Sen. Noah Hull is one of the authors of Senate Resolution 2340. This resolution was drafted to provide malt beverage sales at athletic events.
The resolution was written to equalize opportunities for fans in the regular seating as well as the Wildcatter suites.
Current UW Department of Athletics policy states the sale and consumption of malt beverages and alcoholic spirits are permitted in the Wildcatter Stadium Boxes and Suites, but not in the general seating areas, which make up the majority of the seats.
Hull said it seems unfair to allow alcoholic sales in the Wildcatter Boxes and Suites but not in the general seating or student sections. If alcohol sale is allowed in some places, it should be allowed everywhere, he said.
Hull said ASUW proposed the resolution to give equal rights to every student. Hull also said he believed the sale of malt beverages at athletic events would decrease the amount of binge drinking that happens before the games.
However, UW President Tom Buchanan disagreed.
Buchanan said UW has had a reputation for binge drinking, but many initiatives have helped decrease the amount of students who report binge drinking and partying on campus.
Buchanan said UW mandates all freshmen to take Alcohol Education, provides the campus with alternative late night programming and funds SafeRide for students to travel safer.
Buchanan said he wanted to continue with these efforts and keep students from high-risk drinking. “Pursuing these effective programs and serving alcohol at sporting events would send a mixed message to students and undermine the progress we have made,” he said.
The Wildcatter Suites and Cowboy Joe Club administered suites are leased to a local restaurant. The restaurant is allowed to sell beer and wine only during the first half, Buchanan said. He also said when businesses and UW programs lease their rooms, alcohol is allowed to be sold.
He said that when students use these suites, however, alcoholic beverages are not permitted.
Like during the high school football championships, for example.
“In recognition of UW’s successes, University of Wyoming is one of twelve universities in the nation that belong to the Learning Collaborative on High-Risk Drinking,” Buchanan said.
Buchanan is also a member of the College President’s Working Group of the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
He is responsible for helping with alcohol prevention, and related work on university campuses.
“We should all be proud of the strides made, but we must continue to be diligent,” Buchanan said. Buchanan said he believed selling alcoholic beverages during sporting events would not put students’ best interest in mind.
“As a result, alcohol sales at athletic events do not share my support,” he said.
Gimme a break. Of course, President Buchanan gets to sit up in the suites and have a beer…where I’m sure no one ever binge drinks. (insert sarcastic tone)
If, from his lofty perch, the president cannot see all the illegal drinking that occurs in the stands (students and alum alike), he ought to come down and check it out. Maybe he might change his tune if legal beverages could be sold. UW might even make a few bucks off it.
The only mixed message being sent is that those with money can do what they want and those that don’t have to follow the rules. The current policy does not discourage binge-drinking in any way, but it does prevent those who want to drink responsibly from doing so.