Defining IU's 'dry campus'

Many people would consider IU to be a dry campus, meaning alcohol is prohibited on University grounds. Still, many events held in the Indiana Memorial Union and the School of Fine Arts galleries include the sale or distribution of wine or beer. Sometimes IU faculty members even host these events.\nThis would appear to be an example of University hypocrisy. However, it isn't, because IU is actually not a dry campus.\n"It's an established myth," said Dean of Students Richard McKaig.\nMany students have misconceptions about IU's alcohol policy, he said. McKaig said he was uncertain where this confusion originated.\n"It's so ingrained in the culture around here," McKaig said. "Students here use that term, but the policy is not a 'dry' policy."\nMcKaig joked that maybe it was because of the T-shirts that say "Dry Campus ... My Ass."\nMcKaig said IU is a dry campus only according to federal standards because there isn't a bar in the IMU, but that doesn't mean alcohol is banned from campus altogether.\nAlthough alcohol is banned from most dorms, it is permitted for students over 21 in campus apartments, Eigenmann and Willkie Quad.\nAt certain IU functions held on campus, students over 21 can purchase alcohol. The SoFA gallery often has a cash bar set up for those who want a beer while observing student art. \nSophomore Megan Downey has attended many SOFA gallery showings, and she said the open presence of alcohol in an IU facility has brought questions to her mind. \n"I've always been kind of confused about it," Downey said.\nDowney said she doesn't drink, but said she has yet to observe any ill effects of the presence of alcohol at art showings.\n"I've never seen anybody get incredibly wasted at the SOFA gallery," she said.\nThe IMU provides facilities where students and faculty may use to host events. The IMU provides catering for some events, and alcohol such as wine is sometimes included in the beverages served. \nIMU Associate Director Thomas Simmons said they have hired Sodexho Campus Services to take care of the managerial aspects of catering. Sodexho has the license that allows IMU staff to provide alcoholic beverages in accordance with Indiana state law.\nThe IMU staff, which includes students, must go through alcohol training. Those staff members that obtain a bartending license are able to serve alcohol at IMU events. Simmons said alcohol is served at private affairs hosted by faculty or organizations with members over 21. \n"We seldom ever have alcohol-related incidents," Simmons said. "We attract a slightly different crowd here..." \nSome students wonder why alcohol is acceptable at some events and not others. \nWIUS music director Lucy Robinson, a junior, said alcohol is prohibited from live shows held at the station. Robinson said that the WIUS staff often is placed in an unwanted position in terms of enforcing this rule.\n"At the station you can't have alcohol, even if you're 21. We could get our student organization status revoked," Robinson said. "We have to police the kids. This makes us look like their parents, it makes us look stupid." \nSenior Daniel Sledge said he has attended many IMU events where alcohol was present and argued the allowance and prohibition of alcohol in differing venues makes sense.\n"It's indicative of the fact that the policy is aimed at underage students, not everybody," Sledge said. "The fact that the people who are involved (in IMU events) make alcohol a necessary component of it."\n-- Contact staff writer James E. Klaunig Jr. at jklaunig@indiana.edu.