WSU easing liquor sales policy

PULLMAN – Washington State University, which once appeared on lists of top party schools, is moving to allow hard liquor sales at its student union building, golf course and before football games.

In March, school administrators changed a long-standing policy to allow hard liquor sales at some new restaurants on campus. A section regulating alcohol sales on football game days was altered to allow liquor to be sold in the Hollingberry Fieldhouse adjacent to Martin Stadium, where only beer and wine sales previously were allowed.

WSU Vice President Mel Taylor doesn’t expect the move to cause problems. “We’re not opening up another college bar,” he said.

Taylor said a quiet, well-controlled bar in the Compton Union Building would offer an alternative for students, staff and faculty who don’t want to go to a rowdy college bar.

The University of Washington allows liquor sales only at the UW Club, which is primarily patronized by faculty and staff, spokesman Bob Roseth said.

In Pullman, the owner of an upscale restaurant under construction in the remodeled Compton Union Building has applied for a liquor license.

“We understand that we’re under the electron microscope,” said Greg Markel, of Kennewick, who owns the Dupus Boomer’s restaurant. “But we’re going to have zero tolerance. We’re going to be very guarded about who we serve and what we serve and watching for the signs of intoxication.”

Dupus Boomer’s has a liquor license application pending with the state Liquor Control Board, as does Banyan’s on the Ridge, a privately owned steakhouse at WSU’s new Palouse Ridge golf course. The board has received comments both for and against granting the licenses, spokeswoman Susan Reams said.