GCSU will allow alcohol at Sister Hazel

     Aside from GCSU Idol, Homecoming is easily one of the biggest events held on campus every year.  The weekend of festivities has become even bigger with the announcement that Sister Hazel, a popular 90s band, will be performing this year.  Along with a big act, another big change will also be made. GCSU will allow those 21 or older to drink alcohol while at the Sister Hazel concert.
     It is a very rare sight to see alcohol at any school sponsored event, especially on campus.  Spectators of the legal age aren’t even allowed to drink at sporting events, whether they are school teams or intramurals.  So why is it being allowed now? SGA President Ryan Greene had the answer to that question.
     “(SGA) looked at other universities in the Southeast, and what they did in terms of big concerts. This policy specifically that we’re sticking with is what a lot of other universities have,” Greene said.
     Limits will be placed on how much alcohol will be allowed to be brought into the concert.  Using a professional security company to ensure the safety of each student, Ids will be checked at the door and wristbands will be given out to those who plan on drinking.
     This will be the biggest concert since BavaFest, a concert series which had hosted names such as Run DMC, Lil’ Jon and the Eastside Boyz, and Edwin McCain, was cancelled in 2004 in favor of Bobcat Nights.  At some of these concerts, alcohol was permitted, so there is evidence that this has worked in the past.  Of course, there are always concerns whenever alcohol is involved. 
     “There’s gonna be some drunk freshmen,” said junior biology major Andréa Walker.  “That’s like saying, ‘Hello freshmen, feel free to drink.’”
     Lindsey Brown, sophomore English major and a resident assistant at The Village at West Campus where the concert will be held, also voices similar concerns.
     “I don’t think it’s a good idea.  Freshmen can already find ways to drink, so to give them a chance to do it in public, probably isn’t the smartest thing to do,” Brown said.
     Underage drinking is always an important consideration. Also, given that the concert is outside, there’s a chance that someone may be able to sneak in some alcohol.  However, because of the aforementioned security, that will be in place,  Greene is confident no major problems will arise and alcohol at a school sponsored event is a change that the majority of the students will appreciate.
     “There’s always a possibility of a problem when alcohol is involved,” Greene said. “I think with the amount that we’re limiting it to, making sure that people are 21, keeping it in a homecoming setting so that it’s not a downtown atmosphere, I personally think that allowing some alcohol at an event makes it more attractive to college students because they see it as a real event that is more in tune to their interests.” 
If the Sister Hazel concert proves to be successful, you can expect a large homecoming concert to be an annual event.
     “We’re trying to make Homecoming a bigger event,” said Greene.  “As long as it’s successful this year and we don’t have tons of arrests, I think we’ll have it again next year.”
     For more concert and ticket information check out the Sister Hazel concert event page on Facebook or go to www.ticketweb.com.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Feb 8 2008. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry