Students at The University of Memphis will no longer have to sneak to drink alcohol. No, don’t get too excited, The U of M hasn’t magically transformed into a wet campus. However, students might be able to engage in a bit of social drinking at the Wilson School of Hospitality and Resort Management, at tonight’s NIT basketball game at the Pyramid, or at a Tiger baseball game at Auto Zone Park.
The Tennessee Board of Regents will hold a meeting over the next few days to discuss the subject of serving alcoholic cocktails on campus. The board will present the topic to the finance committee today.
“The current policy is not to serve alcohol on campus,” said Mary Morgan, Board of Regents spokeswoman. “We are voting to make an exception for The University of Memphis.”
This proposed policy change only pertains to The U of M hotel and does not mean the entire campus will be affected. The hotel will be one of only a select number of hospitality schools in the country that provide students with hands-on experience in hotel management. The degree program will operate within the Fogelman College of Business.
According to Morgan, serving alcohol in the hotel is important to the academic program to learn all aspects of hospitality.
“Sales from alcohol often represent a substantial portion of the profit margin, and it’s hard for hotels to make it without it,” Morgan said. “Students in hospitality management will need to know how to manage, order and purchase alcohol as well as supervise bartenders in order to pursue their degree.”
Morgan said the selling of alcohol will also aid The U of M in receiving revenue to pay for hotel production costs.
It should be noted that the hotel is not the new “campus nightclub.” Students shouldn’t expect to spend drunken nights among their closest friends in the confines of the hotel.
“The hotel is not intended to be a hangout for students,” Morgan said. “It is very low-key.”
However, the fun doesn’t stop there. Fans of certain athletic events, such as tonight’s matchup between the Tigers basketball team and UNC-Greensboro at 7 p.m., will be able to purchase beer.
“The NIT and Auto Zone Park made the decision to sell beer at the games,” said R.C. Johnson, athletic director at The U of M. “It is their operation and we are the guests.
“Our policy has not changed. If it were our event, then we wouldn’t sell beer.”
With The U of M’s new hotel selling alcohol and the NIT and Auto Zone Park selling as well, let’s just say students now have no reason to complain.
