Clubs and Organizations - Special Events
While student clubs and organizations host hundreds of unique events each year, the information below provides guidance for a variety of special events that are planned throughout the academic year.
Sponsoring Visiting Speakers
All speakers, regardless of honorarium, must complete a Speaker Agreement form. Please submit the Speaker Agreement form complete with a biography of the performer and an outline of the content/purpose of the speech. An Event Registration form must also be submitted whenever a speaker is invited to campus. The Center for Student Engagement can assist clubs/organizations with obtaining approval to host speakers. All requests should be submitted a minimum of four (4) weeks in advance of the event in order to secure approval.
The presence of a guest speaker on the campus of the ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ does not necessarily imply approval or endorsement by the ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ of the views expressed by the guest speaker, or by anyone else present at the event. If deemed appropriate, the ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ administration may require a statement be read at the event and/or included in all marketing materials. The statement will be provided to the student group once the Speaker Agreement has been signed by all parties.
Film Screenings
Screening R-RATED FILMS
Student clubs and organizations are not permitted to screen movies that are rated R rated due to excessive violence, nudity, drug use, etc. without an express educational purpose. If a student club or organization wishes to show an R-rated movie, the club or organization will be asked to submit written justification identifying the educational purpose (e.g., current event discussion/open forum after the showing, talk back).
Events with Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages may only be served at ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ social events at which students are present when approved by the Vice President for Student Life (or designee). Student clubs and organizations must register the function with the Clubs and Organizations Office at least four (4) weeks prior to the event to ensure the necessary time for review by the Vice President (or designee), ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ Police, and others as needed in accordance with the ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ's Alcohol Policy. Due to the increased liability in hosting events with alcohol, student clubs and organizations should carefully consider whether alcohol is necessary for the event to be successful.
In addition, the following regulations apply to ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ social events where alcohol is served:
- Persons under twenty-one (21) years of age may attend functions where alcohol is served only with the written approval of the Vice President for Student Life. The approval is based on the nature of the event and the ability of the organizing group, department or division to provide suitable and effective control. No one under the age of twenty-one will be permitted to consume alcohol at these functions.
- Non-alcoholic beverages and food items must be provided and must be as accessible as alcoholic beverages. ARAMARK must cater all events where alcohol is served on campus.
- Alcohol must be served by bartenders provided by ARAMARK. Hiring costs are the responsibility of the sponsoring club or organization, which must also provide individuals from its own membership to serve as checkers of identification and control agents to monitor behavior.
- A ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ identification card or valid driver’s license, or both, are proper identification to verify the age and ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ status of an individual. Some events may require the use of a computer-generated list to verify age or ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ status.
- The ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ’s Chief of Police will determine when ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ Police officers and/or Scranton Police Department personnel are necessary.
- Alcohol will not be served to visibly intoxicated persons.
- Advertising or promoting alcohol as a primary attraction of an event and the marketing of alcohol by beverage manufacturers or distributors or by clubs or organizations are prohibited.
Any chartered club or organization hosting an event where alcohol will be served must complete a request to serve alcohol form available from the Center for Student Engagement. This form will then be reviewed for approval by the moderator of the club or organization, the Vice President for Student Life/Dean of Students, and ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ Police Chief. Clubs and organizations must initiate the the approval process at least 4 weeks before your event to allow time for necessary signatures and approval. Any club or organization that fails to follow these guidelines and procedures may lose the privilege of conducting social events for a period of time determined by the Vice President for Student Life (or designee).