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Rescind Daytime Suds Ban

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By JAMES CALLIHAN

Special to the Tribune

Published: September 27, 2008

I would like to expand on a recent story that the University of South Florida has barred daytime beer sales at the Beef O'Brady's in the newly opened student center. Although at first glance it appears that this is just another wild student trying to defy the rules on his way to ultimately legalize marijuana, I assure you that my fellow classmates and I have much better intentions.

I have done a great deal of research into the alcohol policies of universities in similar situations around the state. At Florida State, Florida Atlantic and Central Florida, the alcohol policy was fairly uniform. They all state that alcohol is to be consumed in authorized places in accordance with state and local law. Why does USF feel the need to go above and beyond? This policy seems to work everywhere else, including college campuses.

The university has cited a policy that was written in the 1990s that said that alcohol was not to be consumed prior to classes. This is a wonderful policy, it should go without saying. Some lawyer working for the university called the allowance of drinking at the campus restaurant an oversight, but I stress that one has nothing to do with the other.

The life of a college student can mean various things to various people, especially on a campus as diverse as USF. There is no set schedule, as various students finish their day at various times. There are also a wide variety of non-USF students, staff and faculty on campus throughout the day. When, exactly, is an alumnus visiting the school going to drink prior to class? How could a student without class on a certain day be in violation of the policy? There are many other instances where an unrelated group is affected.

There has been a serious negative effect on the revenue that Beef O' Brady's now generates. During the first two weeks of school, it was impossible to find a seat, as the place stayed full . Now the "new campus hangout" is empty. I talked to various wait staff at the restaurant, and one of them claimed making as much as $100 in a day in tips. Now they say they are hardly making $20 in any given shift.

Most importantly, this negatively affects the Marshall Center's bottom line. With a limited resource of "activity and service fees," every dollar that Beef's made was fewer dollars the Marshall Center took to operate and one more dollar that could go to the recreation center, health services, student affairs, or one of the many student organizations on campus.

We the students of USF will continue to ask the university to rescind this policy.

James Callilhan is a USF senior.

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