UNO Student Organizations Utilization Policy

The Thompson Alumni Center is available to UNO student groups for a variety of events, including regular meetings, meal functions, initiations and fundraisers. Student groups must be officially recognized organizations registered with the UNO SOLP office. The Alumni Center is not a university-owned or taxpayer-funded facility. It exists through the generosity of UNO alumni and is available to the University community and to the general public for a variety of functions. All reservations are taken on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

No room rental fee is charged to UNO student groups unless the event is a revenue-generating educational conference, in which case a reduced rental fee will be charged.

 

If a (non-dance) event occurs after 5 p.m. on a weekday, any time during a weekend, or at any other time not considered regular business hours, there will be a $20/hour security guard fee charged from 1 hour prior to the event's scheduled starting time until 1/2-hour after the event's scheduled ending time. All security guard fees should be paid in advance of the event.

 

All food and beverage in the Alumni Center is provided by Brandeis Catering (334-5446); no outside food, other caterers or potlucks are allowed. If food and beverage is needed, student groups may use the special Campus Menu. Sales tax of 7% will be added to the catering bill. Student groups are not bound by the catering minimums required of outside groups. Brandies Catering may ask that all anticipated catering fees be paid in advance.

 

Policy for Dances Sponsored by UNO Student Groups

A minimum of four security officers are required at each dance. Security fees must be paid for by 4 p.m. the Monday before the dance. If security fees are not paid by this time, the dance will be cancelled by Alumni Center management. Security officers are not employed by or provided by UNO Campus Security.

 

Security Officer Responsibilities:

* Maintain a visible security presence in parking lots, at the check-in table and at the dance. The student organization may not prohibit officers from entering the dance.
* Hourly walk-through of all floors of the Alumni Center.
* Assist Alumni Center or student organization organizers in enforcing rules and regulations; assist with reasonable requests; assist during any emergency.

* Provide support to Alumni Center and student organization hosts.

* One officer will arrive 1 hour prior to the starting time of the event. The other three officers will arrive 1/2-hour before an event and will remain in the area for at least 1/2-hour after the scheduled ending time of the event to assure the orderly dispersal of attendees.
* Should a major disruption (such as a fight or other criminal act) occur during the event, security officers will take appropriate action, which may include using physical force or calling campus security/Omaha Police. At the discretion of the contracted security personnel or Campus Security, an event may be immediately cancelled if a disruption should occur. Security fees are non-refundable.

 

Student Organization Responsibilities:

(Student organization representatives are defined as officers, members or advisors of the host organization.)

* Designate and provide a contact person who is officially in charge who will introduce themselves to security personnel and make themself readily available throughout the event.

* Support and assist Alumni Center personnel, contracted security officers, Campus Security officers and others in the enforcement of safety and security rules and regulations.
* Student organizational representatives will periodically walk through the dance hall, the restrooms and other public areas to supervise those attending the dance.
* Student organization representatives will be stationed at the designated ticket table near the primary entrance of the building for the entire duration of the dance to monitor entering guests. They will sell or collect tickets, deny access to underage or chemically impaired guests and act as responsible event hosts rather then as participants in the event itself.

* Student organization representatives will be expected to enforce rules and regulations and will only call on security personnel when all other efforts have failed. Security officers are provided to ensure a safe and secure environment for the dance.

* The sponsoring agency is prohibited from bringing their own law enforcement or security personnel to the dance.

General Guidelines:

* These policies for student groups are a supplement to other Alumni Center policies which also must be followed.

* All dances must be scheduled a minimum of four weeks prior to the event date in order to secure officers to work the event.
* A cancellation fee will be charged if an event is cancelled less than five working days in advance. (The fee will be for two hours per officer.) If the dance is cancelled before this deadline, no fee will be charged.
* No one under the age of 19 (with the exception of currently enrolled university students) will be allowed to attend any dance held at the Alumni Center. Photo identification will be required to confirm the ages of those attending. Student organization representatives are responsible for checking University ID or drivers' license. At their discretion, security personnel also have the right to check IDs.
* The sponsoring organization or security personnel can deny entrance to the event to anyone for safety or security reasons.

* If deemed necessary, security personnel may ask all guests to leave coats and bags in vehicles or in a designated area within the Alumni Center.
* The host group will pay all security charges by 4 p.m. the Monday before the dance. The rate is $27.50 per hour per officer. The music will stop and the lights will be turned on at the event's scheduled ending time. Host personnel should stay until all of their guests have exited the building. All host personnel and guests should exit the building within 30 minutes of the scheduled ending time.

* Neither Security personnel nor Alumni Center personnel can be held liable for theft, damage or loss of income if problems occur during the event.

* The sponsoring student organization is fully responsible for any damage that may occur inside or immediately outside of the Alumni Center. If damage is discovered following an event the sponsoring organization may be billed.

* Smoking is not permitted inside the Alumni Center.

* Guest caught with alcoholic beverages will be asked to leave the premises immediately.

* Failure to follow proper procedures, pay applicable fees and other costs may result in suspension of a group's permission to use the Alumni Center in the future.

* These procedures have been written to ensure that events on campus are safe for University students and their guests.

August 24, 2007