By Rick Lindfors

Audrey Roberts reports

There is a common misconception that the University of Oregon is alcohol free. The campus has never been completely dry. Alcohol is served at catered events. Before doing so, all groups, departments or organizations must apply for a permit.

There have been mixed responses to having more access to alcoholic beverages on campus. At the Buzz cafe in the EMU, alcohol is served daily. Only three drinks are allowed per customer.

“It started in the last year or so when they started with just Thursday nights and it was just in the evening and it was just meant to be a few hours just to try and get students, faculty and staff that were of age into that space where it’s a safe environment,” UO Director of Substance Abuse Prevention Jennifer Summers says. “And then it’s an option to then go through and have a low risk situation. It’s a safe environment to then be able to have beer or wine. It’s now expanded to where then it’s several nights of the week. It still won’t go late into the evening so there’s a time cap on when it starts.”

Currently, The Buzz offers wine and beer from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays for faculty, students and community members.

“The school follows state, federal, local law. Those that are choosing to go and break that law then will be held accountable. I think that whether it’s The Buzz, whether it is Autzen, whether it is any other venue, they’re still going to be held responsible for those illegal actions,” Summers says.