Trustees approve stylistic updates to risk-management policy and tighten alcohol event approvals

At its Finance and Facilities Committee meeting, the Minnesota State Board of Trustees approved second readings of two board-policy updates: policy 5.16, Risk Management and Insurance, and policy 5.18, Alcoholic Beverages and Controlled Substances.

Staff said both policies completed the required 30-day review with no public comments. Trustees were told that the updates to policy 5.16 are largely stylistic and do not change substantive requirements. The committee voted to approve the policy on a roll-call vote.

For policy 5.18, staff said the substantive change clarifies responsibilities and now requires individuals seeking to consume alcohol at campus events to request and obtain approval in advance; previously the policy authorized campus presidents to approve use of alcohol but did not require advance requests by those who intended to consume alcohol. The policy’s updated procedures, approved by the chancellor, will explicitly address licensed premises and tailgating and reiterate that marijuana and marijuana-containing products remain controlled substances for purposes of the policy. The committee approved policy 5.18 on a roll-call vote.

Votes recorded during the meeting included trustees who voted in the affirmative during roll call for both policies; meeting minutes capture the roll-call approvals. Both policies will be reflected in the board’s policy manual and return to the full board as final-approved policy language in line with board rules for second readings.

No amendments to either policy were reported during the committee discussion, and no public comments were recorded during the 30-day review period.