Late-night Event Policy

Stamp Advisory Board Proposed Recommendation to the Adele H. Stamp Student Union - Center for Campus Life

University of Maryland, College Park Adele H. Stamp Student – Center for Campus Life Union Late Night Socials Policy

A. Background

This document was drafted by the Adele H. Stamp Student – Center for Campus Life Union Advisory Board in response to repeated safety and security concerns at late night events. The Board is composed of undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, staff, alumni, and ex-officio Stamp administrators. The Board recognizes the importance of the social function these late night events provide for students on campus, and generated this policy in an attempt to facilitate the continuation of such events in a safer and less chaotic manner.

Any sponsoring organization holding an after-hours event determined to be a late night social in the Adele H. Stamp Student Union – Center for Campus Life shall be required to comply with the guidelines of this policy. Failure to comply with the provisions of this policy may result in sanctions for the sponsoring organization including cancellation of the event, financial repayment of damages, and/or suspended use of Stamp facilities.

This policy is in addition to, not an exemption from, the full Reservations Policy.

B. Definition and Determination of Socials

An event will be considered to be a late night social if it includes all of the following:

• A scheduled ending time of later than midnight
• Is hosted in either the Grand or Colony Ballrooms
• Amplified sound or music
• Non-seated attendees

C. Scheduling

Organizations requesting space for late night socials must finalize the space reservation, including security and ticket sales arrangements, at least ten business days prior to the event. Failure to do so will result in the cancellation of the reservation. “Finalizing” the space reservation includes full payment for the room, security arrangements, and ticket sales arrangements.

After making the reservation, and in order to finalize the event, organizations will be required to attend a comprehensive meeting to review this policy and the sponsoring organization’s responsibilities pursuant to this policy. This meeting will be convened at least monthly and chaired by the Director’s Office. The meeting will include the sponsoring organizations representatives, the organization’s advisor (or delegate), Stamp Event Manager(s), and the Department of Public Safety.

In addition to this comprehensive meeting, the sponsoring organization will be required to attend an on-site meeting with the Event Manager and the representatives of the Department of Public Safety approximately one hour prior to the event. The purpose of this meeting is to do a full safety and security walkthrough, as well as discuss the responsibilities and obligations for the duration of the party.

D. Attendance and Ticketing

All organizations sponsoring late night socials must coordinate their ticketing sales through the Hoff Theater Box Office. This is necessary to insure the safety of organization members and to secure the cash proceeds for the event.

Organizations have the right to open or restrict their events to different populations. Upon reservation, the organization must classify attendance at the event as one of the following:

1. UMCP Student Only – only current Maryland students with a valid University of Maryland, College Park ID will be allowed to buy tickets and be admitted to the event
2. Guest Permitted – anyone possessing a valid driver’s license, four or two year college ID or other form of widely accepted identification will be admitted to the event

Organizations should be aware that police/security mandates (and thus costs) will be subsequently higher for events in which the Guest Permitted may attend.

For UMCP Student Only events, event tickets must be purchased in person by a student with a valid University of Maryland, College Park ID. Each student with a valid University of Maryland, College Park ID may purchase up to two (2) tickets. Along with the event ticket, students must again present their valid University of Maryland, College Park ID at the door to be admitted to the event. For free events, students will be required to show their valid University of Maryland, College Park ID to be admitted to the event.

For Guest Permitted events, event tickets must be purchased in person by any student having a valid University of Maryland, College Park ID. Each student with a valid University of Maryland, College Park ID may purchase up to two (2) student tickets and one (1) guest ticket. Students with a valid University of Maryland, College Park ID may purchase up to one (1) additional guest ticket. This guest ticket will be a valid entry pass to the event for a student not possessing a valid University of Maryland, College Park ID. Along with the event ticket, students must again present their valid University of Maryland, College Park ID or other form of ID at the door to be admitted to the event.

Because room rates for student events are subsidized by Student Activity Fees and because late night socials add an additional operation cost to the Stamp, General Public events must be at least two-thirds (2/3) University of Maryland, College Park students in order to qualify for the discounted student room rental rate. For Guest Permitted events given the discounted student room rental rate, the Hoff Theater Box Office will issue two types of tickets – student (which shall compose 2/3 of the total tickets) and guest (which shall compose 1/3 of the total tickets). Once the guest tickets have been sold in their entirety, no more guest tickets shall be issued.

Guests shall be required to enter the event with the student who purchased their ticket, sign in prior to entering the event, and show a valid ID card. The University of Maryland, College Park students who purchase the guest ticket shall be responsible for their guest’s actions during the duration of the event.

E. Safety and Security

Note: this is an addendum to, not a replacement of the security procedures outlined in the main reservations policy.

Determination of Department of Public Safety (DPS) Officers will be made on a case-by-case basis for the event. This determination will be a combination of several factors including where the event is held, the time frame of the event, group and past event history, expected attendance, type of event, and the ticketing classification (among others). It is the responsibility of the sponsoring organization to cover the cost of the DPS officers. Until the cost of the officers has been paid the event is not a finalized reservation.

Based on the particular event, additional CSC Security may be provided by the Stamp. The provision of additional security by the Stamp for General Public is contingent on the event being at least two-thirds (2/3) University of Maryland, College Park students.

DPS officers on duty shall have the sole discretion of determining the status of security-related problems with regard to a late night social. Individuals shall be asked to leave or face arrest if trouble arises. If a more serious problem develops DPS officers shall have the authority to close down the event.

Organizations will be required to attend the safety and security meetings outlined in Section C.

F. Mediation & Sanctions

If the sponsoring organization, the facility management, DPS, or any other involved party believes a portion of this policy has not been carried out or addressed appropriately, they may request a Post-Event Meeting. The purpose of this meeting will be to resolve disputes and identify areas for future improvements. Requests for Post-Event Meetings must occur within two business days following the event.

Any organization which fails to provide adequate staffing, comply with any tenet of this policy, seeks to subvert any part of this policy, or fails to pay for expenses incurred shall face potential sanctions, handed down by the Director’s Office. Potential sanctions may include cancellation of future events, financial repayment of damages, referral to the University Judicial Programs Office, and/or suspended use of Stamp facilities. Any sanctions must be issued in writing no more than ten business days after the event occurs.

Any group receiving such a sanction may appeal to the Union Advisory Board within five (5) business days of receiving the sanction. The Union Advisory Board’s decision on the appeal is final.