The California State University system issued an order that prohibits all 23 campuses from selling alcoholic beverages at any intercollegiate athletic events held at university-owned or -operated facilities. The new policy also limits advertising of beer and wine at all campuses. 

Serving alcoholic beverages at intercollegiate athletic events, said CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed, “is contrary to [CSU’s] systemwide alcohol policy and to its purpose of promoting a safe and healthy learning environment for all members of the university community."

Fresno State is among campuses with contractual agreements that include sale of alcoholic beverages. Those contracts will be honored, but cannot be renewed under terms of the new policy. The ban also does not apply to Fresno State athletic events at the Save Mark Center, which is not owned or operated by the university.

Athletics Director Thomas Boeh told The Fresno Bee that the university will meet with its beverage concessionaire to determine whether alcohol sales will be banned at Fresno State football, baseball and softball games before the contract expires at the end of the 2007-2008 school year.

"I believe this policy is the logical and appropriate next step for the CSU to take," said Fresno State President John Welty, who chairs the CSU Alcohol Policies and Prevention Programs Committee. "This policy is consistent with the purposes of our system alcohol policy and with the efforts of the National Collegiate Athletic Association to reduce the emphasis on alcohol at intercollegiate athletic events."

In 2001, the CSU Board of Trustees adopted a comprehensive policy to curb student alcohol abuse, the first such systemwide policy among the nation’s universities.

For more Fresno State news, click on the following links:

• CSU Alcohol Policy