Sonoma State Star

Issue date: 2/15/06 Section: News

Media Credit: Brad Schemberi // STAR A student enjoys a tasty snack and a foamy cup of draft beer at the Pub in the Student Union.

Alcohol has been on CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed's mind a lot lately, and apparently it has been on the minds of many students in the CSU system as well. A conference call with the Chancellor's office on Feb. 8 was dominated by discussion of the recently-enacted CSU alcohol policy.

The policy went into effect on Dec. 23, and students returned from the holidays to find that alcohol sales will be banned from all CSU sporting events held in university-owned or operated facilities. Further, advertising of beer and wine will be limited on all campuses.

"Alcohol abuse is the biggest, biggest problem on campus," Reed said, emphasizing the problem. "We have to pay attention to it every day so that we don't have [alcohol-related] tragedies."

When asked about potential revenue losses some campuses may have to deal with because of the new policy, Reed responded that other sources of revenue can be found from companies that project a different image than that of alcohol merchants.

"There are other companies like Coca Cola, Pepsi, and Dr. Pepper advertising other types of drinks," he said. "We must promote less use, more responsible use, and greater safety."

The new policy will not have much effect on the SSU campus, since strict alcohol prevention guidelines have been in place here for a number of years.

In July 2001, the CSU Board of Trustees adopted a comprehensive system-wide policy to curb student alcohol abuse, that SSU immediately implemented. The policy was the first in the country to be adopted by an entire university system, and called for consistent enforcement of policies, additional education on alcohol issues, intervention, treatment, a limit on alcohol vendor advertising, and $1.1 million in support funding from the Chancellor's Office.

According to Lisa Andresen, SSU's director of dining, on-campus advertising of alcoholic beverages is no longer an issue at SSU.

"Sonoma State Enterprises made an effort to change university advertising a few years ago," she said.

The Pub, on the second floor of the Student Union, did away with alcohol-related paraphernalia such as beer coasters, neon signs, and posters. Wine and bottled beer was also eliminated from the menu. A few draft beers are still available, but Andresen maintains it hasn't really affected sales because the Pub has mainly served as food stop for hungry students, rather than a place to consume alcohol.

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