This story was written as an assignment for my spring 2018 reporting class with Mr. Jason Offutt. The assignment was to write a story covering a public/open meeting.

1. Madi Nolte
Reporting
Public mtg. Story
Mr. Jason Offutt
SAC works to bring new attraction to fall concert
Northwest’s Student Activities Council looks to switch things up a bit next year as it
discussed the possibility of featuring a beer garden at an event being planned for October
during a weekly meeting Thursday evening.
Student Activities Council (SAC) director Emily Elliot said the concert committee is in the
works of planning a music festival for Oct. 20 that would feature various musicians. This event
will take the place of SAC’s traditional large fall concert.
SAC director of media relations Ali Stott said a music festival will provide a cheaper
alternative to the large concerts they’ve put on in the past, including the most recent Chase Rice
concert held in December. This event costed roughly $110,000.
While it would be a first for a SAC event, University Police Chief Clarence Green said
the University has permitted beer gardens in the past for on-campus events including weddings
and rodeos among others.
“Northwest has a policy that allows for the evaluation of alcohol being served on campus
to those 21 years of age,” Green said.
According to Alcoholic Beverages on University Property Policy and Procedure,
Northwest is a dry campus with several exceptions. The suites at Bearcat Stadium, Raymond J.
Courter College Park Pavilion and a handful of designated tailgating lots allow for possession
and consumption of alcohol for individuals of legal age. Alcohol is also allowed at specific
activities held at the Gaunt House and in the J.W. Jones Student Union, upon approval from the
President.
The document was last updated in September to allow for the sale of alcohol at tailgating
events and for hall directors of legal age to possess alcohol in their dorms.
For junior exercise science major Kyle Warthen, the most recent SAC concert was not of
interest due to Chase Rice being a country performer. The possibility of a beer garden might
just give Warthen the push to give the music festival a chance.
“If the beer wouldn’t be crazy expensive, then I would probably consider giving the music
festival idea a chance,” Warthen said. “Who cares if I don’t know the performers, you can’t beat
live music and beer.”
Freshman Kayla Geyer agrees with Warthen, saying alcohol is always the answer with
college students.
“Honestly I think it’s a great idea,” Geyer said. “I think it would bring in a ton more people
than a regular concert. Most people enjoy to have a drink and listen to music--like at The Palms
last weekend. No cover charge and live bands and that bar was packed plum full.”
Green said large-scale events like a music festival require an increased level of staffing
from the University Police Department, especially if alcohol is a factor.
“Events with alcohol increase that level of security so that we have a significant enough
presence to deter and respond to incidents,” Green said. “We have had discussions around the
security at such an event and are currently supportive of alcohol being sold.”
Green said a security plan needs to be finalized as well as receiving official support from
President Jasinski in order for a beer garden to be officially approved for the music festival.

2. Madi Nolte
Reporting
Public mtg. Story
Mr. Jason Offutt
In addition to live music and a possible beer garden, Elliott said plans for the event are
to include a variety of outdoor activities like giant Jenga and giant beer pong with trash cans and
volleyballs, various vendor and food trailers and a photo booth.
“Because I know nobody’s really gonna know the local performers’ names or anything,
there has to be like other things to do so people will stay for the full time,” Elliott said.
While not wanting to spoil all of the surprises quite yet, Elliott said multiple live music
acts will perform throughout the festival.
“Right now we’re just looking at headliners, although we don’t really know for sure yet
who our performers will be,” Elliott said. “We’re looking at Lauv, Radical Something and Edible
Canvas as our top picks right now.”
“I’m getting away with a lot more than I ever have,” Elliot said. “I don’t know how and I
don’t know what I’m doing but apparently I’m doing everything like I should be. I haven’t gotten a
no on the beer garden yet--right now I’m waiting on response granting permission to set up beer
garden in tennis courts.”
SAC encourages students with ideas or input for this or future events to attend their
meetings, taking place at 5 p.m. on Thursdays in the J.W. Jones Student Union Boardroom.