Social functions such as meetings, dances, parties, and conferences are a valuable part of student life. To make a positive contribution, however, they must be conducted with consideration for others. This entails, in addition to the requirements set forth below, keeping the sound level within reasonable limits and leaving the area used neat and clean. Violation of these regulations by individuals or student organizations may result in disciplinary action by the head of a student’s college or by the Yale College Executive Committee.

A. Organized social functions

Social functions are considered organized if they are financed, even in part, by funds administered by the Undergraduate Organizations Funding Committee (UOFC) or the University, even if they are off-campus, or if they are held in generally accessible areas like common rooms, lounges, dining halls, courtyards, or entryways of residential colleges and the Old Campus, or other University buildings or common areas.

B. Responsibility of hosts

For each organized or private social function in a residential college, in a college annex, or on the Old Campus that requires the approval of the head of college, a host or sponsoring organization must be designated to the head of college in advance. That individual or organization assumes responsibility for the orderly conduct and prompt conclusion of the event, as well as for cleaning the area used and returning furnishings to their proper places. In addition, the host or sponsoring organization will be liable for any expenses arising from damage to University premises or property or injuries to people. If alcoholic beverages are to be served, the host, who must be of legal drinking age, assumes responsibility for adherence to the state law that prohibits the service of alcoholic beverages to persons under the age of twenty-one or to anyone who is intoxicated (CT General Statute, Section 30-89a). If at a private function on campus the number of participants unexpectedly exceeds fifty, the host must reduce the number of guests or end the function.

For events using University funds that are hosted off-campus, the Yale College Dean's office must be notified in advance.  

All hosts must ensure their events meet accessibility requirements. 

C. Service of alcoholic beverages

Any service of alcoholic beverages at a social function, whether organized or private, must be in full compliance with the laws of the State of Connecticut and the Yale College regulations on alcohol. Heads of college, deans, dining hall personnel, security personnel, and the Yale Police Department are authorized to request a student’s identification card in order to confirm that they are of legal drinking age.

D. Events in the residential colleges

1. Events may take place in a general access area of a residential college only if advance permission has been granted by the head of college. Approval of the head of college must be obtained no later than four days in advance of any organized social function anywhere in a college or in its annexes or in an affiliated entry on the Old Campus. Students must submit event requests through the Yale Connect portal, where the appropriate administrative reviewers may be notified if necessary. 

2. If alcoholic beverages will be served, approval must be obtained at least one week prior to the event.

3. If a college dining hall is to be used, permission must also be obtained in advance from the dining hall manager.

4. Private social functions in students’ rooms in the residential colleges, in the college annexes, and on the Old Campus at which more than twenty participants are expected require advance approval by the head of college. These private social functions may not make use of the general access areas listed in section D.1, above, and may not have more than fifty participants at any one time.

5. Permission may be granted at the discretion of the head of college for functions or activities sponsored by student organizations that are registered with the Yale College Dean's Office or by student groups that are associated with the particular college. Any out-of-pocket expenses, as for special janitorial or security services, shall be borne by the sponsoring group.

6. Permission to hold private functions in the residential colleges will not be granted to individuals or groups not affiliated with Yale University.

E. Hours

All social functions, organized or private, that take place on University property must end no later than 11 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday nights and 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. With the head of college's approval, a college social committee may each term sponsor one organized function that extends until 2 a.m. on a Friday or Saturday night.

F. Use of University facilities

If an undergraduate individual, group, or organization wishes to use University space or property for a meeting, lecture, or other activity, the appropriate administrative office in charge of that facility or space must approve the request, including the Yale Police Department, the Office of the Fire Marshal, the Office of Environmental Health and Safety, and the Office of Risk Management. Registered student organizations must request the use of these spaces through their organization's Yale Connect portal, where the appropriate administrative reviewers may be notified if necessary. 

Advance notice. Since there is a heavy demand on University facilities, requests should be submitted as soon as possible and, always, at least two weeks in advance of the event. Requests for complex and/or larger events should be submitted at least two months in advance in order to ensure adequate time for the Yale College Dean's Office, the Office of the University Registrar, and other reviewers to respond.

Police services. The person or organization sponsoring an event or conference that includes guests from outside the Yale community must notify the Yale Police Department at least two weeks prior to the event. The chief of the Yale Police Department, or their designee, will determine whether police services are needed and the number of police officers appropriate for the event. The person or organization sponsoring the event will be financially responsible for police services.

Classrooms. For the use of classrooms and certain auditoriums, undergraduate organizations will ordinarily not be charged a room fee when no admission charge is made, but there may be fees for specific services, e.g., media services, extra janitorial service, and the like. Reservation information is available online through the Office of the University Registrar at classrooms.yale.edu and reservations for classrooms spaces should be submitted through Yale Connect.

Office Space. Undergraduate organizations wishing to secure an office or storage space on campus must petition Yale College's Office of Student Organizations by writing to student.organizations@yale.edu. Space is extremely limited, and requests will be considered only when an organization presents strong evidence of the need for it. Organizations that have been in existence within the University for less than two full academic years will ordinarily not be considered eligible for the use of an office. The privilege to use an office is granted for only one academic year, but permission may be renewed from year to year by the assistant dean of student affairs, Hannah Peck.

Theatrical elements. Organizers of events and activities using theatrical elements (e.g., scenery, lighting, staging, seating risers, props, and costumes), whether on or off campus, must consult in advance with Undergraduate Production and comply with regulations for such activities.

G. Outdoor events on campus

Students who wish to conduct an outdoor activity, performance, or event on Yale property must secure permission in advance from the Office of the Secretary and Vice President of University Life for an event on Cross Campus or Hewitt Quadrangle (Beinecke Plaza) or from the dean of students for an event on the Old Campus or other outdoor spaces. Any activity conducted in these spaces should reflect respect for University property and the rights of others. Application for the use of these spaces must be made at least one week in advance of an event.

H. Admission charges

Admission charges may be levied for organized social functions only in the event of substantial entertainment costs and never to cover the purchase of alcoholic beverages. No admission charge or any other fee may be levied for private social functions on or off campus.

I. Posters, Chalking, and publicity

Postering. The following rules apply to posters or similar items (“posters”).  

1. Location: Posters may be placed only on bulletin boards, kiosks, display cases, or other spaces that Yale College has designated for posting. No posters may be placed on other campus spaces (for example, on or hung from windows, on the exterior of any buildings, on campus gates, or walls). 
2. Format: Posters may not exceed 11 inches by 17 inches. Posters may not be affixed using any damaging materials (for example, glue, staples, or tape). Thumbtacks or pushpins should be used on bulletin boards but may not be used on any interior or exterior woodwork.
3. Content: Posters for an event must provide the name, date, time, and location of the event; the name of the sponsoring organization; and the email address or phone number of the organizers. For all posters, the person or organization putting up the poster must clearly print their name and the date on the poster. Only one copy of a poster may be placed in the same designated space at any one time. Posters may not include content that is harassing, threatening, or that violates law or Yale policy.
4. Removal: Authorized staff typically remove all posters from bulletin boards and other designated spaces once a week. Staff also may remove posters that do not comply with this policy; no one else (other than the person who posted the poster) may remove, deface, obscure, or destroy existing posters.

Chalking. The following rules apply to chalk messages on Yale’s campus:

1. Location: Chalk may be used only on outdoor walkways that are open to the sky and the weather. Chalk may not be used indoors, on walls or other vertical surfaces, or on covered outdoor areas (e.g., under overhangs or archways).
2. Format: Chalk messages must use temporary materials (e.g. only water-soluble chalk may be used, not spray chalk) and may not exceed 4 feet by 4 feet. Additionally, not more than one chalk message associated with the same person or organization may be visible from any single point.
3. Content: Chalk messages may not include content that is harassing, threatening, or that violates law or Yale policy.
4. Removal: Authorized staff may remove chalking that does not comply with this policy, or after one week, or in the normal course of cleaning facilities and grounds.

All notices of events, including those on social media, may contain no advertising of the availability of alcoholic beverages.  Graduate or professional schools and residential colleges may impose additional requirements or exceptions. Before posting or chalking in a particular Yale building or location, the applicable policy should be reviewed.

Violation of these regulations may result in an organization’s loss of official recognition and consequent loss of funding opportunities. Violations may also subject individuals to discipline under other university or school regulations. Students or organizations may also be charged for the costs of removing improperly posted materials and repairing any damaged property. See University Postering and Chalking Policy. 

J. Solicitation, sales, and Fundraising

K. Tailgating

Rules governing tailgating may be found at https://yalecollege.yale.edu/policies-procedures/yaleharvard-tailgating-policies.

The regulations in this section apply to all Yale undergraduates. Additional regulations particularly relevant to registered undergraduate organizations appear in Undergraduate Organizations. Other regulations pertaining to social functions, whether sponsored by registered undergraduate organizations or by other students or student organizations in Yale College, appear in Social Functions.

L. Student productions

All performance events produced by undergraduates on the Yale campus must adhere to the Undergraduate Production Policies.These events include dramatic, musical, dance, operatic, and comedy productions, as well as other presentations performed before an audience. Note that all University spaces fall under the jurisdiction of the Yale Office of the Fire Marshal, Yale Environmental Health and Safety, and the department that owns or manages the space (e.g., Head of College’s Office or Chaplain’s Office). Individual venues may have specific safety policies; in the event of conflicting policies, the most stringent will apply.

Production elements not conforming to the Undergraduate Production Policies may be cut from a production. Failure to observe these regulations may result in the event being stopped. Serious or repeated violations will be referred to the Yale College Dean’s Office for possible disciplinary action.

All students involved in undergraduate productions share responsibility for the safety of the production team, audience, and performance space. Participants should be familiar with the relevant regulations and observe them throughout all phases of the production process. They should direct any questions or concerns to the appropriate adviser, Undergraduate Production staff, or other relevant University officials, and consistently apply good judgment and common sense.

The use of drugs or alcohol in any theater by the production team or audience is strictly forbidden and may result in individual expulsion from the theater and/or immediate termination of the production’s use of the theater.

No use of prop weapons or stage combat of any kind is allowed, in rehearsal or performance, without the express written permission of Undergraduate Production. Requests for the use of stage combat must be submitted to Undergraduate Production by the CPA deadline at the beginning of the semester in which the production will occur. Requests for the use of prop weapons must be made to the Undergraduate Production Technical Director of the specific production at least six weeks prior to the first performance date. Additional regulations can be found in the Prop Weapon and Stage Combat Policy.

Theatrical scenes depicting sexual content or assault must follow the Guidelines for Rehearsing Material with Sexual Content. Prior to auditions, all actors must be informed of roles that include nudity, partial nudity, consensual sexual touching, and/or depictions of sexual assault. Undergraduate Production staff must be consulted in advance of any auditions or rehearsals and will determine which productions require the presence of a named combat and intimacy adviser. Additional guidelines and information can be found in the Guidelines for Rehearsing Material with Sexual Content.