‘MSU brew’ allowed with limits, DUI activist critical

Bozeman Daily Chronicle

By Gail Schontzler, Chronicle Staff Writer

May 3, 2017

Montana State University will allow its trademark to be used to promote beer and alcoholic beverages in a limited way, to honor “a significant university anniversary,” but at least one student feels the university has gone too far.

By unanimous voice vote, the 30-member University Council agreed Wednesday to remove alcohol from the current ban on use of MSU trademarks, which still applies to weapons, tobacco and recreational drugs.

The new policy allows MSU trademarks on alcoholic products only if three conditions are met. First, the university, directed by the president, must solicit a “commemorative tribute in honor of a significant university anniversary,” like MSU’s 125th anniversary next year.

Second, the label can’t include the Bobcat head or athletic insignia. And third, the seller must agree to the university’s new policy, alcohol marketing guidelines and any special requirements.

That “could be considered a compromise,” said MSU spokesman Tracy Ellig.

When the policy change was first proposed this winter, concerns were raised by the Associated Students of MSU Senate, Gallatin County DUI Task Force and others, who argued that Montana has one of the worst rates of drunken-driving fatalities in the nation.

“We took those concerns very seriously,” Ellig said. “We ended up dialing back the proposal significantly. We didn’t ignore the concerns out there.”

MSU considers the 125th anniversary celebration to be a year-long celebration, he said.

Adrian Massey, a student and DUI Task Force chair, said he still feels the final policy is “too open-ended.” When the ASMSU Senate voted to endorse the proposed change, senators agreed to do so for the 125th anniversary only, not for any anniversary, he said.

“I don’t think it’s in the best interests of Montana State students for the university to be peddling beers,” Massey said.

He pointed to recent bad publicity about a former student president having to step down after her arrest for driving under the influence. He said a young woman MSU student recently died in an auto wreck after heavy drinking.

The 19-year-old student who died Feb. 23 on Interstate 90 had a blood alcohol level of 0.249, three times the legal limit, the Montana Highway Patrol confirmed.

It seems a double standard or “hypocritical,” Massey said, for university leaders to create the SAFE (Substance Abuse Free Environment) Coalition, but to promote alcohol.

“I don’t think ‘MSU brew’ is a responsible choice to make,” he said.