Regents Won’t Push Alcohol Sales on Campus in 2016 Session

SPEARFISH, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota's higher education governing board won't push for a bill during the upcoming legislative session to allow alcohol sales on the state's six public university campuses.

The Board of Regents decided Wednesday to have a task force keep studying the issue.

State law doesn't ban serving alcohol, but on-campus sales are prohibited. Regents spokeswoman Janelle Toman says potential changes would likely be aimed at fundraising and limited special events.

Toman expects to develop a variety of proposals for consideration.

A report to the regents indicates that students at four of the six institutions support allowing alcohol sales on campus with proper safety precautions.

Opponents say allowing alcohol sales on campus could encourage binge drinking and create additional problems for the schools and the cities in which they're located.

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