Student Affairs officials rejected a request from Duke Student Government's programming committee to hold an event with University-bartended kegs.
Although it might always be “five o’clock somewhere,” students hoping to enjoy a Solo cup of beer at a weekday afternoon event on campus may be sorely disappointed at quitting time.
Student Affairs officials rejected a request from Duke Student Government’s programming committee to hold an event with University-bartended kegs this past Monday afternoon because of the event’s timing, noting that such an event when classes were in session would be disruptive. As a result, the program, a voting awareness barbecue slated for the day before Election Day, was moved to Saturday.
Some say DSG’s supplemental keg financing program, which allows student groups to use DSG funding for providing University-managed kegs at their events, provoked the administrative response.
“Now we have students wanting to use the new keg program Monday through Thursday on the quad,” explained Gregg Heinselman, director of student activities. “At this point in time we’re rejecting those requests, primarily because events on the quad tend to impact the living and learning residential community.”
The Office of Student Activities and Resident Life and Housing Services say programming requests are being analyzed on a case-by-case basis, as there is no formal legislation already in place. But in general, requests for events with alcohol during class hours will not be approved, they said. Under the University’s recently revised class schedule, classes are in session until 9:30 p.m. Friday evenings.
“I think this is reflective of the bigger issue, the bigger picture,” Heinselman said “I think its time for us to sit down and revisit the spirit of the alcohol policy.”
Some student leaders argue that restricting the times open for student groups to offer events with alcohol is hurting the overall campus social environment.
“It’s condensing programming into limited time spaces,” said Ajay Kori, DSG director of student services. “A majority of the week can now not be used for student events where they want to have kegs. I think it’s pretty detrimental to what we’re trying to do, to allow groups to have this programming. Now it’s just Friday nights and Saturdays.”
Student Organization Finance Committee Chair Dave Rausen, who administrates the supplementary keg funding, said DSG’s Student Affairs Committee will present a bill Wednesday about expanding the hours when student groups can offer events with alcohol on the quad.
“I think it’s kind of unreasonable to regulate our social life to give us hours when we can have events,” Rausen said. “The administration shouldn’t be allowed to do this.”
Student Affairs officials said they are striving to find a medium that both supports a healthy campus social life and respects the school’s needs through discussion with students.
“It’s not about formal legislation,” said Larry Moneta, vice president for student affairs. “This is an organic approach to finding a comfortable balance between student use and need for alcohol, and the institutional desire for alternatives to exist.”
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