Barton Community College Trustees voted 3-2 Monday to change the campus-wide “no-alcohol” policy. Policy 1220 allows the BCC Foundation, or its designee, to serve beer or wine in the Shafer Gallery at special events.
Board Chairman Mike Johnson said he expects the policy will be used sparingly. “We’re talking a couple of events a year.”
Johnson, with trustees Mike Minton and John Moshier, voted for Policy 1220, while Don Learned and Leonard Bunselmeyer voted nay. Trustee Brett Middleton was not present.
The board approved the policy drafted by Barton President Dr. Carl Heilman. Johnson said specific wording could be fine-tuned later, and Heilman said he would include a suggestion Johnson made Monday, stating no taxpayer money will be used to buy the alcoholic beverages.
“I appreciate the input of all of the trustees,” Johnson said. “We knew it would not be unanimous. ... I think as we discussed at the study session, this is going to come down to your personal beliefs.”
Learned said he was pleased that the policy limits special events with alcoholic beverages to the Shafer Gallery. Exceptions would require prior approval from the trustees. But most people he talked to were concerned about the message that will be sent to students.
Bunselmeyer raised issues with specific points in the policy, wondering how the college would enforce rules such as “At all events where alcoholic beverages are served, an effective method of determining which guests may legally consume alcohol shall be used.” or “No alcoholic beverage may be carried to areas outside of the designated area.”
Heilman said the board votes on policies, and it’s up to the administration to determine the procedure, although he would let the board know what procedures are adopted.
Other items in the policy: No one under the age of 21, or without proper identification, be served or be allowed to possess or consume alcoholic beverages at any time on the Barton Community College campus. No alcoholic beverages shall be served after midnight. Non-alcoholic beverages and some type of food shall also be offered to guests at events with alcoholic beverages.
“It’s true that you worry about the image and the message it would send to students,” Moshier said. But he said the Foundation Board had presented the case for mature drinking at events with adult donors. “The policy is pretty tight,” he said.
Minton said adults often attend events of this type when held off-campus, and drink responsibly. “I don’t see why we would not allow it.”
Foundation Board member Dee Holman said the policy would enhance some of the fundraisers.
“I don’t think we’ll have to worry about students crashing the party,” Holman said. “These are donors. I think it’s a wonderful opportunity for the college to showcase itself. ... I think all of your concerns are legitimate, but I think they have been addressed.”
In other business Monday, the board: Met in executive session for 25 minutes to discuss personnel matters; approved changes to the Medical Coding and Medical Assistant programs, as required by a statewide alignment of curricula; and approved five new employees for the Barton County campus and one request of early release from a contract. Hired were Marcia Dietz, secretary and data specialist for BCUB and Student Support Services; Judy Jacobs, director of testing, Advisement and Career Services; Michelle Kaiser, assistant dean of Information Services; Susan Keeler, test proctor, Adult Education; and Ashlie Thomas, secretary, Emergency Medical Services. Shanna Legleiter, instructor and coordinator of Business Administrative Technology and Medical Administrative Technology, was released from her contract, effective Dec. 13.
BCC trustees vote 3-2 to change alcohol policy