Co-ops ban use of funds for alcohol

The Inter-Cooperative Council passed a new policy last night prohibiting ICC funds from being used for purchasing alcohol.

"No co-op funds are to be used for purchasing alcohol," said Brian Nagorsky, a Business graduate student and the author of the proposal and director of financial services for the ICC.

Previously, there had been no written statement regarding the purchase of alcohol with ICC funds.

The policy, which was passed by consensus by the ICC board, was designed to ensure liability among co-op members.

"It's all about risk management," said Black Elk House President Zaza Aziz, an LSA junior. "There's a huge amount of risk liability without it."

Nagorsky said he expects many co-op members will support the new policy.

"It's a fairly straightforward thing," Nagorsky. "It's really more up to members to do what they have to do and obey the laws."

Amy Clark, director of members services for ICC, said the policy was designed to avoid future problems.

"Other co-ops have had problems, fraternities have had problems. We thought we'd be pro-active," Clark said.

Co-op members will be allowed to have alcohol in the house, as long as they don't serve it to minors.

"The problem is that most of the people in the houses are under 21," Clark said.

The policy will not prevent alcohol from being served at parties, Aziz said.

"It doesn't mean that there won't be alcohol at parties," Aziz said. "It just means that it will be done in a more safe way."

Some co-op members said the policy will not prevent under-age drinking.

"If people want to drink, they can drink on their own," said Linder House resident Ron Liu, an Engineering graduate student. "There's nothing the ICC can do about that."

Liu also said that house members often use their own money to buy alcohol for parties, rather than ICC money.

"We don't consume a whole lot of alcohol at our house," said Liu. "Maybe it's just a matter of principle."

04-21-98