An ordinance banning open alcohol on campus was passed unanimously Thursday by the MSU Board of Trustees.

With Trustee Colleen McNamara not in attendance and Trustee Joel Ferguson voting via telephone, the open-alcohol ban was approved, along with a ban on public urination, by a vote of 7-0.

Trustees agreed that the ban would promote safety on campus and align MSU with every other Big Ten university.

University administrators said they plan to propose lifting the ban on all tailgating Saturdays now that it has been approved, except for Munn field and a perimeter around the stadium.

The ordinances go into effect immediately, but will not be enforced until MSU police are properly educated on their specifics, said Fred Poston, vice president of finance and operations.

"Typically, they don't run right out and ticket people," Poston said.

Originally presented at the board's Jan. 14 meeting, the alcohol ordinance will eliminate open consumption of alcohol in outdoor public areas on campus, save for tailgating and other exceptions in designated areas. Students who are 21 years and older will still be able to drink in their residence hall rooms.

East Lansing has a similar ordinance, which prohibits the consumption of open alcohol in public areas of the city. Mayor Mark Meadows, who spoke at the meeting, said the ban was necessary to align city and campus laws.

Violating the alcohol ban will be a misdemeanor, making it easier to track repeat offenders, MSU police Chief Jim Dunlap said. Punishments would include paying a fine and attending an alcohol education program, Dunlap added.

Guidelines for exceptions to the ban will be developed during the next few months and approved at the board's April meeting, MSU President Lou Anna Simon said.