As Baltimore City fumbles to establish legislation that would make it illegal for underage people to enter a bar or tavern, several clubs such as Iguana Cantina and Power Plant Live have decided to discontinue their popular "college nights" despite some opposition from bar owners.
One of the key proponents of the proposed law, Leigh Ratiner, the chairman of the Baltimore City Liquor Advisory Committee (BCLAC), issued in a statement released on the BCLAC's Web site, "All Members opposed the marketing of `college nights' directed at minors and the entire concept of `18 to party and 21 to drink.' We believe this should be a prohibited practice in taverns and by liquor licensees or anyone acting on their behalf such as `party promoters' or `deejays.'
"All members believe the Liquor Board should actively discourage licensees from targeting minors in their marketing practices for events such as `college nights' by whatever means are available to the Liquor Board and many have expressed their feelings that licensees should be fined heavily for doing so."
Ratiner declined to comment in regard to the BCLAC's recommendations and planned a meeting for September. According to the group's Web site, one of the key issues to be discussed will be implementation of such a law to help curb the problem of underage drinking in Baltimore.
Although the BCLAC simply advises the Liquor Board, the recent stint of heavy fining in local nightclubs has led bar owners to the ban "College Nights" at their clubs. Iguana Cantina, after being fined $1,000 for serving underage persons, officially ended college nights August 17, 2006. Many clubs, including Baja Beach Club and Bar Baltimore, have also taken similar actions.
While the General Assembly has yet to pass an effective legislation disallowing anyone under age 21 to enter a bar or tavern, college students are already feeling the effects.
Dennis O'Shea, the executive director of communication and public affairs, said, "The law is the law. Underage students should not drink. Period. Students of legal age should, if they choose to drink, do so responsibly. The record is all too clear that violating either of these two simple rules leads to consequences that are serious and sometimes, unfortunately tragic."
Although Hopkins is not a "dry" campus, the administration has insisted that it has taken several precautions with hopes of preventing the illegal consumption of alcohol. Susan Boswell, the dean of students, recently created an Alcohol Task Force Report which outlines the expectations of the university.
"The university is committed to taking every step necessary to address alcohol and other drug difficulties which affect safety and impede students from achieving academic and personal success. The key components included in this position statement are disciplinary violations, health center and counseling center referrals, residence hall procedures and better communication with students and parents," she said.
