News Brief: Student petitions Genshaft to change alcohol policy
Published: Thursday, September 18, 2008
Updated: Thursday, September 18, 2008 00:09
A former Student Government staffer is asking President Judy Genshaft to reconsider a Sept. 2 decision that prohibits daytime alcohol sales on campus.
Senior business major James Callihan sent Genshaft an e-mail Wednesday that requested she allow patrons of Beef ‘O' Brady's to buy beer and wine during lunch and afternoon hours.
Callihan wrote that he also started a Facebook petition group protesting Genshaft's move last week, which has about 1,860 members.
USF spokesman Michael Hoad said Genshaft is unlikely to reconsider her decision, and that the Facebook group might not sway the President, either.
"I don't think that's going to have much difference in a drug-and-alcohol-free workplace policy," he said.
Just two weeks after the long-awaited sports bar opened in the new Marshall Student Center, Genshaft restricted alcohol sales to after 6 p.m. to enforce the University policy that prohibits working or attending class under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Hoad said the University overlooked this detail when planning the center.
For a more in-depth look at Genshaft's decision, check out Monday's Oracle.
9 comments
James Callihan
Considering I am the one who started all of this, I think I should tell everyone the true root of the issue. There are a couple that come to mind:First and foremost the more money Beef's make the less student fee's will go towards the Marshal Center and more towards clubs. 750K in student fees went to the MC this year.College is more than just a work place and learning environment. It is a community. People live here. USF will NEVER get it. Why are collges like UCF, FSU, and UF more sought after than USF...because they offer much better student life than USF.College is also supposed to be a place where student learn more than what is in a bunch of books. They learn about life, responsibility, balance, friends, etc. It will be difficult to learn as much in a sheltered environment.Finally I am not buying this crap about the policy. If it were that important to create a drug and alcohol free workplace than there needs to be ZERO alcohol at ALL events to include Basketball Games as it is a place of business for donors, the Claw which is on campus and serves alcohol at all times of the day, and of course Aramark Catering Services as I am sure there are times when they serve alcohol prior to 6pm.Call it what it is! I believe that the true root of the problem is that the University is scared to flex its muscle and fire professors and other staff who do not follow policy. I am sure they would have no problem getting rid of a student or two, or 20 for that matter. I think they are trying to avoid of the repercussions of a tenured professor loosing their job and all the while blaming it on students.
The Rear Admiral
...do I?
Your name
and admiral: its DOCTOR Genshaft not Ms. I may not like her - but you gotta give her props where its due.
Alum
Charles
I think you may have misunderstood me. its not about whether or not the Beefs can serve drinks - but that is a symptom of a larger issue. I will not be donating money to the university again until genshaft is gone because her administration constantly makes "mistakes" that are costly and proves that although she has a phd, she is not a thinker. The student center has been under construction for a year and the plans for the new center have been in the works since the late 90s. She was aware of the project every step of the way. Beefs is a business that made a financial decision based on agreements with the university - including when they would be able to sell certain items-- and she is telling them (and the students) that they "forgot" they couldn't sell drinks? I mean what kind of show are these people running? This coupled with all the lawsuits against the university, the mismanagement of funds and the fact that she accepted a raise last year knowing full well that FL is screwing their universities financially - just makes me think she's not that bright. It is clear that she is not a good leader.
I think you may have misunderstood me. its not about whether or not the Beefs can serve drinks - but that is a symptom of a larger issue. I will not be donating money to the university again until genshaft is gone because her administration constantly makes "mistakes" that are costly and proves that although she has a phd, she is not a thinker. The student center has been under construction for a year and the plans for the new center have been in the works since the late 90s. She was aware of the project every step of the way. Beefs is a business that made a financial decision based on agreements with the university - including when they would be able to sell certain items-- and she is telling them (and the students) that they "forgot" they couldn't sell drinks? I mean what kind of show are these people running? This coupled with all the lawsuits against the university, the mismanagement of funds and the fact that she accepted a raise last year knowing full well that FL is screwing their universities financially - just makes me think she's not that bright. It is clear that she is not a good leader.
Owen
Look how USF Student act during Football games. A bunch of drunken amateurs. This is a University, not a amusements park, we are here for an education. If some of you are able to get out in the real world and get a real job do you really think they will have a bar in your office. Grow up folks High school is over
Charles
Just deal with it and shut up. Go get a drink off campus. If you don't want to support your alma mater for not allowing alcohol, you're incredibly boneheaded.
John Doe
"USF spokesman Michael Hoad said Genshaft is unlikely to reconsider her decision, and that the Facebook group might not sway the President, either."Which is why the good old fashioned protests of the 60's need to make a resurgence on our campus. I am tired of this Judy G. not listening when students petition for change.No matter it be about the EVIL Student Affairs "woman" or about drinking, she just turns a blind eye. All Judy G. is good for is raising money for research. Surely we can find a non-presidential position where she can "be all she can be" there and not refuse to listen to students.
Alumni
I am an alumni and read about this in the st pete times today. for the first time in a LONG time I am embarrassed for President Genshaft, et al. I can not believe this and am flabbergasted that not only did she get a raise this year but she gets a raise while she consistently makes mistakes such as this one. usf admin seem to be able to keep their jobs only because other faculty and administrators are able to give usf a good name through grants and research. i am really starting to think she is as worthless as everyone says she is. As an alum i was a supporter but this is making me wonder what kind of show these people are running... So glad I didn't have to deal with this freakshow when i was at usf. we had a bar on campus. it wasn't a big deal and to my knowledge the st pete campus has had one for a long time. these people are nuts. i am a yearly donor but will not be "giving back" anytime soon if this is where my $$$ is going.
The Rear Admiral
"I don’t think that’s going to have much difference in a drug-and-alcohol-free workplace policy"
...and neither does restricting alcohol sales to 6pm and later. If people are going to come to school drunk, they'll find a way, regardless of when Beef's sells beer. Has Ms. Genshaft noticed that other schools, such as UF, have bars on campus that serve beer during the day without negative effects? The president of UF is also against irresponsible consumption of alcohol, BUT has taken a more reasonable route for deterring it. For example, on every student's 21st birthday, an e-mail is sent to that student for a free movie and free coldstone ice cream but only usable only during the night of his or her birthday (to deter binge drinking). Also, the president banned advertising of alcoholic beverages at concerts and performances on campus and makes freshman take alcohol quizzes when they first enroll. The point is, there are other, more effective ways to do this, Ms. Genshaft.
...and neither does restricting alcohol sales to 6pm and later. If people are going to come to school drunk, they'll find a way, regardless of when Beef's sells beer. Has Ms. Genshaft noticed that other schools, such as UF, have bars on campus that serve beer during the day without negative effects? The president of UF is also against irresponsible consumption of alcohol, BUT has taken a more reasonable route for deterring it. For example, on every student's 21st birthday, an e-mail is sent to that student for a free movie and free coldstone ice cream but only usable only during the night of his or her birthday (to deter binge drinking). Also, the president banned advertising of alcoholic beverages at concerts and performances on campus and makes freshman take alcohol quizzes when they first enroll. The point is, there are other, more effective ways to do this, Ms. Genshaft.
is a member of the 
