The Associated Students of Madison Student Council unanimously approved a resolution of suggested changes to the campus alcohol-policy recommendations recently made by a campus task force.
The Event Alcohol Sales and Service Task Force was charged with reviewing the university’s alcohol policies following the sexual-assault controversy during the 2012 Rose Bowl.
One of the task force’s recommendations, which would restrict graduate students and their organizations from serving alcohol at events, received criticism over the effect it would have on event attendance.
Student Council Rep. Kyle Rak said events would be less successful because serving alcohol is a tradition at many of them.
“The turnouts would be a lot lower and the events would not be anywhere near as fun,” Rak said.
Council approved legislation recommending changes to allow graduate or professional registered student organizations to get alcohol permits, as well as allowing project assistant or teaching assistant graduate students to serve alcohol at events.
Another of the task force’s recommendations would prevent an event with over 50 attendees or lasting longer than two hours from obtaining an alcohol permit.
Student Council Rep. Jamie Wheeler said the recommendation would affect department events that many faculty, staff and graduate or professional students attend, adding it would be expensive to hire a catering service.
ASM’s resolution recommends large events with everyone over the minimum drinking age be eligible for alcohol permits regardless of attendance or length.
Wheeler said the resolution would go to Vice Chancellor for Administration Darrell Bazzell, in addition to the original recommendations made by the task force.
