WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2008 News WWW.KANSAN.COM THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
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ALCOHOL
Provost rejects proposal to sell beer at Jaybowl
BY DEEPA SAMPAT
dsampat@kansan.com
Jaybowl patrons will not be able to sip a beer while bowling, despite a proposal passed by the Memorial Union Corporation Board last semester.
The proposal for cereal malt beverage sales in the Jaybowl was recently rejected by Provost Richard Lariviere.
Trent Overbey, assistant recreation coordinator for Kansas Memorial Unions, helps LeeAnn Shaw and her son Mason, 3, at Jaybowl on Tuesday afternoon.
Mindy Ricketts/KANSAN
"Given the social issues regarding alcohol and the serious nature of alcohol abuse among college students, it is not in the University's best interest to resume the sales of alcohol in the Kansas Union," Lariviere said in a brief memo to the board.
surprised by the Provost's decision but was happy to hear a final decision. She said the proposal was a way to show students they could drink socially without getting intoxicated.
Aly Rodee, member of the board and Wichita senior, said she wasn't
"Drinking isn't a horrible thing," Rodee said. "You can drink one or two beers and be responsible. I guess he didn't see it that way."
The proposal would have allowed students at least 21 years old to purchase 3.2 percent alcohol beer, which is a lower alcohol content beer than sold in liquor stores. Students would have been limited to two beers. Jaybowl employees would have scanned students' IDs and given those at least 21 years old a wristband to prevent underage drinking.
Lariviere carefully looked at the proposal and considered several factors in his decision.
"He thought the proposal was well prepared and thoughtful," Bretz said. "He acknowledged they looked at the issue in great detail."
Lynn Bretz, director of University communications, said Provost
Bretz said in making his decision, the Provost also took into account that the Jaybowl was open to high school, middle school and grade school students. Also, a survey conducted by David Mucci, director of KU Memorial Unions, found that only four of the Big 12 schools served alcohol.
Bill Walberg, member of the board and El Dorado Hills, Calif., senior, said he was initially disappointed with the Provost's decision, but could understand why he rejected the proposal.
"It's a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation," he said.
The board will discuss the
Provost's decision at their Aug. 23 meeting.
Edited by Mandy Earles