All college chapters are responsible for annually instructing their members and associate members about this Member Safety and Wellness Policy.

ALCOHOL AND DRUGS

1. The possession, use and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages, while on chapter premises, during an official Fraternity event, or in any situation or setting sponsored or endorsed by the chapter, must be in compliance with any and all applicable laws of your state, county, and city. No person under the legal drinking age may possess, consume, provide or be provided alcoholic beverages.
2. The sale of alcohol, by any chapter is prohibited. This prohibition includes any action that is a functional substitute for the sale of alcohol such as: charging for admission to parties, passing the hat, selling empty cups, or selling drink tickets.
3. Alcoholic beverages may not be purchased with chapter funds. Nor, may the purchase of alcoholic beverages be undertaken or coordinated by any member in the name of or on behalf of the chapter. Alcoholic beverages must not be purchased with chapter/organizational funds or funds pooled by members or guests (e.g., admission fees, cover fees, collecting funds through digital apps, etc.).
4. Chapter events may not involve the use of bulk quantities of alcohol, kegs of beer or any common source container of alcohol. Common sources of alcohol, including bulk quantities, which are not being served by a licensed and insured third party vendor, are prohibited (i.e., amounts of alcohol greater than what a reasonable person should consume over the duration of an event).Alcoholic beverages must either be:
   1. Provided and sold on a per-drink basis by a licensed and insured third-party vendor (e.g., restaurant, bar, caterer, etc.); or
   2. Brought by individual members and guests through a bring your own beverage (“BYOB”) system.

   The presence of alcohol products above 15% alcohol by volume (“ABV”) is prohibited on any chapter/organization premises or at any event, except when served by a licensed and insured third-party vendor.

5. Any legal use of alcohol by members or guests should not permit, encourage, coerce, glorify or participate in the encouragement of rapid consumption, drinking games, or the direct or indirect pressuring of any person to consume alcohol.
6. No chapter shall sponsor open parties, meaning those with unrestricted access and without specific invitation, where alcohol is present. Attendance by non-members at any event where alcohol is present must be by invitation only, and the chapter/organization must utilize a guest list system. Attendance at events with alcohol is limited to a 3:1 maximum guest-to-member ratio and must not exceed local fire or building code capacity of the chapter/organizational premises or host venue.
7. Any event or activity related to the new member joining process (e.g., recruitment, intake, rush, etc.) must be substance free. No alcohol or drugs may be present if the event or activity is related to new member activities, meetings, or initiation into an organization, including but not limited to “bid night,” “big/little” events or activities, “family” events or activities, and any ritual or ceremony.
8. No chapter may co-sponsor, co-promote or co-finance an event with a bar, tavern, distributor of alcohol, charitable organization, or student organization where alcohol is sold, given away or otherwise provided. A chapter/organization must not co-host or co-sponsor an event with a bar, event promoter, or alcohol distributor; however, a chapter/organization may rent a bar, restaurant, or other licensed and insured third- party vendor to host a chapter/organization event.A chapter/organization must not co-host or co-sponsor, or in any way participate in, an activity or event with another group or entity that purchases or provides alcohol.
9. Members and their guests must follow the federal law regarding illegal drugs and controlled substances. No person may possess, use, provide, distribute, sell, and/or manufacture illegal drugs or other controlled substances while on chapter/organizational premises or at any activity or event sponsored or endorsed by the chapter/organization.

HAZING

The term “hazing” means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person, whether individually or in concert with other persons, against any individual or group of individuals, regardless of affiliation, whether or not committed on Sigma Tau Gamma property, for the purpose of recruiting, joining, pledging, initiating, admitting, affiliating, or for the purpose of retaining membership in an organization that causes an individual or group of individuals to do any of the following, regardless of a person’s willingness to participate:

1. Be coerced to violate federal, state, provincial, local law, or Sigma Tau Gamma policy.
2. Be coerced to consume any food, liquid, alcoholic liquid, drug, or other substance in any non- customary manner which subjects the individual or group of individuals to a substantial risk of emotional or physical harm which includes but not limited to sickness, vomiting, intoxication, or unconsciousness.
3. Endure brutality of a physical nature, including but not limited to whipping, beating, paddling, branding, dangerous physical activity, or exposure to elements or endure threats of such conduct that results in mental or physical harm.
4. Endure brutality of a mental nature, including but not limited to activity adversely affecting the mental health or dignity of the individual, sleep deprivation, exclusion from social contact or conduct that could result in extreme embarrassment or endure threats of such conduct that results in mental or physical harm.
5. Endure any other activity which adversely affects the health and safety of an individual, including but not limited to the disruption of academic performance or class attendance, required designated driving programs, line ups, calisthenics, or personal, physical, or financial servitude.