Writing Center Event Information & Policies

🥂 Alcohol Consumption

During certain Writing Center events, alcohol may be consumed legally and responsibly.
DePaul University has multiple policies in place regarding the consumption of alcohol on campus, including the Code of Student Responsibility, Alcohol Policy, Drug-Free Workplace and Legal Drinking Age Compliance, and Catering Services Exclusivity policy. At Writing Center events, it is the Writing Center’s responsibility to ensure compliance with these policies.
For any type of event, be it open to the public or an internal event for Writing Center staff only, event hosts are responsible for ensuring all DePaul University and Writing Center policies regarding alcohol are followed.

🪩 Public Writing Center Events:

Open to DePaul and/or the Broader Community
The Writing Center does not wish to take on the liability of alcohol consumption and ID verification for persons beyond known and trusted student employees, such as members of the broader DePaul community and/or public. As such, regardless of age or Writing Center affiliation, attendees at public Writing Center events are NOT permitted to consume or bring alcohol.
The Exception:
For some public events, the Writing Center may choose to order and pay for Chartwells catering services, including professional bartending staff who are charged with the oversight of alcohol consumption.
The consumption of alcohol at any public events where the Writing Center has chosen to provide alcohol is limited to alcohol provided through Chartwells, DePaul’s official caterer. As such, the consumption of alcohol is governed by catering policies, including paying for professional bartenders, and ID checks.
Examples of Public Writing Center Events
  • writing groups (e.g. Writers Guild, College of Education Doctoral Program Writing Group, Faculty Writing Community)
  • open mic events (e.g. Aloud!, collaborative open mics)
  • Writing Matters, a panel discussion with writers in a particular field or discipline

🥳 Internal Writing Center Events:

Only Open to Current Staff Members
If an event host has confirmed that a Writing Center coordinator or director will be physically present at an event to check IDs, current Writing Center Staff Members who are 21+ are permitted to bring and consume alcohol at Internal Writing Center events.
The Exception:
One exception to this rule is that attendees are not permitted to bring their own alcohol to any Writing Center event at which the Writing Center has ordered catering through Chartwells. Following DePaul University catering policies, events that offer catering may also order alcohol and the required bartending services package if alcohol will be served. The Writing Center will clearly announce for any staff-only events if alcohol will be provided by the Writing Center, and thus if bringing alcohol will not be permitted.
Examples of Internal Writing Center Events
  • trivia night
  • game night
  • craft night
  • “inreach” socials
Procedure for Event Hosts Hosting Internal Writing Center Events that may include Alcohol Consumption
  1. Confirm with the event coordinator or Writing Center Associate Director Erin Herrmann that the event is for current Writing Center staff members only and is not a Chartwells-catered event.
  1. Ask a professional staff member (e.g a Writing Center administrator or coordinator) to be present and willing to check IDs at the event.
  1. Communicate to event attendees that those who are 21+ may bring and consume alcohol and will be required to show their valid, unexpired ID to the professional staff member upon arrival, in accordance with this Writing Center policy.
  1. Communicate to event attendees that responsible, respectful behavior related to the consumption of alcohol is expected in accordance with DePaul policies.

💢 Policy Violation Protocol

If the Writing Center receives information that an event attendee’s conduct may violate the policies stated here and/or are in violation of the DePaul University policies linked above, the Writing Center will follow DePaul’s requirements for reporting conduct violations.
  • Additionally, Writing Center staff members who violate policies will be subject to progressive discipline measures up to and including termination
In the event of an individual breaking the law by drinking underage, or in the event of an emergency at any type of Writing Center event, contact the DePaul Office of Public Safety. Emergency situations may include but are not limited to, someone drinking to excess, being disruptive, or becoming ill.