Five College Compliance and Risk Management : Guidelines for Private Faculty Parties for Students

Guidelines for Private Faculty Parties for Students

Risk Management Guidelines for Private Faculty Parties for Students

It is a long-standing and honored tradition that faculty members invite students to their homes for dinners or other events. These guidelines are not intended to discourage such events or to suggest that such events should not be held. The guidelines are intended to assist the faculty in understanding any risks associated with such events, and to give them tools to plan their event with.

All such events, if held at your home, must be voluntary, and it must be made clear that no student will be penalized in any way if s/he does not attend. On campus meetings can be mandatory.

Getting there: make sure that all students who want to attend can get there. Inform them that the college considers students using their personal vehicles are doing so for their personal pleasure and convenience, and the college insurance does not cover them for any loss or damage, nor does it cover any of their passengers. If possible, and if your school has the resources, you may arrange for students to drive a fleet vehicle to the event. Please know that all drivers must be credentialed. Some schools may have time limits or training requirements for credentialing, so start early in the semester to make sure that you have credentialed drivers willing to volunteer for this, if you plan to use college vehicles. Other alternatives: you can drive students in your own vehicle (shuttle them) to your residence.

The meal: ask your students to inform you if they have any allergies to any particular foods well in advance of the dinner. Certain allergies, such as nut and shellfish, can have life threatening consequences, so plan your menu accordingly. If you are doing “pot luck”, i.e., students are bringing dishes, ask everyone to write down the ingredients on a card so that diners can self-select if they have concerns.

Exercise care and caution if you are using any barbeque, grill, fire pit or other open flame source. Be particularly aware of tripping hazards near any open fire pit and remove or cordon off such hazards.

Alcohol service: It is recommended that no alcoholic beverages be served. MA Law strictly prohibits the service of alcohol to persons under the age of 21, with criminal consequences. If you serve alcohol, you must ensure that only students 21 and older have any. “Passing off” drinks by a student who has been legitimately served to an under-age student is, by case law, the responsibility of the host.

Pets: If you have pets, advise your students in advance of the event and understand that some may be unable to attend because of allergies or fears. If that is the case, you may wish to have the event on campus so that all students can attend.


Risk Mgmt Home Faculty/Staff Student Risk International Travel Policies & Procedures Insurance Third Party Forms	Guidelines for Private Faculty Parties for Students Risk Management Guidelines for Private Faculty Parties for Students It is a long-standing and honored tradition that faculty members invite students to their homes for dinners or other events. These guidelines are not intended to discourage such events or to suggest that such events should not be held. The guidelines are intended to assist the faculty in understanding any risks associated with such events, and to give them tools to plan their event with. All such events, if held at your home, must be voluntary, and it must be made clear that no student will be penalized in any way if s/he does not attend. On campus meetings can be mandatory. Getting there: make sure that all students who want to attend can get there. Inform them that the college considers students using their personal vehicles are doing so for their personal pleasure and convenience, and the college insurance does not cover them for any loss or damage, nor does it cover any of their passengers. If possible, and if your school has the resources, you may arrange for students to drive a fleet vehicle to the event. Please know that all drivers must be credentialed. Some schools may have time limits or training requirements for credentialing, so start early in the semester to make sure that you have credentialed drivers willing to volunteer for this, if you plan to use college vehicles. Other alternatives: you can drive students in your own vehicle (shuttle them) to your residence. The meal: ask your students to inform you if they have any allergies to any particular foods well in advance of the dinner. Certain allergies, such as nut and shellfish, can have life threatening consequences, so plan your menu accordingly. If you are doing “pot luck”, i.e., students are bringing dishes, ask everyone to write down the ingredients on a card so that diners can self-select if they have concerns. Exercise care and caution if you are using any barbeque, grill, fire pit or other open flame source. Be particularly aware of tripping hazards near any open fire pit and remove or cordon off such hazards. Alcohol service: It is recommended that no alcoholic beverages be served. MA Law strictly prohibits the service of alcohol to persons under the age of 21, with criminal consequences. If you serve alcohol, you must ensure that only students 21 and older have any. “Passing off” drinks by a student who has been legitimately served to an under-age student is, by case law, the responsibility of the host. Pets: If you have pets, advise your students in advance of the event and understand that some may be unable to attend because of allergies or fears. If that is the case, you may wish to have the event on campus so that all students can attend.