Incoming University of Colorado president Hank Brown is contemplating a ban on using taxpayer or tuition money to buy alcohol for school functions.
Brown said he will make the final decision when he officially takes the university’s top job Aug. 1.
But he has discussed with CU officials the possibility of using only CU Foundation money from private donations for any alcohol purchases.
“My sense is it is probably more appropriate that any funding (for alcohol) come from money donated for that purpose,” Brown said Tuesday. “In my own mind, it is appropriate to be more cautious with taxpayer money.”
CU, which is known as one of the country’s top party schools, has repeatedly purchased alcohol with state money for various occasions. Brown said problems with alcohol on campus contributed to his thinking about a ban.
Between 2000 and 2004, CU officials spent $466,000 on alcohol, with $149,700 of that coming from state general-fund dollars and tuition and fees, said CU spokeswoman Michele McKinney. The rest of the money was from gifts, interest earnings, CU facilities that make a profit and other sources. CU officials said the expenditures are allowed under current policies but they are open to changes.
“We knew Hank Brown has a lot of positive ideas for change …,” McKinney said. “We look forward to implementing new policies that reflect his priorities for the university.”
McKinney also said outgoing president Betsy Hoffman had discussed a similar policy change with CU’s legal counsel but would not propose a new policy before she leaves office.
State fiscal rules prohibit the purchase of alcohol while state employees are traveling, but CU officials have a policy for official functions that allows the purchase of alcohol, saying only that expenditures should be kept to a minimum.
Several regents said they would support a policy to ban alcohol purchases with CU money.
“I’m fully supportive of president Brown’s proposal to prohibit the use of any state dollars on alcohol,” Regent Michael Carrigan said.
Regent Pat Hayes said it is not too big a deal to her if a university official expenses one glass of wine, but without a strict rule, some people could abuse the system. A lot of it comes down to public perception, she said.
“Because of the scrutiny we’ve been under in the last 18 months, I think it’s just a cleaner practice for alcohol not to be included,” she said. “We don’t want people to think we’re using their money for alcohol.”
Foundation president Michael Byram said he would support a ban on alcohol purchases with state money. But Byram said he would have to consult with the foundation board to decide where the money would come from. Most likely, alcohol would be purchased with interest on foundation investments.
Byram also said that having liquor at functions is not key to his ability to raise money.
Staff writer Arthur Kane can be reached at 303-820-1626 or akane@denverpost.com.
