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Regents propose new policy regarding on-campus alcohol

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Summer Wildcat "I don't anticipate any changes in our behavior on this campus." Peter Likins UA President

The Arizona Board of Regents has taken the first step in making the sale of alcoholic beverages on campus an easier task.

The proposal - which regents gave preliminary approval to during their Flagstaff meeting earlier this month - would transfer the authority to allow alcohol sales from the regents to university presidents.

University of Arizona President Peter Likins, however, indicated that his policy on providing students with the opportunity to purchase alcoholic drinks would not be affected by regents' actions.

"I don't anticipate any changes in our behavior on this campus," Likins said.

The movement to eliminate the regents from the process began at Arizona State University. Officials from ASU have had the regents' permission to sell beer until the fourth quarter at Sun Devil Stadium - the home of the National Football League's Arizona Cardinals.

Likins said he will not allow a similar policy to be implemented at Arizona Stadium.

"The two just don't mix - alcohol and fan behavior," he said.

The consumption of alcoholic drinks can lead to abusive and dangerous behavior, Likins said.

"I've done everything I can to minimize the sale of alcohol on campus," he said.

In other business

Regents also approved a measure that would expand the number of military personnel eligible for Arizona residency.

If passed at their meeting in Tempe next month, the new policy would allow military members to declare Arizona as their home, even if they have never set foot in the state.

Then, after paying state taxes for at least 12 months, they would be able to pay the less-expensive in-state tuition rate. For the current academic year, tuition for in-state students is $2,264, while non-Arizona residents will pay $9,416.

Donald Benjamin, regents assistant for academic and student affairs, said the Board is taking this action in order to comply with some changes made by the Arizona state Legislature in May.

"The Legislature has mandated and the Board agrees that (military personnel) ought to be eligible for in-state tuition because they're Arizona taxpayers," Benjamin said.

The new policy would also expand the military classification to include members of the National Guard and military reserve.

The UA also asked the regents for an extra $3 million for renovations being done to the Main Library and Steward Observatory. The extra funding will address several needs that were identified after the initial budget was set at $10.4 million for the library and $1.6 million for the observatory.