Patricia Telles-Irvin, vice president for student affairs, addressed members of the Student Senate on Tuesday concerning revisions to the Student Conduct Code.
Following a Thursday forum with about 40 students, Telles-Irvin told senators about some changes made to the code to clarify what defines a university activity and under what circumstances UF administration intends on prosecuting those who violate the revised codes.
Telles-Irvin assured senators that UF administrators would not get involved with off-campus events unless a serious crime resulted from or involved open-container violations.
The regulations ban "common source containers," such as kegs, mini kegs and beer balls at university activities and programs, which include philanthropies, retreats and social events. They also prohibit activities such as drinking games, keg tipping and alcohol luges.
"The issue really has to do with kegs, trashcans and tubs," she said. "We are not talking about bottles."
The Board of Trustees, UF's highest governing body, will not be voting on the regulations Thursday as originally planned, but there will be a discussion in the Educational Policy and Strategy Committee meeting.
Telles-Irvin could not stay to answer questions, but senators voiced their concerns on the issue throughout the evening.
Sen. Heshan "Grasshopper" Illangkoon, who represents graduate students, said it is "preposterous" to change the code without students voting on it.
Some senators asked that the policy be more clearly worded.
They have to "make it clear that it is completely legal for 21-year-olds to drink alcohol in whatever legal quantities there are," said Sen. Benjamin Dictor, who represents the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Senators were urged to attend Thursday's trustees committee meeting, which will be at Emerson Alumni Hall at 3:45 p.m.
"I don't see how, as a body, we can sit there and only have a third of our members show up," said Jonathan Ossip, Student Senate parliamentarian. "This is a slippery slope we're about to set foot on."
