FIPG's alcohol and drug rules set hard limits on what your chapter can host, buy, or allow — from how alcohol gets purchased to what counts as a drinking game. Get these wrong and you put the chapter's charter and members' safety at risk. Here's exactly what's required.
For: Social chairmen, risk management chairmen, and anyone planning a chapter event.
When: Before you plan any event where alcohol might be present, and before rush/recruitment.
The Core Rule
Any alcohol at a chapter event must comply with all applicable state, county, city, and university laws and policies — and must follow either the BYOB Guidelines or the Third-Party Vendor Guidelines. There's no third option.
📌 Policy — Every event where alcohol is present must be run under BYOB or Third-Party Vendor guidelines. If an event doesn't fit either model, it isn't compliant.
What's Prohibited
☐ Purchasing alcohol with chapter funds
☐ A member coordinating an alcohol purchase on the chapter's behalf, even with personal funds
☐ Bulk or common-source alcohol — kegs, cases, or similar
☐ Open parties: unrestricted access for non-members with no specific invitation, where alcohol is present
☐ Serving, selling, or purchasing alcohol for anyone under the legal drinking age
☐ Illegal drugs or controlled substances on chapter premises, at a fraternity event, or at any event an observer would associate with the fraternity
☐ Co-sponsoring, co-financing, or attending a function where alcohol is purchased by any host chapter, group, or organization
☐ Alcohol at any recruitment or rush activity
☐ Alcohol at any new member program, activity, or ritual — including bid night, big/little events, family events, and initiation
☐ Drinking games of any kind
Tavern and Distributor Events — the Fine Print
Co-sponsoring an event with an alcohol distributor or a tavern (an establishment generating more than half its sales from alcohol) is prohibited when alcohol is given away, sold, or otherwise provided to those present — including fundraisers held on that property.
⚠️ Watch out — There's a narrow exception: your chapter may rent or use a room or area in a tavern for a closed event run within this policy, including a third-party vendor and a guest list. That's different from co-sponsoring or fundraising with the venue — don't confuse the two.
What Counts as a "Drinking Game"
The definition is broader than most members assume. It includes, but isn't limited to:
☐ Shots of alcohol, liquor, or any alcoholic beverage
☐ Consuming a number of shots tied to one's age
☐ "Beer pong"
☐ "Century club"
☐ "Dares"
☐ Any activity involving alcohol consumption tied to duress or encouragement
✅ Best practice — If an activity pressures or encourages someone to drink a set amount, treat it as a drinking game even if it doesn't match one of the named examples above.
FAQ
Can we rent space in a bar for a chapter event?
Yes — a closed event in a rented room or area, run with a third-party vendor and a guest list, is allowed. Co-sponsoring a fundraiser or open event with the venue is not.
Is BYOB always allowed?
BYOB is one of the two approved models, alongside Third-Party Vendor Guidelines — but it must still meet every other requirement in this policy, including age laws and the ban on bulk/common sources like kegs.
What if members bring their own alcohol to a new member event?
Alcohol is prohibited at any new member program, activity, or ritual — including bid night and big/little events — regardless of who brings it.
Does this apply to alumni events too?
Yes. The policy applies to all levels of fraternity membership, including alumni, and to any event an observer would associate with the fraternity.
Questions? Contact your Chapter Services Consultant.
Last reviewed: September 2026.