Event Planning & Registration

1. Determine the date, time and location of your event. You may want to download the “Choosing a Venue” chart to assist you in finding the appropriate place to have your event. This chart outlines the many venues available to students at Carleton, along with additional information such as venue capacities and selecting the appropriate venue if your event will have alcohol.
2. Make a reservation for your event. Due to space limitations, it is advisable to reserve your location as early as possible. Contact Campus Services by calling x4443 or emailing scheduling@carleton.edu. 
3. If you anticipate having 25 or more guests at your event and/or alcohol present, one of the students hosting the event must complete a Large Event Registration Form (see below) in addition to making a reservation with Campus Services. At least two hosts (Carleton students) from the hosting student organization are required. Please note: Friends of the hosts cannot submit the form on their behalf.
4. If you plan to allow alcohol at your event, please read the section below entitled “Regulations For Events Where Alcohol Is Present”.
5. After completing the Large Event Registration Form (if applicable), the Student Activities Office (or Area Director for residential space), will contact you to arrange a time to discuss your event. This meeting must take place at least 48 hours prior to your event. Please note: Some large events may have additional notification requirements and procedures, including large outdoor events. Please contact the Student Activities Office for more information.
6. In preparation for your meeting, please be ready to discuss the following situations which could arise at your event:
   • How will you handle uninvited guests?
   • Do you know how to contact Security Services if you need help?
   • How do you respond to inappropriate behavior (vandalism, streaking, fighting, etc.)?
   • How do you respond to violations of College policies, Federal, and/or State laws?
   • How do you handle underage or intoxicated guests wanting to be served (if alcohol is present)?
   • How will you handle guests arriving with unwanted alcohol?
   • How will you handle overcrowding at your event?
   • How will you clean-up after the event? Do you need help?
   • How will you handle a noise complaint from residents or guests?
   • How will you call for medical attention if needed?
   • Is there anything we can do to help make your event a success?
7. Finalize the logistics of your event, which may include the following:
   • Discover ways to promote your event
   • Complete a Facility Set-Up Request Form at least 10 days prior to your event
   • Obtain funding for your event
   • Contact PEPS for technical assistance as needed.

Before you plan an event you should reserve an appropriate venue. Due to space limitations, it is advisable to reserve your location as early as possible. Contact Campus Services at x4443 or scheduling@carleton.edu to make a reservation or for referral to the appropriate person.

There should be no overcrowding of facilities, capacity violations, or excessive noise. When reserving a location for your event, be sure to ask about capacity limits.

Events must end by 1:00 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays; by 11:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. Other restrictions may apply during holidays, breaks, finals, etc. Social events are normally not allowed prior to the start of classes, after the last day of classes for the term or on Reading Days. Events with alcohol cannot be registered Sunday-Thursday or after the last day of class.

College policy prohibits additional registered large events OR events with alcohol that immediately precede, follow, or coincide with large, campus-wide events. Examples include Hauncert, Sproncert, Midwinter Ball, Rotblatt, New Student Week, and Senior Week.

Registered events and facility reservations are not accepted the night before Rotblatt (beginning at 8:00 p.m. Friday) or during Rotblatt (5:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Saturday) for any event with 25 or more students in attendance or events with alcohol.

Outdoor events must be aware and meet the regulations of applicable outdoor noise ordinances.

• must complete the online Large Event Registration Form and understand its implications and the legal responsibility they are assuming by hosting an event on College property;
• take personal responsibility in ensuring their event proceeds in a reasonable and safe manner;
• agree to remain sober for the duration of the event;
• assume responsibility for their own actions and the actions of their guests;
• should call Security for assistance if their event gets out of control or too crowded;
• are responsible for making sure that the event area is cleaned and returned to its original condition at the conclusion of their event; and
• are liable for any resulting damage and/or clean-up charges if the individual(s) responsible cannot be identified.

• Only persons 21 years-of-age and older may be served alcoholic beverages or have alcohol in their possession.
• Non-alcoholic beverages and food must be available in reasonable quantities for the duration of the event. Funds to help support this requirement may be available through the CSA “Alternative Beverage Fund.” Visit the CSA website for more information.
• Hosts must remain sober throughout the event. Hosts should not serve intoxicated persons and should, if appropriate, remove such people from the premises.
• A carding system at the entrance to exclude uninvited and identify underage persons is required. 
• High-risk alcohol activities such as drinking theme parties, drinking games, and progressives are inconsistent with the College’s commitment to responsible alcohol use, and are prohibited.
• Beer bongs, funnels, or any other device to increase the consumption rate of alcohol is prohibited.
• Hard alcohol, kegs and other common containers (e.g. punch bowls, party balls, etc.) of alcohol may be permitted at registered student events if the following two criteria are met: 1) the event is registered in advance through the Student Activities Office or Residential Life (depending upon event location), and 2) the alcohol is served by a College approved, licensed third party vendor. For the purpose of this policy, Carleton defines hard alcohol as anything other than beer, wine, or malt beverage. Note: A minimum of 10 business days is needed to make arrangements for a licensed third party vendor.
• Open containers that contain alcohol must be kept in the space reserved for the event.
• Event sponsor(s) must accept responsibility for abiding by all College policies, State laws, and Federal laws.

• The provisions of Northfield city ordinances and laws of Minnesota and the United States, including the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989 (Public Law 101-226), shall govern. The College prohibits the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees on College property or as part of any College activities.
• Persons under 21 years of age are prohibited from drinking alcoholic beverages. Persons 21 years of age or older may drink alcoholic beverages at events registered in public spaces.
• Alcohol is not permitted in any public area (residential or non-residential) without prior registration.
• Be sure to consult Carleton College’s policy on alcohol and other drugs.