College Students and Responsible Serving

HomeCollege Students and Responsible Serving^®

It can be easy to think that once a student is in college that underage drinking is "not a big deal" or that "everyone does it." It is a big deal.

According to 2009 statistics from the National Institutes of Health, nearly 60% of college students ages 18 to 20 years old drink. In addition to underage drinking among college students, there are also concerns about binge drinking, as well as alcohol-related accidents and assaults.

As a responsible server, your job is to check IDs and refuse service to anyone underage - whether they're 16 years old or a few days from turning 21. Keep these tips in mind as school gets back in session:

Always follow the state laws and the policies of your establishment. When in doubt, know that it is YOUR responsibility to make sure that anyone buying alcohol is of legal age.

Don't rely on your ability to guess customer ages. Card everyone who looks 30 or younger.

Do not accept the excuse that they "forgot" or "lost" their ID. Anyone going out to a restaurant or bar knows they need an ID in order to drink. No ID means no alcohol.

Use what you've learned about fake IDs, especially the acronym FEAR. FEAR stands for:

Feel - for holes, rough spots, glue lines, or IDs that feel thicker than they should.
Examine - for blurs, text or images that don't line up, incomplete holograms, and to see if the photo and description match the customer.
Ask - ask questions about the ID (address, middle name, birthdate) or ask for a second form of ID.
Refuse - if you believe that the ID is fake or does not belong to the customer, refuse service.

For out-of-state licenses, check your state ID guidebook. Take the time you need to thoroughly examine the ID.

Watch for customers buying alcohol or pitchers to share with underage drinkers. Follow the alcohol back to the table and check IDs of everyone who will be drinking it.

Remember to serve alcohlic beverages, like these mixed drinks, responsibly.

Remember to serve alcohlic beverages, like these mixed drinks, responsibly.

Watch back doors and other entrances where underage individuals may try to sneak in without getting their ID checked at the door.

Once you've determined that a customer is of legal age, your job isn't done. You also need to know the signs of intoxication and when to stop serving.

Follow the law and your establishment policies every time. Serving and selling to someone who is underage or is already intoxicated can get you fined, fired, and in some places, sued. It can also result in fines for your employer and can put their liquor license in jeopardy.

For more information on responsible serving^® of alcohol, check out our online training course.

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