Starting in the 2007/2008 school year, GSA began to implement a roaming social hour to simplify the bureaucracy behind hosting a happy hour for graduate students. The position of the GSA Social Coordinator was created to streamline this process and maintain the viability of this system. As a result GSA Reps can now request to host a Social Hour. This simple FAQ explains the GSA Social Hours in more detail:
How much does it cost?
They are free of charge.
What does requesting a GSA social hour come with?
A keg of beer (actually supplied in a kegerator), Snacks (e.g. Chips, Pretzels), Sodas/Water, and the use of a propane grill if requested.
How do I request a GSA social hour?
Check the calendar to make sure the date you want is available. Find a partner department (or two) that want to jointly host with yours. Send gsasocial@ucsd.edu an email with your name, the location at which you want to host the happy hour, the Facility Manager for that location and their contact information, whether the grill is desired or not, the requested week/date/ time and and most importantly the preferred flavor of beer. Requests must be made at least one month in advance in order to ensure the red tape can be satisfied in time.
Why are events jointly hosted?
One of the reasons for the Socal hours is to mix/ mingle, and this is more effective when joining two departments at one event. Additionally, due to the huge number of requests, there is not enough time in the quarter for GSA to allow individual departments to host.
Can I host an event on a day other than Friday?
The event can be held Wednesday, Thursday or Friday!
Can two events be hosted the same week if another department is hosting it on Wednesday?
Unfortunately due to logistics and sanity only one Roaming Social Hour will occur/be granted per week.
How often can my department host a roaming social hour?
If dates are available, it is possible to host (joint ) events as often as once per quarter. However, priority is given, in the vein of the roaming happy hours' mission, to departments who have not hosted in the recent past, so frequently hosting departments may not get first choice of dates.
What happens after my social hour is confirmed?
The GSA Social coordinator will begin to fill out the alcohol permit for your event, you will need to sign the permit to take liability for ensuring only 21+ adults are served. Once the permit is completed you will be notified. Then the week of the event you will need to pick up the key from the GSA Social Coordinator for the GSA Lounge anytime after Tuesday and before noon the day of your event. If you requested the grill you will also pay the 30$ deposit when the key is picked up. Grab the kegerator, allocated sodas/water (must bring all that is allocated to be compliant with alcohol policy), snacks, and grill if requested. Follow the directions on the kegerator. Return all unopened items, kegerator, grill to the GSA Lounge before Monday. Use the paper towels and 409 in GSA Lounge to clean the kegerator and grill (if used). Return key to GSA Social Coordinator before Tuesday. Coordinator will return deposit upon inspection of grill.
What am I liable for, why do I need to sign the alcohol permit?
In order to maintain accordance with the alcohol policy the GSA representative must certify compliance. Your signature on the alcohol permit certifies that you ensure beer is only served to 21+ individuals. By requesting a Social Hour and signing the alcohol permit you certify that you will be the only individual serving the beer. If more than one individual will be a designated server all must sign the alcohol permit.
What if my question wasn't answered on this page?
Email the GSA Social Coordinator at gsasocial@ucsd.edu.
