After the announcement that an alcohol ordinance could prevent open alcohol from being consumed on campus, MSU student government officials said the root of their worries is not just the bill.

A draft of the proposal stated Sue Carter, secretary to the Board of Trustees, would be responsible for approving any area or event, such as tailgating, that would be exceptions to the proposed ban.

ASMSU officials said they were worried one person would have so much control over where and when students could drink on campus.

Student Assembly Vice Chairperson for External Affairs Andrew Bell said he thinks alcohol decisions should be made by a larger number of people.

"Maybe they should include students or some alumni so that it's not just one person," he said. "I believe it's much better to have group input."

But MSU spokesman Terry Denbow said activities associated with the distribution of alcohol have always had to get clearance from the secretary.

Denbow said part of the secretary's job description forwards her control to give clearance for events.

The open alcohol ban will be voted on by the Board of Trustees on Feb. 11. The ban, if passed, would prohibit students from consuming or possessing open alcohol in public.

Students 21 years of age and older could still drink alcohol in their dorm rooms.

Members of the student government said they are still concerned about issues surrounding last semester's tailgating restrictions.

"I have no personal qualms with the secretary," Student Assembly Chairperson Andrew Schepers said. "We've had a professional disagreement on issues surrounding tailgating."

Last semester, questions surrounding alcohol use on campus, particularly during football Saturdays, were brought up after increased arrests and an alleged rape near the Wilson Hall tennis courts while students tailgated.

Carter, administrators and ASMSU officials participated in group discussions in an effort to come to a consensus on campus drinking.

ASMSU officials accused Carter of not giving them the input they deserved and said an agreement was never reached.

Carter, however, reported to former MSU President M. Peter McPherson, then-Provost Lou Anna Simon and Vice President for Finance and Operations Fred Poston that consensus was met by everyone present at the meeting.

The tailgating guidelines banned drinking games and limited tailgating to five hours before kickoff and two hours after. The restrictions were put into effect in October.

Carter said others will be included when decisions are made about the limits to alcohol use on campus.

"The process will involve many people in the community," she said.

Schepers said ASMSU has not lobbied for or against the ban because the student government wants to take precautionary steps due to the seriousness associated with the matter.

"We want to make sure the decision we make will be in the best interest of what the students want," he said.

Michael Susner, chairperson of the policy committee, said ASMSU is trying not to be too "hasty" with the situation.

"We were criticized by some of our representatives last semester with the tailgating issues," he said. "We want to take all prudence with this situation and pass the best legislation."

Darrell Hughes can be reached at hughes92@msu.edu