Students at the University of Limerick will today vote in a referendum on whether or not to withdraw from the college's alcohol policy.
As part of an agreement between student representatives and authorities at UL four years ago, alcohol sponsorship and promotion on campus was severely restricted.
According to the 2003 Alcohol Policy Action Plan the university promised to open a late-night non-alcoholic venue on campus and to fund clubs and societies to the tune of €60,000 a year. However, students claim the university's management has failed to meet its promises and the student population is being urged to vote yes to withdraw from the agreement. According to the campaigns and services officer Alannah Turner, "a living bridge on a dying campus", is the essence of the campaign.
"The university has put so much energy into building capital projects and nothing into the alcohol policy. We have had to force the university's hand because they were so reluctant to act on the promises made in the policy," she explained.
"We are encouraging students to vote yes," she added.