Social Host Resource Guide Illinois State University
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P a g e | 1 Social Host Resource Guide Illinois State University P a g e | 2 Table of Contents Section 1: Risk Management 3 Section 2: Community Relations 6 Section 3: Event Monitors 7 Section4: Security Tips 10 Section 5: Guest Lists 12 Section 6: Emergency 14 Section 7: Ending the Party 16 Section 8: Illinois State University Policies 17 Section 9: Town of Normal Policies 24 Section 10: Consequences for Organizations 31 Section 11: Check Lists 33 P a g e | 3 Section 1: Risk Management/Liability Illinois Law The State of Illinois does not have a social host liability law. However, Public Act 93-0588, House Bill 3528, signed into law on August 25, 2003, created a civil recovery law and on Jan. 1, 2004, the “Drug or Alcohol Impaired Minor Responsibility Act” became effective. The basic provisions of the law are: • Persons over 18 years of age who willfully supply alcohol beverages or illegal drugs to a person under 18 years of age and cause impairment of such person are liable for death or injuries to persons or property caused by that impairment. • Recovery may be had by persons, and their surviving spouses and next of kin, who are injured, in person or property, by the impaired person (which is similar to the Dram Shop Act) and persons under age 18 who are injured in person or property by an impairment that was caused by the unlawful consumption of alcohol beverages or illegal drugs (which is dissimilar to the Dram Shop Act). • A right of action exists in a person’s own name, jointly and severally, for damages against the person who sells, gives or delivers alcohol beverages or illegal drugs, causing or contributing to the impairment of the person under the age of 18; or willfully permits consumption of alcohol beverages or illegal drugs on non-residential premises owned or controlled by the person. • An action for damages under this new law must be brought within two years after the right of action arises or it is barred. Damages include economic damages, including, but not limited to: • the cost of treatment and rehabilitation • medical expenses • loss of economic or educational potential • loss of productivity • absenteeism • support expenses • accidents or injury and any other pecuniary loss proximately caused by the impairment • Non-economic damages, including, but not limited to: • physical and emotional pain, • suffering • physical impairment • emotional distress • mental anguish • disfigurement • loss of enjoyment • loss of companionship services • consortium and other “non-pecuniary losses proximately caused” P a g e | 4 Reasonable attorneys’ fees are recoverable, as are costs of suit, including, but not limited to, reasonable expenses for expert testimony and punitive damages. Identify appropriate liability/responsibility information Assessment of Liability 1 • What “foreseeable risks” exists at your party? Consider situations, traditions or events that are potentially dangerous. • How can you act reasonably in order to decrease the foreseeable risks? • What incidents has your apartment had in the past (recent and distant)? • How were those incidents addressed? (What procedures did you put in place or actions did you take to prevent a similar incident in the future?) • What success have you had in reducing foreseeable risk or dangerous situations? Is there a silver bullet to absolve you from liability? • No, if you have a party with alcohol • Methods to reduce liability include: o Refusing to serve individuals who are under the legal drinking age of 21 o Check I.D.’s o Monitor guest alcohol consumption o Develop a system of assisting intoxicated guests o Not collecting money at your party o Have a guest list o Event Monitors Rule of thumb: for every 10 people at your party, have at least 1 Event Monitor o Provide food and nonalcoholic drinks What does a responsible party look like? • Parties and Alcohol o A few points to keep in mind if you decide to serve alcohol: You can be held legally responsible for your underage guests’ behavior after they leave your party. You are also responsible for not serving underage students. Not carding or having a “No under-21” sign at your party does NOT absolve you of this responsibility and you could be charged by police. Collecting money at your party to help cover alcohol costs (selling cups, taking donations, selling beer, etc) is also illegal. • Before the party: o Have a guest list. Limit your party to those you know to prevent unwanted behavior and problems at your party. o Discuss ending time with roommates. Decide who will end the party. o Appoint Event Monitors. The monitor’s job is to turn away uninvited guests, help enforce house rules, talk with the police if they show up, and watch for drunk drivers. o Lock valuables away, out of sight. o Notify your neighbors before the day of the party. o Discuss what food and non-alcoholic drinks you will be serving. 1 Adapted from a training manual, The Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Programs P a g e | 5 • During the party: o Check IDs. Ensure those drinking are legal drinking age. Not carding does not release you from legal responsibilities! o Monitor your guests’ alcohol consumption. Plan how you will intervene to slow down a guest who is drinking too much. o Watch for behavioral cues. o Call 911 immediately in a case of an emergency. o Monitor noise levels, parking, trespassing, littering, public urination and other possible violations to avoid having police called. o If police arrive, make sure the monitor is the first person the officer sees. o Allow officers to do their job without interference. Follow all police instructions. • Ending the party: o Tell the monitor to stay by the door to turn away new guests. o Turn on the lights. o Change the music or turn it off. o Stop serving alcohol. Serve only soda, water or coffee. o Make sure intoxicated guests are not driving. Call a taxi, or have them sleep over. o Encourage guest to leave in small groups of 3-4. This will help prevent excessive noise. • After the party: o Make sure your yard and your neighbors’ yards are free from trash, cups, bottles, etc. o Talk with your neighbors to see if they experienced any problems from the party. If yes, discuss calmly to see how you can resolve the situation. As a party host, you are responsible for your guest’s health. • Here are signs that indicate alcohol poisoning, which, if untreated, can lead to death. o Cold, bluish, clammy skin o Unresponsive (you can’t wake them up) o Shallow and/or irregular breathing o Vomiting o “Snoring” sounds • Other danger signs: o Has mixed alcohol with medications or drugs o Collapsed after drinking o Is vomiting and choking • What to do: o Call 911 immediately o Make sure the person is on their side and not face down or on their back Authored by Michael Zajac P a g e | 6 Section 2: Community Relations Notification • Notify your neighbors at least 24 hours in advance of your function • Provide them with your phone number and encourage them to call you if they have concerns or experience any problems • Explain the security measures you have taken to keep things safe, as well as any permits from the Town of Normal that you have acquired • Let them know the start and end time of your event Communication • Communicating face-to-face will often be received the best • Allow them to ask questions Invitation • Consider inviting your neighbors to your event if appropriate Post-Event Follow-up • Clean up around your event location • Check the residential areas near your party to be sure there is no litter or damage • Ask your neighbors if they experienced any secondary consequences from your event • Ask if your neighbors have suggestions for improving your future events • Offer to pay for any damage that may have occurred to their property as a result of your event The “in-between” Relations • Get to know your neighbors – meet them and introduce yourself • Offer to assist them if they need help • Say hello when you see your neighbor • Notify you neighbor when you are gone for more than a couple days • Be cognizant of your every day noise level (music, television, and barking dog), especially early in the morning or late at night • If you have more cars than spaces, do not use the yard as extended parking • Park your car facing the direction of traffic • Park in appropriately marked spaces • Do not keep cars that do not work sitting in the driveway • Keep your property looking nice • Pick up any trash in the yard • Mow the yard on a regular basis • Keep couches or other indoor furniture indoors and off the porch • Put away the trash can within 12 hours after garbage is collected • Don’t overflow your garbage can Authored by Michael Zajac P a g e | 7 Section 3: Event Monitors What is an Event Monitor? An Event Monitor is someone designated at an event where there is alcohol present to ensure guests are behaving in a safe and acceptable manner. Additionally, the Event Monitor should be responsible for speaking with unruly party guests, neighbors, or law enforcement. An Event Monitor is to be sober and substance-free for management of the pre-event, event, and post-event activities. How should an Event Monitor be selected? Event Monitors should be individuals that attend the entire event and remain present until all guests exit the premises with a safe ride home. Event Monitors should be comfortable speaking with others and be able to make quick and educated decisions in case of an emergency situation.