & Events at: 1-800-472-9502 ext.6942 or facilities@findlay.edu.