94% support for Alcohol Policy withdrawal at UL
94% of students who voted in yesterday’s referendum on whether or not to withdraw with the Alcohol Policy Agreement at the University of Limerick have voted in favour of withdrawing.
As part of the policy, sponsorship of clubs and societies by alcohol companies was ended, and restrictions were put on the promotion of alcoholic products at the university’s bars.
In exchange for this, the University authorities promised to finance the affected clubs and societies to the tune of €60,000 a year as well as providing an alcohol free bar on campus. However, student representatives claim that the UL authorities have failed to meet their end of the bargain.
From ULSU statement
Now, students in UL are to negotiate with the University for completion of three of the promises outlined in the Policy: €60,000 per annum for Clubs and Societies to replace lost alcohol related sponsorship; a late night non-alcohol venue, and; Wednesday afternoons free in order to foster participation in extra-curricular activities. None of these promises have been acted upon, five years into the Policy’s implementation.
If there is no progress before next November, the Students’ Union will fully withdraw from the Campus Alcohol Policy. If this occurs, the Students’ Union will commit to implementing its own responsible drinking strategy for students.