Perceived threats to off-campus keg stands have passed after amended revisions to UF's Student Conduct and Honor codes were approved by the Board of Trustees in a 15-minute conference call Wednesday.
The board, UF's highest governing body, passed the once-controversial revisions unanimously and without debate.
The vote caps an ordeal that spanned almost two months and saw heated exchanges on the floor of UF's Student Senate and a student petition against the revisions.
The uproar primarily revolved around two clauses that ban common-source containers of alcohol, such as kegs, and activities that encourage excessive, rapid consumption of alcohol, such as drinking games.
Some students were concerned the bans were worded to apply to off-campus situations, such as house parties hosted by UF students.
According to the revised codes, the bans apply "on campus, in the housing of any University of Florida organization or group, or in connection with a University activity."
Patricia Telles-Irvin, UF's vice president for Student Affairs, said in an interview that the language in the original version of the revisions was unclear about this and said it was one of the first things she changed.
However, Telles-Irvin said UF never intended to punish students of legal age who choose to drink in their homes off campus.
"Your private home is your private home," she said.
Telles-Irvin said the new codes passed Wednesday are much better than the original codes proposed in late July.
A big reason they are better, she said, is the amount of student input that went into modifying them.
She said feedback on the new codes was gathered from the extended comment period, which, according to UF records, was stretched from the typical 14 days to 44 days.
Although no one requested a student forum, she said she decided to hold one anyway in August because she recognized the importance and contentiousness of the issue.
Before the board voted on Monday, she singled out one student in particular for his work on the new codes: Student Body President Kevin Reilly.
"This has not been an easy process, and he has taken a few hits," she said.
Reilly said in a phone interview that much of the criticism he has received has been the result of some confusion.
He said when members of the Orange and Blue Party criticized him for being in favor of the new codes even before some of the more questionable clauses had been amended, they were probably referring to a different version of the codes, which he said were constantly evolving.
Orange and Blue Party President Sam Miorelli said he disagrees with Reilly's characterization of his party's criticism and said his party knew what was going on.
"I think that this is a very disingenuous and, in fact, insulting suggestion that those of us who disagreed with these regulations were just poor, confused dullards," Miorelli said.
Although they may disagree on the process that led to the version passed by the board, both Reilly and Miorelli said they are satisfied with the final product.
