Washington State University will join a trend among major universities nationally by updating its alcohol policy to limit the sale of alcoholic beverages at events associated with home football weekends.
Beginning this season, WSU will limit alcohol sales at pregame functions to beer and wine only. No alcoholic beverages will be served at Hollingberry Fieldhouse after the game begins. This includes halftime and postgame events. Food still will be sold at the fieldhouse before all games and following afternoon games.
University officials decided to modify the alcohol policy to address liability concerns and to help guarantee a family-friendly atmosphere at Cougar home football games.
“We think this is a responsible step toward keeping our fans safe and making Cougar football a fun event for everyone,” said Melvin Taylor, director of special projects and external relations for the Office of Business Affairs. “The culture around alcohol has changed, and we’re just falling in line with the rest of the world.”
Taylor said WSU would continue to enforce Washington state liquor laws, both at the fieldhouse and at various tailgating sites on campus. The goal of the policy is not to make arrests or issue tickets, university officials said, but to inform fans about the law and the university’s revised alcohol policy and to encourage fans to comply.
The Cougars’ first game in Pullman will be Sept. 20 against New Mexico.
WSU’s revised Alcohol and Drug Policy can be viewed at http://www.wsu.edu/police/alcohol-drug-policy.html.
