Purdue News
Purdue News
The action means that Purdue will apply for appropriate state licenses to serve alcohol. If the applications are approved, the university could begin offering the service at the Purdue Memorial Union and other approved venues on campus by the end of this year, said Frederick R. Ford, executive vice president and treasurer.
Ford said the new policy will allow university administrative units, recognized organizations, visiting conferences and other outside groups that use certain Purdue facilities to be served alcohol, provided proper approvals are received and procedures followed. All alcohol served on campus would have to be ordered through the Memorial Union and served by staff trained for the purpose.
Under the policy, student organizations also may request alcohol service at catered functions, but all groups will be required to certify that more than half the people attending will be over the age of 21, and all persons served alcoholic beverages must be at least 21 years old, Ford said.
"Purdue is the only Big Ten institution that does not provide for alcohol service at campus functions, and our policy has been one of the most restrictive in the country," Ford said. "We have concluded that we can serve our various constituencies better and make the Greater Lafayette community more attractive to visiting adult conferences by modifying the policy. Alcohol is a legal substance that is widely accepted in our culture. Many of the groups that utilize our facilities would like the option to have alcoholic beverages served. We believe the new policy can accommodate service in a way that will not foster abuse and that will ensure we are in full compliance with all local and state laws."
Ford said the new policy will not include either a university-run bar or a removal of the ban on alcohol in undergraduate residence halls.
Purdue's policy has prohibited the possession or use of alcohol anywhere on campus with the exception of Married Student Housing, the two graduate student residence buildings and the Union Club hotel. Greek student organizations and cooperative housing units are considered off-campus residences, but their use of alcohol is subject to university guidelines, which will not change.
"Although alcohol abuse, especially among students, continues to be a major concern, Purdue traditionally has recognized that alcohol is a legal and accepted substance in our society and that the most rational policy is one that stresses education and enlightened decision making, rather than strict prohibition," Ford said. "The proposed change is consistent with that philosophy and, in fact, may represent an opportunity to demonstrate that alcohol can be managed responsibly."
Source: Frederick R. Ford, (765) 494-9705
Writer: Joseph L. Bennett, (765) 494-2082; e-mail, joe_bennett@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu
