Purdue News

November 14, 1997

Purdue caterers to offer alcohol starting in January

Robert Mindrum, director of the Purdue Memorial Union, said Friday (11/14) that the Indiana Alcohol and Beverage Commission has approved the university's request for the permit. The Board of Trustees had endorsed the permit application at its meeting in May. Purdue has been the only Big Ten institution that did not provide for alcohol service at campus functions.

"This will give us the opportunity to better serve our customers," Mindrum said. "Many groups interested in holding conferences and functions at Purdue previously had gone elsewhere because we could not serve alcohol. This had been a loss not only to the campus but also to the Greater Lafayette community."

Mindrum said he has formed a team to hire and train staff, develop policies and procedures, set pricing, and purchase needed inventory and equipment. "We hope to have this work accomplished by early December, and then we will begin accepting requests," he said.

The board voted in May to 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 must be ordered through the Purdue Memorial Union and served by staff trained for the purpose.

All groups requesting alcohol service will be required to certify that more than half the people attending will be over the age of 21, the minimum age for alcohol consumption set by state law.

Student organizations may request alcohol service at catered functions, but Purdue will not allow a university-run bar or alcohol in undergraduate residence halls.

Purdue already had allowed alcohol in 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 and state laws.

CONTACT: Mindrum, (765) 494-8901; e-mail, rlmindrum@pmu.purdue.edu
Writer: Jeanne Norberg, (765) 494-2096; e-mail, jeanne_norberg@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu

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