SGA President Jack Weber is trying to spark some changes in the university’s alcohol policy.
“I want to see if we can get a Good Samaritan policy started where, if your friend is intoxicated and you help them out, you are not liable for any punitive damages from Student Life,” Weber said.
The debate around campus surrounding the alcohol policy is nothing new. Some students believe the current policy is “outdated,” and others say, “You know what you signed up for when coming to Lipscomb.”
“Obviously, I think the rules were put in place for a reason,” said senior management major Ahmed Amaar.“ But, just like any policy or rule, I think that times change, and it’s always worth looking and reassessing to see if there are adjustments that need to be made.”
SGA can advise changes to the alcohol policy, but ultimately, the decision is up to the university administration or board of trustees.
SGA is trying to initiate a process whereby a letter of recommendation can be used to present ideas from the student body and SGA to the trustees, according to Weber.
“I would love to get something like that formally, so that we can make recommendations about the alcohol policy,” Weber said. “Not necessarily say ‘Let students drink whenever they want,’ but let’s have a conversation about it.”
Discussions about such changes are not without merit, according to Al Sturgeon, vice president of Student Life and dean of students.
“Oh, always a possibility,” Sturgeon said.“Every spring, we review all of the code, so that is something on my radar every year.
“I’m the SGA adviser, so I visit with Jack and the executive board regularly. So we will look at it of course.”
Any changes will be announced in the spring when codes are reviewed.
