By Heather Perry, ‘13
This article first appeared in The Mooring Mast.
PLU is a dry campus, but that doesn’t mean all areas affiliated with it prohibit alcohol.
The alcohol policy in the student handbook details exceptions to the ban on alcohol: the Garfield Commons, Gonyea House, University House, a Resident Director’s university housing and on-campus events “for the purpose of approved worship.”
“It [the alcohol policy] doesn’t ban people from drinking who are of legal age,” said Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students Laura Majovski. “It’s helping people to use legal rights responsibly in ways that do not endanger themselves or anyone else.”
Majovski said that if students choose to drink, they should really think carefully about how much they’re drinking and what they do when they’re drinking.
“If you see someone who has exceeded their consumption of alcohol in a healthy state, just please intervene,” Majovski said, adding there are a number of things associated with intoxication that create problems in peoples’ lives, health risks and safety problems.
In addition to the alcohol policy, Majovski said PLU has a publicity and solicitation policy in order to “create a certain culture.”
“We want them [students] to be safe and legal and neighborly,” Majovski said.
This policy prevents university-affiliated groups from advertising or promoting alcohol, guns, gambling and credit cards. It specifically prohibits the advertising, publicity and/or sponsorship of any establishment limited to those 21 years old and older.
Majovski said they’re “trying to strike a balance” in regards to businesses, such as Farelli’s, which is more of a restaurant.
208 Garfield serves as ‘outreach to the community,’ profit adds to tuition assistance programs
Nestled between Farelli’s and Garfield Book Company in the Garfield Commons is PLU-owned and student-staffed 208 Garfield, an off-campus eatery operated by Dining and Culinary Services.
208 Garfield Leads Janna Lukens and Addam Peebles said 208 Garfield offers a comfortable environment along with quality food and beverages at an affordable price. It’s also an “outreach to the community,” Lukens said.
“One role of 208 is to provide traffic to the bookstore,” said Vice President of Finance and Operations Sheri Tonn. “A second is to provide a quality, inexpensive outlet on Garfield. Third is that it should return some net income to the university.”
Since 208 Garfield is owned by PLU, and a non-profit establishment, Lukens said any profit goes to tuition assistance programs.
Lukens said PLU purchased the Forza franchise that adjoined Garfield Book Company in August 2010. Just before its acquisition, Tonn said Forza applied for a liquor permit.
“Since it was in leased space and wine and beer matched the food plans, it was decided that PLU would go ahead and get a liquor license,” Tonn said.
Lukens said they introduced beer and wine on tap in addition to a small evening bar menu in November 2010.
208 Garfield accepts Lutebucks, but – similar to Farelli’s – does not accept them for alcohol.
“Our primary focus is the food, and has been from the get-go,” Peebles said, adding they offer beer and wine as a compliment to the food.
“208 Garfield strives to be a community gathering space,” Director of Dining and Culinary Services Erin McGinnis said. “The evening menu is also designed to bring people together at a time of day when coffee sales dwindle.”
Lukens said they split ways with Forza Feb. 1 and joined forces with Stumptown coffee. They then received their retail license in May.
Lukens said they also aim to educate students with wine and beer tastings to “show them a responsible appreciation for beer and wine rather than, ‘Let’s just drink until we get sloshed.’” Peebles said they also educate on how beer and wine relate to food.
Private residences an exception to the alcohol policy
The Gonyea House is the private residence of the president of the university and his or her family, but is also used for certain PLU events. Although PLU owns the property, President Loren Anderson said it is considered off campus.
“Living there [Gonyea House] is an expected part of the president’s job,” Anderson said. He added that alcohol has been allowed at the Gonyea House since it became university property.
PLU acquired the 3,800 square foot home in 1971, according to the 2006 PLU Master Plan.
Majovski said the Gonyea House “is an exception to the [alcohol] policy.”
University Scholars Association operates University House, not PLU
The University House, formerly the Faculty House, has a “symbiotic relationship” with PLU, said Clinical Instructor of Theatre Henry Loughman. Loughman is the president of the board of directors of the University Scholars Association, the non-profit organization that owns and maintains the house.
The University House is therefore not included in any PLU policies, including the alcohol policy, since the house is off campus and privately owned, Majovski said. However, PLU does use the house as a meeting space occasionally and the Department of Human Resources collects dues from the members.
The University Scholars Association began in 1972, the same year the non-profit acquired the house, and they have allowed alcohol since its inception. The University Scholars Association purchases “beverages of varying degrees,” but Loughman said they do not sell alcohol.
“We do have a countertop,” Loughman said. “We do have a club basement downstairs and on Friday evenings we have a social hour.”
The University Scholars Association is a member-only association for full-time faculty and staff members at PLU.
“It’s a way for us to get together – faculty and staff – away from students so we can just socialize,” Loughman said. “Many of these people that I see over there at the University House I don’t see on a regular basis. The only time I get to meet and mingle with those people are during University Scholars Association events.”
The non-profit changed its name to the University House when they decided to allow PLU staff members to join.
Loughman said they’re currently in the process of changing the sign.
Categories: Other, Student Life
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