Creating alternatives to keg parties just got a little easier.
Student groups who want to sponsor alternative programming on campus can now apply for funds that would fully subsidize the cost of renting University space, including the Von Canon halls, the Multipurpose Center and the Upper East Side.
Last year, the committee that recommended restricting the alcohol distribution policy made several recommendations to provide more alternatives to kegs. One of them was to make University facilities and services less expensive.
The new policy was created by Janet Dickerson, vice president of student affairs, in response to these complaints, said Richard Cox, associate vice president of student affairs.
Administrators said they hope that the new policy will make programming easier and more successful.
Any recognized graduate or undergraduate student group can apply for a subsidy. This includes greek organizations and other groups that may have their own space or commons room, Cox said.
Dickerson said she has set aside $10,000 from her discretionary fund to fuel the project until the end of the academic year.
Currently, Von Canon costs $90 to reserve including setup, take down and technical services, while the Multipurpose center costs $120 for students. Dickerson said she doesn't foresee the money running out.
"This is a chance to see how frequently the fund will be used," she said. "I don't have any more [money] in my own resources, and I don't anticipate any other resources having more money."
The policy was created to support open functions, but groups wishing to program activities closed to the public can also apply, said Linda Studer-Ellis, assistant dean of university life.
"If the nature of a closed function is to promote interaction between two specific groups, then it will pass," Studer-Ellis said.
Open distribution of alcohol is not allowed at subsidized events, although there may be a cash bar operated by a licensed distributor, Cox said.
Leaders of student groups are pleased that the policy was finally implemented.
"I think it's long overdue," said Trinity junior Sarah Dodds, co-president of Spectrum, a organization which promotes diversity. "This is a step in the right direction and it shows that Dickerson and those who worked with her are on the ball."
Group leaders said that smaller groups and cultural groups in particular would benefit most from the new policy.
"Those groups are usually the ones that are strapped for money," Dodds said.
However, some students think the program might draw attention to a lack of campus facilities.
"This new policy is going to generate a lot of competition for a few spaces," said Trinity junior Darren Jer, president of the Asian Student Association.
Although most students think the new policy will benefit cultural groups, some are unsure if the policy will directly decrease interest in keg parties.
"There is definitely a new incentive to program," Jer said. "However, more steps will need to be taken to provide a full array of alternatives to kegs."
Along with their application, groups must submit a budget proposal and a publicity plan for open events, Studer-Ellis said.
"This is mostly so we can help groups, if we see a problem with their plans," she said.
Applications for the subsidy are available in the University Life office located in the Bryan Center. There is no application deadline, Studer-Ellis said.
Completed applications are submitted to the Bryan Center office, where an administrator will immediately review them, she said.
If there is a problem, the application will be sent to a committee for a final decision, Studer-Ellis said. The committee would be composed of three administrators from University Life and three students.
"We are aiming for, at most, a 24-hour turnaround on approvals," Cox said.
Groups can apply for the subsidy an unlimited number of times. Limiting the use of the subsidy would be detrimental to programming keg alternatives, Studer-Ellis said.
"If a group is programming events that are beneficial to the community, we're not going to prohibit them," she said.
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