The College of Communication is investigating an advertising class whose professors let students drink beer in the classroom two weeks ago, the school’s dean said Monday.

Interim dean Tobe Berkovitz also said he canceled last week’s class when he was told the professors let students bring and drink beer as part of a project. Class will probably resume next week, he said.

Berkovitz said he canceled the class – taught by professors Lawrence DeLamarter and Dave Schaefer – because COM officials were still deciding how to deal with the incident. Professors allegedly did not check students’ identifications, though DeLamarter told The Daily Free Press last week that no underage students drank.

“We were in the process of evaluating a serious charge,” Berkovitz said.

The university could take action against students of age, because according to the BU Lifebook, alcohol “may not be consumed in any public areas” of the school.

Berkovitz said while he would not debate whether a classroom is a public space or not, he said a classroom is “an important, key part of the university.” He did not confirm or deny whether action will be taken against the professors or students in either section of their Advertising Copy and Design class.

The incident began when the class was assigned an advertising project to promote a new kind of beer. Professors told students 21 and over they could bring beer into the class as part of their projects, and many students drank the beer, students said.

Students said the professors told them not to get drunk and never encouraged them to drink. The professors have allowed students to bring beer to class for many years for the same project, students said.

COM senior Charlotte Wirtanen, who took the class last year, said the professors are two of the best in the college because they challenge students to create innovative campaigns.

“They also help their students both during the semester and after it is completed and have contacted me many times since I have taken the class asking how I am doing and whether or not I would like help after graduation,” Wirtanen said in an email. “I think they are an asset to the university.

“I am saddened to see their integrity being questioned and have no reason to question their methods of teaching,” she added.

Other students have joined with alumni in a Facebook.com group that praises the professors and urges students to support DeLamarter and Schaefer by writing letters of support for the duo to Berkovitz.

DeLamarter and Schaefer did not respond to emails and phone calls.