ALCOHOL- AND DRUGS POLICY

Introduction

The UIT board, a board consisting of six students, organizes the Utrecht Introduction Time (UIT) at the behest of the Colleges of Utrecht University and Utrecht University of Applied Sciences. The new first-year students are offered a varied program to get to know each other, the educational institutions, student life and the city in all its facets. To create a safe and pleasant atmosphere for everyone, the alcohol and drug policy has been established.

During the selection and training of all UIT staff and volunteers, the alcohol and drugs policy is prominently highlighted.

Student organizations and other interested parties are also explicitly asked to commit to the policy. Each year the policy is critically examined, checking whether it meets the requirements or is in need of change. The starting point for this alcohol and drugs policy is the liquor and hospitality law. In addition, the UIT board has established some of its own rules. The following is the UIT 2023’s alcohol and drugs policy.

This policy applies to all committeemen at the UIT as listed in this document.

This policy was commissioned by the clients Utrecht University and Utrecht University of Applied Sciences. Advice from Jellinek and Trimbos was taken into account for this alcohol and drugs policy.

Alcohol- en drugsbeleid

Terms

UIT:                         Utrecht Introduction Time. Five-day student event that aims to: acquaint new students with fellow students, the relevant facilities available in the city, educational institutions and the city of Utrecht (for more information: see starting framework Utrecht Introduction Time 2023). The UIT 2023 will take place from August 14 to 17, 2023

UIT board:        Utrecht Introduction Time board that, on behalf of Utrecht University and Utrecht University of Applied Sciences, deals with the organization of UIT. The UIT Board is part of the Directorate of Students, Education & Research (SO&O) of Utrecht University

UU:                              Utrecht University

HU:                             Hogeschool Utrecht

Participant:              Prospective student participating in the UIT

Mentor:                     Supervisor of a group of participants during the UIT

Crew (supercrew):Function as supervisor of the mentors, responsible for logistics before/during the UIT, and are in support of the UIT board 

Catering Managers: They have a coordinating role at all tapping points during the UIT’s official program and maintain with on-site beverage suppliers 

Eventmanager:      Supervisor of the crew before/during the UIT

Staff:              UIT staff, including the board, event managers, crew, hospitality managers, etc.

Student organisations: All student organizations based in Utrecht.

Catering venues Catering establishments participating in a program component of the UIT.

Central Post:         The Central Post is located at a central location to be determined. Participants, mentors and all other interested parties can come here with their questions, problems and/or complaints.

In general

During the entire duration of the UIT (Monday, August 14 through Thursday, August 17), the UIT’s alcohol and drugs policy will be enforced. Alcohol will be served from 2 p.m. throughout the UIT.

The Liquor and Catering Act and the Opium Act apply to all committeemen at the UIT.

Alcohol

Alcohol serving and passing it on 

It is forbidden for participants, staff and visitors of the UIT who are underaged to consume alcohol. This also applies to UIT participants, employees and visitors under 25 years old without valid identification. It is strictly prohibited to serve, provide and/or pass alcohol to participants, employees and visitors of the UIT who are underaged. This also applies to UIT participants, staff and visitors under 25 years old without valid identification. We apply the general alcohol law.

Own alcoholic beverages

It is not permitted to consume your own beverages at program sections of the UIT. At program sections of the UIT, it is only permitted to consume alcoholic beverages purchased from bars facilitated by the UIT.

Non-alcoholic beverages

The serving of 0.0% beverages specified in this document is permitted during the official program elements of the UIT. The same rules apply to the offering of 0.0% beer and Radler as for alcoholic beverages.

Beverage offer

The UIT board shall ensure that a sufficient variety of non-alcoholic beverages is always available during all official UIT program events in addition to alcoholic beverages. Both during the program elements of the UIT, and at UIT affiliated student organizations, no spirits, premix or other strong alcoholic beverages – except regular beer, non-alcoholic beer, wine, Radler 2.0% and Radler 0.0% – will be served during the UIT. Committed
student organizations may apply to deviate from the
alcohol policy with one additional alcoholic beverage during UIT 2023. The current alcohol policy remains the guiding principle and this option is only possible as an addition
possible to the current alcohol policy. Opportunity to apply for this
additional option will be communicated by the UIT board in due course.

Standard quantities 

Alcohol will be served in standard quantities during the UIT.

–       Beer: a maximum of 25 cl per consumption

–       Radler 2.0%: a maximum 33 cl per consumption

–       Wine: a maximum of 10 cl per consumption

Drugs

During the UIT, possession, use, and/or being under the influence of drugs will not be tolerated. This applies to both soft and hard drugs and nitrous oxide.

Enforcement and sanctions drugs

Drug enforcement is done in the same manner as alcohol enforcement. The same sanction automatically applies to violation of the drug policy.

Committeemen

The committeemen to the UIT are:

–        UIT board

–        Eventmanagers

–        Crew (supercrew)

–        Mentors

–        Participants

–        Visitors

–        Student Organizations

–        Participating catering venues

UIT board

The UIT organizers are ultimately responsible together with the project leaders from Utrecht University and Utrecht University of Applied Sciences. On behalf of the principals, the UIT Board bears ultimate responsibility for communication and enforcement of alcohol and drug policies within the UIT program. The responsibility for enforcement with external partners, such as catering establishments and student organizations, lies with the external partner. The UIT board will ensure that the personnel behind the tapping points on the UIT premises are familiar with and ensure compliance with the rules regarding alcohol dispensing during the UIT. The UIT staff, on behalf of the UIT board, shall ensure that the dispensing of alcoholic beverages during opening hours is conducted responsibly. During the UIT and staff training before the UIT, the use of alcohol will not be urged under any circumstances. During the UIT, the UIT board has the right to exclude persons who have visibly had too much to drink or are under the influence of other narcotics. The UIT board will also make external tappers aware of this.

In preparation for the UIT, the board will be trained by Jellinek to better handle incidents involving alcohol and/or drugs and will be provided with the necessary tips and explanations to limit alcohol use within a group.

Eventmanagers

Eventmanagers, together with the UIT board, are responsible for organizing the UIT. In case of violation of the alcohol and drug policy or irresponsible consumption of alcohol, eventmanagers have a duty to remind participants and other visitors to the UIT of their behavior.

In preparation for the UIT, eventmanagers will be trained by Jellinek to better deal with incidents and will be provided with the necessary tips and explanations to limit alcohol consumption within a group.

Crew

For Crew, no alcoholic beverages will be consumed before and during their shift. Crew members working a shift can be identified by the keycords. In case of violation of the alcohol and drug policy or irresponsible consumption of alcohol, the crew has the duty to hold participants and other visitors to the UIT accountable for their behavior.

Catering managers

The Catering managers and bar staff have been informed of the alcohol and drug policy by the UIT board in both oral and written ways. If the policy is violated or alcohol consumption is irresponsible, the Catering Managers and bar staff have a duty to remind participants and other visitors to the UIT of their behavior. Moreover, they should under no circumstances insist on consuming alcohol. It is also strictly forbidden for them to pass on and sell alcohol/0.0% drinks to young people under 18 years old or to young people under 25 years old who cannot show valid identification. Catering managers during the UIT are aware of the alcohol and drug policy and hold at least the Instruction on Responsible Alcohol Use (IVA). There is always a person present with a diploma in Social Hygiene. Catering managers and bar staff do not drink alcoholic beverages during their shift.

In preparation for the UIT, the Catering crew will be trained by Jellinek to better deal with incidents and will be provided with the necessary tips and explanations to limit alcohol consumption within a group. The Catering Crew transfers knowledge gained to mentors.

Mentors

Mentors are responsible for their group. They see to it that participants follow the rules. Mentors can be identified by the red mentor shirt. Mentors have an exemplary role regarding the alcohol consumption of the participants in their group. If the alcohol and drug policy is violated or if alcohol is used irresponsibly, mentors have a duty to hold participants and other visitors to the UIT accountable for their behavior. The mentors are responsible for their group during the program components of the UIT. This means that they can also be held accountable for the behavior of the participants in their group.

Mentors can find a summary of the alcohol and drug policy in the app. In preparation for UIT, mentors will be trained by Trimbos and Jellinek to better deal with incidents and will be provided with the necessary tips and explanations to limit alcohol use within a group. Mentors are responsible for conveying the rules in the alcohol and drug policy to participants.

Participants

The participant must adhere to the alcohol and drug policy at all times, bears responsibility for its implementation and is aware of the penalties for failure to comply with the policy. They are also strictly prohibited from passing on alcohol/0.0% beverages to young people under the age of 18. Participants can find a summary of the alcohol and drug policy in the app and on the UIT website. In addition, during the UIT, participants will be made aware of the policy by their mentors, and other staff.

Visitors

Some program sections are also open for outside visitors. When purchasing the admission ticket, visitors must agree to the alcohol and drug policy.

Student organisations

The student organizations supplement part of UIT’s program. Therefore, explicit attention has been paid to the programs of the student organizations on alcohol and drugs. Programs are determined in consultation with the UIT board.

Participating catering venues

Catering venues supplement part of the UIT’s program. That is why explicit attention has been paid to the programs of the catering venues regarding alcohol and drugs. The programs are determined in consultation with the UIT board.

When a catering establishment participates in an official program component of the UIT, they sign a contract. Among other things, this states that the catering establishment must adhere to the alcohol and drug policy, such as the pouring times and drink offerings mentioned in this document.

Enforcement

UIT board

On behalf of the principals, the UIT Board bears ultimate responsibility for communication and enforcement of the alcohol and drug policy within the UIT program. The UIT board will ensure that the staff behind the tapping points on the UIT premises are familiar with the rules regarding alcohol dispensing during the UIT and ensure that they are followed. During the UIT, the UIT board has the right to exclude persons who have visibly had too much to drink or are visibly under the influence of other narcotics. The UIT board will also make any outside bartenders aware of this.

On Monday, August 14, 2023, each participant will receive a wristband that gives access to the UIT program (both at the student organizations and at the venues organized by the UIT administration). The bands for under-18s have a different color than the bands for participants 18 and older. This way, it can be quickly seen whether or not the participant is allowed to drink alcohol. During the UIT, security will actively monitor compliance with the alcohol and drug policy. In case of violation, security and UIT board will consult.

External enforcement

The UIT Board informed all participating parties (catering venues, student organizations and other partners) about the alcohol and drug policy through a letter and/or through consultation. By participating in the UIT, these parties commit themselves to this policy. However, responsibility and enforcement for compliance lies with the licensee itself.

Enforcement officers from the municipality will randomly check for enforcement of the liquor and hospitality law during the UIT and may issue fines if violated.

Student organisations

The student organizations, despite the consultations regarding their program during the UIT, remain themselves permit holders for their event and therefore also responsible for the enforcement of the liquor and hospitality law and this alcohol and drug policy. During UIT, UIT board and event managers visit student organizations to randomly verify compliance with alcohol and drug policies.

Catering and other partners

During the UIT, catering venues have the right to exclude participants who have visibly drunk too much or are under the influence of other narcotics. The catering establishments will not serve alcohol during the UIT to intoxicated participants and participants who appear to be a danger to public order, safety or morality. They have, as always, to comply with the liquor and hospitality law.

Sanctions

Sanction by the UIT board

If a committeeman fails to comply with the alcohol and drug policy, they may be subject to sanction by the UIT board. In the case of an employee or participant, the admission ticket (wristband) may be cut off in the process. This will immediately deny access to the UIT. The participant or staff member may meet with the project leaders the next day to discuss. If there are extenuating circumstances, the participant or employee may have his or her entrance ticket (wristband) returned. The name of this participant or staff member will be noted. If the participant or employee again violates the alcohol and drug policy, the entry ticket (wristband) will be cut off and he or she will no longer be allowed to participate in the UIT. At a committed student organization or catering venue, a meeting will be scheduled to jointly discuss the violation.

Serving or passing on alcohol

If a staff member or mentor passes alcohol to youth under the age of 18, they may be subject to the aforementioned sanctions by the UIT board. Mentors will be replaced by reserve mentors who have also taken the mentor training in the event of a violation. Employees will be replaced by existing employees who will take over the remaining shifts.

Sanctions by security

If upon entering the activity on site, it is judged that a participant is in an inebriated state and/or is not adhering to the alcohol and drug policy, they may be turned away from the activity in question by security. Subsequently, the above sanction will take effect.

The above sanctions are from the UIT. Other sanctions from the alcohol law also apply, of course.