UIT Policy – Utrecht Orientation Period (UIT)

During the UIT, we enforce specific policies regarding alcohol and drug use, comply with privacy laws, and enforce a code of conduct for all attendees at the UIT 2027.

Alcohol & drugs policy 2026 English

Introduction

The UIT team, consisting of five students, organizes the Utrecht Introduction Week (UIT) on behalf of the Boards of Governors of Utrecht University and Utrecht University of Applied Sciences. New first-year students are offered a varied program designed to help them 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, an alcohol and drug policy has been established.

During the selection and training of all UIT staff and volunteers, the alcohol and drug policy is emphasized. Student organizations and other stakeholders are also explicitly asked to commit to the policy. Each year, the policy is critically reviewed to determine whether it meets the requirements or needs to be amended. The basis for this alcohol and drug policy is the relevant legislation regarding alcohol and drugs. In addition, the UIT team has established a few rules of its own. The UIT 2026 alcohol and drug policy is set forth below.

This policy applies to all UIT committee members as listed in this document.
This policy was developed at the request of Utrecht University and Utrecht University of Applied Sciences. Advice from Jellinek and Trimbos was taken into account in the development of this alcohol and drug policy.

Alcohol and Drug Policy

Terms

UIT: Utrecht Introduction Week. A four-day student event aimed at introducing new students to their fellow students, the relevant facilities in the city, educational institutions, and the city itself. UIT 2026 will take place from August 10 through 13, 2026.
UIT Team: The Utrecht Introduction Week team, which, on behalf of Utrecht University and Utrecht University of Applied Sciences, is responsible for organizing the UIT. The UIT team is part of the Student, Education & Research (SO&O) Directorate at Utrecht University
UU: Utrecht University
HU: Utrecht University of Applied Sciences
Participant: Prospective student participating in the UIT program
Mentor: Leader of a group of participants during the UIT
Crew (supercrew): Acts as a supervisor for the mentors, is responsible for logistics before and during the UIT, and provides support for the UIT-
Hospitality Managers: They play a coordinating role at all bar areas during the official program of the UIT and maintain contact with the beverage suppliers on site.
Event Manager: Crew supervisor before/during the
Employees: UIT staff members, anyone wearing a UIT wristband other than the one shown below. This also includes staff members of participating student organizations.
Student organizations: All student organizations based in
Restaurants and bars: Restaurants and bars participating in a program component of the
Main Post Office: The Central Help Desk is located at a central location to be determined. Participants, mentors, and anyone else interested can contact the Help Desk with their questions, problems, and/or complaints.

General

Throughout the entire duration of the UIT (Monday, August 10, through Thursday, August 13), the UIT’s alcohol and drug policy will be enforced. Alcohol will be served starting at 2:00 p.m. throughout the entire UIT.

All volunteers at UIT are subject to the Liquor and Catering Act, the Alcohol Act, and the Opium Act.

Alcohol

Serving Alcohol and Passing It Along

Participants, staff, and visitors to the UIT who are minors are prohibited from consuming alcohol. This also applies to participants, staff, and visitors to the UIT who are under 25 years of age and do not have valid identification. It is strictly prohibited to serve, provide, and/or pass on alcohol to participants, staff, and visitors of the UIT who are under the legal drinking age. This also applies to participants, staff, and visitors of the UIT under the age of 25 who do not have valid identification. We adhere to general alcohol laws in this regard.

Personal alcoholic beverages

You are not permitted to consume your own alcoholic beverages during UIT program events. During UIT program events, you may only consume alcoholic beverages purchased at bars operated by UIT.

Non-alcoholic beverage

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

Beverage Selection

The UIT team ensures that, during all official UIT program events, a sufficiently varied selection of non-alcoholic beverages is always available alongside alcoholic beverages. Both during the UIT program events and at student organizations affiliated with the UIT, there will be, throughout the UIT none Spirits, premixes, or other low-alcohol beverages—except for regular beer, cider, hard seltzer, non-alcoholic beer, wine, Radler 2.0%, and Radler 0.0%—are served. A maximum of two varieties of cider and Hard Seltzer may be served.

Approved student organizations may submit a request to deviate from the alcohol policy by serving one additional alcoholic beverage during the UIT 2026. The current alcohol policy remains in effect, and this option is only available as a supplement to the current alcohol policy.

The UIT team will announce when applications for this additional option will be accepted.

Standard Quantities

Alcohol is served in standard portions during the UIT.

Beer, Cider, Hard Seltzer: up to 25 cl per serving
Radler 0%: up to 33 cl per serving
Wine: up to 10 cl per serving

Drugs

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

Drug Enforcement and Penalties

Drug enforcement is carried out in the same way as alcohol enforcement. Consequently, the same penalty automatically applies to violations of drug policy as well.

Committee Members

The members of the UIT committee are:

UIT Team
Event Managers
Crew (supercrew)
Mentors
Participants
Visitors
Student Organizations
Participating restaurants and bars

UIT Team

The organizers of the UIT program, together with the project leaders from Utrecht University and Utrecht University of Applied Sciences, bear ultimate responsibility. On behalf of the clients, the UIT team is responsible for communicating and enforcing the alcohol and drug policy within the UIT program. Responsibility for enforcement at external partners, such as hospitality establishments and student organizations, lies with the external partner. The UIT team will ensure that staff at the bar areas on the UIT grounds are familiar with the rules regarding the serving of alcohol during the UIT and will ensure that these rules are followed. On behalf of the UIT team, UIT staff will ensure that alcoholic beverages are served responsibly during opening hours. Under no circumstances will the consumption of alcohol be encouraged during the UIT or during staff training sessions prior to the UIT. During the UIT, the UIT team has the right to refuse entry to individuals who have visibly consumed too much alcohol or are under the influence of other intoxicating substances. The UIT team will also bring this to the attention of external bartenders.

Event Managers

Event managers, together with the UIT team, are responsible for organizing the UIT. In the event of a violation of the alcohol and drug policy or irresponsible alcohol consumption, the event managers are obligated to call participants and other visitors to the UIT to account for their behavior.

In preparation for the UIT, the event managers and the UIT team will receive training from Jellinek to help them better handle incidents, and they will be provided with the necessary tips and guidance on how to limit alcohol consumption within a group.

Crew

Crew members are not permitted to consume alcoholic beverages 8 hours before and during their shift. Crew members who are working a shift can be identified by their lanyards. In the event of a violation of the alcohol and drug policy or irresponsible alcohol consumption, the crew is obligated to call out participants and other visitors to the UIT on their behavior.

Hospitality Managers

The hospitality managers and bar staff have been informed by the UIT team, both verbally and in writing, about the alcohol and drug policy. In the event of a violation of the policy or irresponsible alcohol consumption, hospitality managers and bar staff are obligated to call participants and other visitors to the UIT event to account for their behavior. Furthermore, under no circumstances may they encourage the consumption of alcohol. It is also strictly prohibited for them to pass on or sell alcohol or 0.0% beverages to minors under the age of 18 or to individuals under the age of 25 who cannot present valid identification. Catering managers during the UIT are familiar with the alcohol and drug policies and have completed at least the Responsible Alcohol Use Training (IVA). There is always a person present who holds a certificate in Social Hygiene. Hospitality managers and bar staff do not consume alcoholic beverages during their shifts.

In preparation for the UIT, hospitality managers will be trained by Jellinek to better handle incidents, and they will be provided with the necessary tips and guidance to limit alcohol consumption within a group. The hospitality crew will pass on the knowledge they have gained to mentors.

Mentors

They are responsible for their small group. They ensure that participants follow the rules. Mentors can be recognized by their red mentor shirts. Mentors serve as role models regarding alcohol consumption among the participants in their small group. In the event of a violation of the alcohol and drug policy or irresponsible alcohol consumption, mentors are obligated to call out participants and other visitors to the UIT on their behavior. Mentors are responsible for their small group during the UIT program activities. This means they may also be held accountable for the behavior of the participants in their small group.

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

Participants

Participants must comply with the alcohol and drug policy at all times, are personally responsible for adhering to it, and are aware of the penalties for noncompliance. Furthermore, it is strictly prohibited for them to pass on alcohol or 0.0% beverages to minors 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 reminded of the policy by their mentors and other staff members.

Visitors

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

Student Organizations

Student organizations supplement part of the UIT program. For this reason, special attention has been given to the student organizations’ programs related to alcohol and drugs. These programs are developed in consultation with the UIT team.

Participating restaurants and bars

Food and beverage establishments complement part of the UIT program. For this reason, special attention has been given to the programs these establishments have in place regarding alcohol and drugs. These programs are established in consultation with the UIT team.

When a restaurant or bar participates in an official program component of UIT, it signs a contract. Among other things, this contract stipulates that the establishment must comply with the alcohol and drug policy, including the serving hours and beverage offerings specified in this document.

Enforcement

UIT Team

On behalf of the clients, the UIT team bears ultimate responsibility for communicating and enforcing the alcohol and drug policy within the UIT program. The UIT team will ensure that staff at the beverage service stations on the UIT grounds are familiar with the rules regarding the serving of alcohol during the UIT and will ensure that these rules are followed.

During the UIT event, the UIT team reserves the right to refuse entry to individuals who have visibly consumed too much alcohol or are visibly under the influence of other intoxicating substances. The UIT team will also bring this to the attention of any external bar staff.

On Monday, August 10, 2026, each participant will receive a wristband that grants access to the UIT program (both at the student organizations and at the venues organized by the UIT team). The wristbands for young people under 18 years of age are a different color than those for participants 18 years of age and older. This makes it easy to quickly determine whether a participant is permitted to drink alcohol. During UIT, security will actively monitor compliance with the alcohol and drug policy. In the event of a violation, security and the UIT team will consult with each other.

External Enforcement

The UIT team has informed all participating parties (hospitality establishments, student organizations, and other partners) about the alcohol and drug policy via a letter and/or through consultations. By participating in the UIT program, these parties commit to this policy. However, the responsibility for and enforcement of compliance with this policy lies with the license holder.

During the UIT event, municipal enforcement officers will conduct random checks to ensure compliance with the Alcohol and Hospitality Act and may issue fines for violations.

Student Organizations

Despite the consultations regarding their program during the UIT, the student organizations remain the license holders for their events and are therefore responsible for enforcing the Alcohol and Catering Act and this alcohol and drug policy. During the UIT, the UIT team and event managers visit the student organizations to conduct random checks to ensure compliance with the alcohol and drug policy.

Hospitality Industry and Other Partners

During the UIT, hospitality establishments have the right to refuse entry to participants who have visibly had too much to drink or are under the influence of other intoxicating substances. During the UIT, hospitality establishments will not serve alcohol to participants who are intoxicated or who appear to pose a threat to public order, safety, or decency. As always, they must comply with the Alcohol and Hospitality Act.

Under no circumstances may external organizations cut off participants' wristbands if they violate the alcohol and drug policy.

Enforcement

Penalties Imposed by the UIT Team

If a volunteer fails to comply with the alcohol and drug policy, the UIT team may impose a sanction. For a staff member or participant, the admission pass (wristband) may be cut off. This immediately denies access to UIT. Neither student organizations, hospitality venues, nor other partners are authorized to do this. They are responsible for enforcing and complying with the policy themselves. The participant or staff member whose wristband has been cut off may meet with the project leaders the following day. If there are extenuating circumstances, the participant or staff member may have their admission pass (wristband) returned. The name of this participant or staff member will be recorded. If the participant or staff member violates the alcohol and drug policy again, their admission pass (wristband) will be cut off, and they will no longer be permitted to participate in UIT. In the case of an affiliated student organization or hospitality venue, a meeting will be scheduled to discuss the violation together.

Giving or passing on alcohol

If an employee or mentor provides alcohol to minors under the age of 18, the UIT team may impose the aforementioned sanctions. In the event of a violation, mentors will be replaced by reserve mentors who have also completed the mentor training.

Employees will be replaced by existing employees who will take over the remaining shifts.

Security-Related Penalties

If, upon entering the event, it is determined on the spot that a participant is intoxicated and/or is not complying with the alcohol and drug policy, security may remove that participant from the event in question. In that case, the aforementioned sanction will take effect.

The penalties listed above are those under the UIT. Of course, other penalties under the Alcohol Act also apply.

Code of conduct UIT 2026 English

1 – BOX

The UIT team—comprising at least five students and two project leaders—organizes the Utrecht Introduction Time (UIT) on behalf of the Executive Boards of Utrecht University and Utrecht University of Applied Sciences. New first-year students are offered a varied program designed to help them get to know each other, the educational institutions, student life, and the city in all its facets.

Due to a changing society characterized by increasing openness and opportunities to share information, it is more important than ever that the culture within the UIT aligns with society’s prevailing norms and values. The UIT, as a whole, ensures that all UIT participants[1] feel at home with them and know that their safety is assured.

[1] The UIT committee members include the UIT team, event managers, catering managers, crew, mentors, participants, and visitors.

2 – SCOPE

The organizers of UIT, together with the project leaders, bear ultimate responsibility. On behalf of the clients, the UIT team bears ultimate responsibility for communication and enforcement of the code of conduct within the UIT program. Responsibility for enforcing the code among external partners, such as restaurants and bars and student organizations, lies with the external partner.

This code of conduct describes the principles of UIT members and lists a

a number of guiding principles for compliance. In addition, Chapter 1 is, of course, included, with

In particular, Article 1 of the Constitution applies.[2] Describing these principles raises awareness and encourages compliance. Parties may hold each other accountable for conduct that does not comply with the provisions of this code of conduct.

This code of conduct applies to all program activities organized by the UIT team.

[2] Article 1 of the Constitution: All persons in the Netherlands shall be treated equally in similar circumstances. Discrimination on the basis of religion, belief, political opinion, race, sex, or any other ground whatsoever is prohibited.

3 – UIT Starting Points

The guiding principles of this code of conduct are:

As a UIT member, you show respect for other UIT members and everyone else involved with UIT in any way;
As a UIT committee member, you will treat each other’s property and that of UIT with respect;
As a UIT committee member, you ensure that your behavior contributes to a safe atmosphere within UIT; part of this involves respecting each other’s boundaries;
As a member of the UIT committee, you must not engage in verbal or physical violence, which includes, among other things, (cyber)bullying and harassment;
As a member of UIT, you do not engage in sexually transgressive behavior;
As a UIT committee member, you encourage and motivate other committee members to respect one another and take action when this does not happen;
As a UIT committee member, you must comply with the UIT’s alcohol and drug policy;
As a member of the UIT committee, you are responsible for your own actions.

4 – ENFORCEMENT

The Code of Conduct applies to all forms of contact or communication, including contact via email or posts on social media. We encourage committee members to report any behavior that violates this Code of Conduct. Such reports can be made (confidentially) to the UIT team or the UIT confidential advisor.

At the start of UIT, each registered participant receives a wristband that grants access to the UIT program (both at the student organizations and at the venues organized by the UIT team). The wristbands for young people under 18 are a different color than those for participants 18 and older. This makes it easy to quickly determine whether a participant is permitted to drink alcohol. During UIT, security will actively monitor compliance with the alcohol and drug policy and the code of conduct. In the event of a violation, security and the UIT team will consult and determine whether a penalty should be imposed.

5 – SANCTIONS

Penalties Imposed by the UIT Team: If a participant fails to comply with the code of conduct, the UIT team may impose a penalty. If a participant is caught in the act by the UIT organizers, their admission pass (wristband) will be cut off. This immediately denies them access to the UIT. The participant may meet with the project leaders the following day. If there are extenuating circumstances, the participant may have his or her admission pass (wristband) returned. This participant will be placed on a list. If the participant violates the code of conduct again, the admission pass (wristband) will be cut off, and the participant will no longer be allowed to participate in UIT.

As soon as the UIT team receives a report from one committed member regarding another committed member, the UIT team will also speak with the accused. An official warning may be issued at that time. If another report is received regarding the same committee member, their admission pass (wristband) will be immediately cut off.

Appendix 1 – CONTACT INFORMATION IN THE EVENT OF AN INCIDENT

Main Office: 06-81183553

UIT Team (Chair): 06-28801264 / [email protected]

Confidential Advisor: See the website or app for contact information

Privacy Statement 2026 English

Privacy Statement

In this privacy statement, we explain what personal data we process and for what purposes, how you can exercise your privacy rights, and other information that may be relevant to you as a student or volunteer participating in the Utrecht Introduction Period (UIT).

Who is responsible for processing my personal data?

Utrecht University (UU) is the data controller within the meaning of the GDPR. UU considers it essential that the personal data of its students, researchers, staff, and visitors be handled and protected with the utmost care. We also want to be transparent about how we process your data. That is why we explain this below. Above all, we always comply with the requirements set forth in the GDPR.

For what purposes is my personal data processed?

The personal data collected from you is used by the UU, among other things, to enable your participation in the UIT 2026. To participate in the UIT 2026—whether as a volunteer or a (prospective) student—you must first register. We will then create an account for you, allowing you to log in using that username and a password of your choice.

While filling out the registration form, you can also indicate certain preferences. These preferences are used to ensure the best possible grouping of students—with a focus on fun and camaraderie—and to accommodate specific dietary needs. Specifically for volunteers, we process personal data to provide the appropriate clothing and to schedule the volunteer roster.

Your personal information may also be used to send you messages before and during UIT 2026, for example, if there are changes to the program due to unforeseen circumstances. We would also like to know who we can contact in the event of an emergency.

Finally, your personal data may be processed when our staff take photos and record videos during the UIT days. This visual material is used exclusively for promotional purposes. Examples include a promotional video for future UIT events or content for our social media channels. Would you like to have a photo or video in which you are clearly visible removed? Please send an email to [email protected].

What personal data is processed?

The personal data we process about you depends on whether you are participating in UIT as a student or as a volunteer.

When you participate in the UIT Days, the following personal data about you will be processed:

First and last name;
Date of birth;
Gender;
Email address;
Phone number;
Address;
Allergies or dietary restrictions;
Preferred mentor group;
Interests;
Bank account number;
Emergency contact;
Language preference;
Educational institution;
Study;
Optional: image.

When you volunteer for UIT, the following personal data about you will be processed:

First and last name;
Date of birth;
Gender;
Email address;
Phone number;
Emergency contact;
Allergies or dietary restrictions;
Driver's license: yes/no;
Clothing size;
Preferred mentor group;
Interests;
The volunteer's availability;
Optional: student organization.

We collect this personal data based on the information you provided during the registration process. In addition, we receive your personal data from third parties we have engaged to facilitate participation in UIT for students and volunteers (see the section titled ‘Is my data shared with third parties?’).

What is the legal basis?

We process your personal data for registration purposes based on the consent you provided during registration. If you do not fill out the required fields on the registration form on the UIT website, you will unfortunately not be able to participate in the UIT. It is in the interest of both UIT and the participant that this information is recorded accurately.

We process the preferences and interests you provide during registration based on your consent. You can withdraw your consent at any time by emailing [email protected]or[email protected].

Finally, it is also possible that the UU has a legal obligation to process your personal data, for example, if an incident occurs during the UIT days that involves the police. It is also possible that the UU processes your data to protect your vital interests, for example, in the event of a medical emergency.

How is my personal information protected?

The UU implements technical and organizational measures to protect your personal data. Examples of measures taken—such as those designed to prevent unauthorized access to or use of personal data and the equipment used for processing—include:

Access to your personal data is granted on a need-to-know basis;
The personal data sent to third parties is encrypted;
The individuals who have access to your personal data are bound by strict professional confidentiality;

Will my information be shared with third parties?

Your personal data will be shared with third parties to enable your participation in UIT 2026 and its various activities. Examples include the provider of the online registration form or the payment processor that enables you to make purchases during UIT. The UU enters into agreements with these processors to ensure that personal data is handled confidentially and with due care. These agreements are set forth in so-called ‘data processing agreements.’.

The UU provides personal data to law enforcement agencies or anti-fraud organizations when necessary to comply with a legal obligation, such as that imposed by the Tax Authority.

Will my personal data be shared with parties outside the EEA?

As a general rule, your personal data will not be transferred to recipients in countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA). If it is transferred, we will take appropriate measures, such as contractual arrangements, to ensure that your data is adequately protected.

What rights do I have under the GDPR, and how do I exercise them?

You may submit a request for access or correction to the UU. Please clearly indicate that this is a request for access or correction under the GDPR. You may also request that your data be deleted; however, this is only possible to the extent that the UU can still comply with its legal obligations, such as statutory retention periods. Please note that you may be required to provide a copy of a valid ID to verify your identity.

If you wish to exercise any of the above rights, please contact [email protected]or [email protected].

How long will my personal data be retained?

The UU does not retain personal data for longer than is necessary to achieve the purpose of the processing or to comply with a legal obligation. The personal data we collect in connection with the UIT will be deleted no later than October 1, 2026. Exceptions to this are certain payment details and the visual material created during the UIT Days. The payment data required to comply with tax retention obligations will be retained for 7 years. The visual material (including both photos and videos) will be deleted from our systems 5 years after the last UIT Day of 2026. Visual material posted on online platforms will remain online for promotional purposes. If a person is visible in the visual material, they may request that these images be removed at any time.

Questions

If you have any questions about how your personal data is processed, you can ask them via [email protected]or [email protected]. This privacy statement also applies to the UIT app.

Introduction

In principle, if you have purchased a ticket and payment has been completed, you cannot get your registration fee back. We make exceptions for the following situations:

You are not admitted to your studies.
There are serious personal circumstances that prevent you from participating.

In these cases, you can cancel your registration at: [email protected]. In these specific cases, you will receive a full refund of your registration fee if you submit your cancellation via this email address before July 31. After July 31, we will no longer issue refunds for registration fees.

When will the amount be refunded?

The refund will be processed by UU in September at the latest. If you have any questions about the refund, please contact [email protected].

Personalized ticket

The ticket you purchased is non-transferable, which means you cannot resell it to someone else. We will check your ID at the entrance. Therefore, if you are unexpectedly unable to attend, you must follow the return policy outlined above.

Cancellation by the organization

It is possible that our organization may decide to cancel the UIT due to certain measures or circumstances. If this happens, you will receive a full refund of your registration fee. We will, of course, provide you with detailed information about this.