EIU Office of General Counsel

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there anything I can do to avoid being sued?

Yes, become familiar with the policies, procedures, and contracts which affect your job, follow safety and health procedures carefully, and always report potential safety hazards to your supervisor. Be objective and precise when writing letters, memos, or other documents in the workplace.

Can a student organization hold a bingo event as a fundraiser?

No. By definition in Illinois statutes, bingo is considered a form of lottery.

Eastern's Internal Governing Policy #78 states: The University does not permit raffles or lotteries to be conducted on its premises by student organizations."  Illinois Bingo License and Tax Act (230 ILCS 25/1 et seq.).

Further information on the Bingo License and Tax Act can be found at the Illinois Department of Revenue Regulations web page site:   http://www.revenue.state.il.us/legalinformation/regs/part430.

Assuming certain materials are copyrighted, may I use them without the owner's permission?

Eastern Board Regulations contain a section designated to Copyright and Patent Policies. You should read these first as to questions pertaining to what Eastern recognizes.

Please also access the University's website on copyright.

There are copyright guidelines for instructors in not-for-profit educational institutions which allow them to make a copy of a copyrighted document to teach their class. This includes a chapter from a book, a newspaper article, a cartoon, picture, or a short story or poem.  If multiple copies are made (only one copy per student), the instructor must include a notice of copyright with each copy, and the copying must meet certain tests of brevity, spontaneity, and cumulative effect.

For further information, feel free to contact this office.

Charitable Games (Gambling)

Gambling is strictly limited and controlled by State Law. A license is required for all "Charitable Games".  (See the Charitable Games Act, 230 ILCS 30/1 et seq.). In order to conduct a charitable game, a license must be obtained from the State Department of Revenue and, if applicable, the City of Charleston.

Licenses are issued to charitable, religious, fraternal (except a college or high school fraternity or sorority), veterans, labor, or educational organizations or an institution conducted on a not-for-profit basis.  The organization must have been in existence, on a local or national basis, for at least five years.

There are civil and criminal penalties for conducting charitable games without a license or permitting charitable games to be conducted on your premises.

In general, in order to be licensed, the organization must be a legal entity in existence for at least five years as a not-for-profit organization or be one of the other types or organizations listed above to qualify for a license. Illinois Raffles Act (230 ILCS 15/1 et seq.).

Can organizations serve alcohol on campus?

Organization members and guests under 21 years of age are prohibited from the delivery, sale, serving, possession, and consumption of alcoholic beverages on University property or at University events. Organization members and guests who are 21 years of age or older are prohibited from the delivery, sale, serving, possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages on University property or at University events, except in certain designated locations that have been specified in accordance with State Law and University Policy.

The use of alcohol is an optional service provided principally for off-campus groups and organizations in conjunction with the institution's program of conference and convention-type activities.

Whom should I contact if I feel I have been harassed by virtue of my gender, race, national origin, age, or disability?

The University's Office of Civil Rights, 1011 Old Main, Phone 581-5020.

What type of legal services are provided by the Office of General Counsel?

The General Counsel represents the University as a whole in relation to official University business. This office does not handle personal matters for any of Eastern's employees.

How can I receive a legal opinion from the General Counsel?

If you have documentation you need reviewed, please submit it along with a memo identifying areas of concern.

If you have a question, have your supervisor/director call 581-7249.

Topics

If there are questions you have and would like to have topics included in this section, please contact this office. Our objective is to post the information that is most helpful to the University community.