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UW defends new alcohol proposal
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by Nick Penzenstadler
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
A group of University of Wisconsin students officially pledged Tuesday night to fight a proposed university policy that would limit the consumption of alcohol by student organizations.
The hotly contested proposal would force student organizations sponsoring events where alcohol is served to meet a set of criteria, including creating a system to identify and confront both underage drinking and over intoxication. They would also need to provide food and non-alcoholic beverages.
According to a list of talking points provided by UW Communications, the goal of the policy is to help protect student leaders and student organizations from legal liability.
According to Wisconsin Union Directorate representative Mitra Jalali, though, the policy's "alleged purpose" is still unclear.
Jalali said the group feels the proposed policy is too vague and targets the wrong individuals.
"By virtue of its target and language, the proposal at hand is imprecise and misguided," Jalali said. "It targets the wrong population of students."
Interim Associate Dean of Students Elton Crim attended the press conference and explained the university's interest in compromise. He said administrators will work with five to 10 students chosen by the Wisconsin Union Directorate and Hoofers to rethink the draft.
"What we're interested in is moving forward [with a plan] that works for you," Crim said. "We're excited about having students participate. We want to be able to discuss it."
Some students, however, including UW senior Alex Grace, expressed frustration with a perceived lack of cooperation and inclusion from the administration in drafting the policy.
"We are standing together, as a diverse group of student leaders, to formally oppose this policy in the way it was formulated and its content," Grace said. "It's in direct violation of shared governance and, frankly, embarrassing to the Student Organization Office and the UW administration."
Wisconsin Union Directorate President Shayna Hetzel said she was satisfied administrators attended the meeting, but feels the reaction only came as a result of the official announcement.
"I'm glad that administrators showed up. It's unfortunate this is what it took to open that dialogue with them," Hetzel said. "I'm still not convinced they are treating us with mutual respect and trust us to make responsible decisions."
Meg Reinbold, president of the outdoor activity group the Hoofer Council, said the inclusion of students' voices was limited to only three students in its early stages.
"While we do appreciate this group's attempt to protect us, we feel blindsided by the policy," Reinbold said. "It wasn't seen until after five months and seven drafts had been worked through."
UW is the only Big Ten school without a policy regarding alcohol use with student organizations, which could present a liability risk, according to UW Communications.
Hetzel, however, said the policy doesn't clearly address appropriate issues.
"We're not here to say we're above the law, or that we endorse binge drinking," Hetzel said.
At the press conference, Crim said the administration sees no need to rush and approve the policy.
"We're not pressed to get this done in the next month or two months. We're able to take some steps back and get some membership and see [what] we can come up with," Crim said. "We're not interested in fighting — we're interested in treating [students] like adults."
Anonymous (February 21, 2007 @ 10:54am):
You crazy drunks.
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