Sage Restaurant on campus currently serves beer and wine, but Cal Poly is also considering adding a pub as part of a broader review of the university’s alcohol policy.
Sean McMinn and Sara Natividad
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Midterms leaving you thirsty?
Cal Poly officials, including University President Jeffrey Armstrong and Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) President Jason Colombini, are considering the possibility of opening a pub on campus, Colombini said Monday.
Despite Cal Poly’s label as a traditionally “dry” campus that largely prohibits alcohol, Colombini said he is planning to ask students in a campus-wide survey this quarter about whether they would be interested in opening an alcoholic venue on campus.
“If students say they support that … then that would be something we push for — to get a clear definition of whether or not we’re a dry campus,” he said.
Colombini said he’s discussed the issue with Armstrong and Vice President of Finance and Administration Stan Nosek, who were both interested in the idea.
The administration has been considering having a conference center or an event center on campus, Nosek said, and adding a pub or restaurant that served alcohol could benefit the project.
“We will be looking at the campus’ alcohol policy this year to review, update and talk about what changes might be appropriate in a new policy,” Nosek said.
It is unclear at this point if changes to the alcohol policy would boost Cal Poly revenue.
“We would have to look at the financial aspects during the review process because we wouldn’t want to subsidize it with campus resources,” he said. “It would have to at least hold its own financially.”
University spokesperson Matt Lazier confirmed Armstrong also talked with Colombini about the idea, but he said Armstrong will wait until ASI collects data about students’ interest in the project before making any move forward on it.
Sage Restaurant, which is on campus across from the Christopher Cohan Performing Arts Center, serves beer and wine during dinner after 5 p.m.
Had to double check that today isn’t april fools…
“It is unclear at this point if changes to the alcohol policy would boost Cal Poly revenue.” I think the answer is pretty clear…
“Sage Restaurant, which is on campus across from the Christopher Cohan Performing Arts Center, serves beer and wine during dinner after 5 p.m.” They do????
Obviously it would boost revenues for the university. But we all know the money wouldn’t be going towards academics. If they want an event center or conference center, they can still serve alcohol or have an on-site bar for when events are happening but having one open all the time doesn’t sound necessary.
I also question whether it would it put the university at risk for liability if anything were to happen to a student if they drank here beforehand. I know lots of other universities have on-campus bars and pubs, so I’d be interested in how they handle it. Also, with an alcohol serving venue on campus, I can see it affecting students’ academics.
Lastly, with the amount of pedestrians crossing streets and bikers around campus…having students drive to wherever after being at the bar sounds like an accident waiting to happen.
To me I can see a lot more negatives than positives than anything. There have already been alcohol related deaths the past few years without an alcohol serving venue on campus. Again, I’m all in support of an event center or conference center with a bar, but not a separate bar from that.