1. UPDATED BACKGROUND
For events not taking place on Clemson’s main campus, follow the guidance previously issued, which you can find here.
Clemson implemented guidance on purchasing alcohol in August 2023 that allowed us to address State requirements at that time, then later revised that guidance in March 2024. After working at length with the State Department of Revenue and State Law Enforcement Divisions, we have applied for and been granted licenses for main campus that allow us to greatly simplify how alcohol can be purchased and served across campus. The following procedures are in effect immediately and replace all previous guidance as they relate to main campus.
2. DEFINITIONS (unchanged)
Unlicensed Social Event is defined as an event in the state of S.C. where (a) Clemson is hosting, (b) beer, wine and/or liquor are served, (c) there is no charge to the attendees to be at the event or to consume alcohol, and (d) the venue does not have a permanent alcohol license. Examples are a departmental after-hours gathering, a free tailgate that provides alcohol, or a wedding reception.
Authorized Alcohol Purchaser (AAP) is defined as someone in a college or budget center authorized by the Business Officer to be approved through the Procurement and Business Services department to purchase and transport alcohol under this guidance. The Business Officer will direct those Authorized Alcohol Purchasers to the Procurement Director to confirm their understanding of the guidance and procedures outlined below.
3. SCOPE
ANY event held on main campus that involves alcohol must be coordinated in advance through our catering/food service provider, Aramark.
Not all locations on campus are licensed for alcohol and only certain facilities can serve liquor in addition to beer and wine. It is important to coordinate plans well in advance with Aramark.
If a department wishes to serve alcohol at an unlicensed location, a special exemption must be applied for here.
4. PROCEDURES
A. Events Serving Beer and Wine only on main campus within a licensed location
- Many buildings on campus are licensed to serve beer and wine (see Map for Specifics)
- Customer must put in a request with Aramark to handle such an event 14 days prior to the event taking place.
- Aramark will be able to provide up front pricing for the cost of the beer/wine as established in their catering guide.
- Aramark will also provide pricing for bartending services. All events on campus regardless of size, purpose or nature require a bartender to serve alcohol.
- Departments are responsible for following the Facility Use Policy in terms of all other requirements necessary for approval of the use of any space for your events and approval to serve alcohol.
B. Events Serving Liquor in addition to Beer and Wine on main campus
- Only the Madren Center and Memorial Stadium are licensed to be able to serve liquor on campus.
- If you would like to hold an event on campus where liquor is serviced, you must coordinate to hold such an event with either of these two locations. Any other location must be applied for as an exception thru Aramark and University leadership and will take additional time and resources. Also, please note, it is not guaranteed that an exception will be granted for requested locations.
- Customer must put in a request with Aramark to handle such an event 14 days prior to the event taking place.
- Aramark will be able to provide up front pricing for the cost of the beer/wine/liquor as established in their catering guide.
- Aramark will also provide pricing for bartending services. All events on campus regardless of size, purpose or nature require a bartender to serve alcohol.
- Departments are responsible for following the Facility Use Policy in terms of all other requirements necessary for approval of the use of any space for your events and approval to serve alcohol.
C. Events Serving Beer/Wine at an unlicensed location on main campus
- Customer must first confirm whether the location you want to host an event is already licensed. See Map showing licensed locations. You are STRONGLY encouraged to host events at locations already licensed for such an event.
- If the Customer determines that the event must take place at a location on campus that is not licensed, the department will work with Aramark to get an exception approved. The customer is responsible for following previously outlined guidance requiring AAPs to be involved and contracting with Aramark to provide services for delivering and serving alcohol and providing products “at cost.” Aramark also reserves the right to give a waiver in such events for other providers to service the event i.e. tailgates, concerts, etc…
D. Events Serving Beer/Wine and Liquor at an unlicensed location on main campus
- Customer must first confirm whether the location you want to host an event is already licensed. If it is not, then you need to apply for an exemption here.
E. Events Serving Liquor at a location licensed for beer/wine on main campus
- Customer must first confirm whether the location you want to host an event is already licensed. You are STRONGLY encouraged to host events at locations already licensed for such an event.
- If you determine you must host an event at a location on campus that already has a beer/wine license and you must serve liquor and obtain an exemption to do so, you are responsible for applying for a Special Event Permit per instructions here.
F. Exceptions to Procedures A-E noted above
- Events held at the President’s House. The President’s House is treated as a personal residence for purposes of serving alcohol. This is specific to events located inside the premises. Events located outside in the lawn area must follow the applicable procedures noted above.
- Individual suites/boxes leased by Clemson units for football season. In these instances, Clemson has contracted with Southern Way to provide catering. They will be able to provide turn-key services as it relates to alcohol. They will provide pricing for products (i.e. “at cost”) and bartending services. Bartending services is still required. Between games, Southern Way is responsible for securing any unused alcohol. At the conclusion of the season, Southern Way will be required to dispose of any unused alcohol and will charge the customer for this. Alcohol cannot be saved and used for other events.
- The club at Littlejohn will operate TBD prior to basketball.
G. Events Requiring Special Event Permits
As noted above, there are several cases where if a Customer decides to serve alcohol at locations on campus not licensed for that specific purpose (beer/wine and/or liquor), they will be responsible for obtaining a Special Event Permit. This is a complicated and involved process with the SCDOR and you must plan accordingly with applying for the permit at least a month in advance. Only a related organization to the University or unrelated not-for-profit organization can apply for the ABL Special Permit and you will need to follow that organizations rules.
