The Safe Party Initiative

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Going to a party?

Before you go:

• Eat a good meal, including protein, and drink water
• Set a limit on how much you want to drink and ask a friend to help you maintain it.
• If you’re taking any medications—even over-the-counter ones—check for possible bad interactions with alcohol. Not sure? Check out this list of drug and alcohol interactions.
• Make a plan to get home safely and use the buddy system: you go out together, you come home together.
• Be cautious about pre-gaming; you want to be aware enough to enjoy the party you’re going to!

At the party:

• Pace yourself and alternate drinks with water or a non-alcoholic drink.
• Stick with one type of alcohol if possible.
• Avoid large containers of mixed drinks; it’s impossible to know what's in the mix and how much alcohol it contains.
• Keep an eye on your friends… and your drink. Dump it out and get a new one if you think it’s been tampered with.
• Try to avoid shots; most alcohol overdoses occur after slamming a lot of shots in a short period of time.
• Always respect someone’s choice not to drink. About 20% of Geneseo students choose to stay sober.

After the party:

Leave with the friends you came with.
Watch out for your friends. Know the signs of alcohol or other drug overdose and call 911 immediately to get medical attention. Tell responders that this is a Good Samaritan situation to avoid any Student Conduct sanctions.

Need a ride?

Make sure you get a safe ride home.

Want more info?

Contact the Alcohol and Other Drug Program Coordinator or email pkosmowski@geneseo.edu to schedule a free, confidential consultation.

If you have concerns about your alcohol or cannabis use, take this confidential screening and receive a personalized profile.

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Know your limits

Be kind to your liver and brain: watch your BAC!

• Calculate your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and determine how much you can safely drink
• For reference, most people who are transported for alcohol overdose have a BAC of .20 or higher

Note: we recognize that sex and gender are not binary; for purposes of calculating a BAC, you will be asked to select male or female.

"One drink" is 12 oz. of beer, 5 oz. of wine, or 1.5 oz. of liquor.

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Host checklist

As host, you are responsible for the safety and welfare of your guests. Familiarize yourself with local laws.

Before the party:

• Let your neighbors know you’ll be having a party, so they’ll call the sober host before they call the police.
• Designate sober monitors to check IDs and monitor the event
• Plan your guest list and how you’ll prevent unwanted guests from showing up.
• Plan to serve water, non-alcoholic drinks, and snacks, especially if you’re allowing under-21 guests to attend.
• For big events, obtain a noise permit from the Village of Geneseo.

Day of the party:

• Designate one main entrance and close other access routes, such as windows, to regulate who you want at the party.
• Close doors to bedrooms and other private areas to protect your personal belongings and property.
• Have sober monitors check IDs and watch guests for signs of alcohol overdose; call 911 if you are concerned. Be sure to stay with the person and ask for Good Samaritan status when first responders arrive.
• Do not sell alcohol. This includes selling drink tickets, cups, charging for "decorations" or "food" or charging for "all you can drink." This is a violation of the NYS liquor law.
• Keep partiers and drinks inside the property to avoid noise ordinance and open container law violations.
• Make sure guests get home safely! Remember, as party host you are liable for the actions of people who leave your party intoxicated.

After the party:

• Be a good neighbor! Clean up any trash surrounding your place and anything that has spilled over to a neighbor’s property. Many landlords in Geneseo require that all trash be picked up within 24 hours.
• Rest up, eat well, and hydrate. If you have had a significant amount of alcohol, it will take your body and brain 48-72 hours to be fully back online.

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Tips for safe hosting

• Serve water, non-alcoholic drinks, and snacks for guests, particularly for those who are under 21 (if allowed at your party).
• Check IDs* for everyone entering your party, not just SUNY Geneseo IDs; acceptable forms of ID with age information include valid driver license, state-issued ID and U.S. active-duty military ID.
• Use a mark or wristband to distinguish between guests who are under 21, or 21 and over.
• Consider providing alternative activities for the group; alcohol doesn’t need to be the main event.
• Be wary of serving alcohol in large, open "punch bowl" type containers; in these situations it would be easy for someone to slip in a drug.
• If you notice someone appearing very drunk early on, call 911, as they may have been drugged.

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For student organizations

• Designate a risk manager (a member of the organization or advisor) to oversee risk management policies and procedures.
• Educate the organization by bringing in guest speakers to discuss alcohol and other drug issues, personal safety, and risk management.
• Inform your advisor and your officers of your event and involve them in your planning. Invite them to your events to help maintain order and to assist you with active risk management.
• Avoid using organization funds/dues for the purchase of alcohol.
• Never promote or sponsor a function where you or your organization may be interpreted as selling alcohol by selling drink tickets, charging for admission, or asking party-goers to help pay for “decorations." Other possible interpretations of selling alcohol include charging for “all you can drink”, and hosting an event in conjunction with a local bar or alcohol distributor.

Signs of alcohol overdose:

Remember PUBS:

• Puking while passed out
• Unresponsive to pinching or shaking
• Breathing is irregular, slow, shallow, or has stopped
• Skin is blue, cold, or clammy

Alcohol overdose is a medical emergency. Call 911.

If you see someone with symptoms of alcohol overdose:

• Seek emergency medical treatment: call 911. Stay on the phone until instructed to hang up.
• Provide whatever information the dispatcher asks for.
• Do not leave the person alone.
• If the person is unconscious, place them on their side, so they won't choke if they vomit.

Worried about "getting in trouble?"

Good Samaritan laws ensure that students under the legal drinking age (21) who seek medical assistance for themselves or their fellow students will be exempt from sanctions related to the possession and consumption of alcohol.