Because of inconsistency with existing board policy prohibiting alcohol on campus, students reacted strongly to the June 25, 1987, announcement that liquor would be allowed in the 42 skyboxes under construction. To the argument that the skyboxes represented a different legal arrangement because they would be leased by those using them, the students responded that fraternities leased their houses, sororities leased rooms in the Panhellenic Building, and students living in residence halls leased their rooms. Faculty joined the students in asserting a basic inconsistency, and local media took up the controversy. The Student Government Association approved three bills expressing opposition to allowing liquor in the skyboxes and outlined a plan for prompting a review of the board’s alcohol policy. They were opposed to the way the decision had been made and opposed to the limited selection of who can consume alcohol on campus. The SGA further stated that the decision was “hypocritical and inconsistent with UT policy.” The students also passed a bill requesting that the central administration provide and announce publicly an alcohol policy for students and employees in the skyboxes. On July 28 UT system officials reversed themselves and held that there would be no alcohol allowed in the skyboxes. General Counsel Beauchamp Brogan said in the Daily Beacon, “We did not think there would be as much negative reaction as came up. I can understand why students got as upset as they did. I guess we just made a mistake.”
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