RS.06.01

March 27, 2006

Prefiled Resolution

(Final;Action)

RS.06.01 Prefiled Resolution To Eliminate Unofficial St. Patrick’s Day

I present this resolution for Senate approval. The Senate Executive Committee endorsed this resolution in principle on March 6, 2006 and the Senate Committee on Educational Policy endorsed this resolution in principle on March 13, 2006.

Whereas, Friday, March 3, 2006, was a regularly scheduled day of instruction at the University of Illinois;

Whereas, Several campus area liquor licensees have promoted March 3, 2006 (and a corresponding date in previous years) as a so-called Unofficial St. Patrick's Day (USPD);

Whereas, USPD promotes binge drinking and disruptive behavior among students during a regularly scheduled class day;

Whereas, The effect of USPD is to reduce class attendance, induce many instructors to cancel class, disrupt the conduct of classes that are held by the presence of intoxicated students, and increase the incidence of other undesirable behavior, such as assaults and vandalism;

Whereas, Significant University resources must be diverted each year to maintaining normal University activities on USPD; and

Whereas, Despite the University's best efforts to mitigate the effects of USPD, it remains an event that seriously undermines the educational mission of the University; therefore be it

Resolved, That the University take affirmative additional steps to prevent the occurrence of any future USPD or any other alcohol-related event on a regularly scheduled instructional day at the University of Illinois.

Sponsor,

Sen. Mark E. Roszkowski (BUS)