Issue date: 9/12/07 Section: Opinion

Anyone in need of a cold beer will be happy to know that Hula Dog, located in the River Front Center, has added a bar to their facility. They now offer beer and wine and eventually plan to serve margaritas. There is nothing like a tall glass of courage before that speech or to forget about that midterm you just bombed. However, the bar has imposed drink limits. Much like The Hive at Round Table, there is a three drink maximum per person and the person must wear a bracelet that gets marked each time they purchase a beer.

The River Front Center housed a bar called The Pub in the past, but it was closed. Why bring one back now?

Executive Director of University Enterprises, Inc. Matt Altier stated that The Pub closed because of "lack of business and the inability to support itself."

"They believed their client base was growing to the point that a pub could and would work," said Altier.

Does Sacramento State need another bar on campus?

Another bar is not going to change the student culture in a positive way. Don't get me wrong, but Sac State is in desperate need of an identity, especially an identity that emphasizes academic and intellectual achievement. We don't want the reputation of being drunks. Another place to drink is not going to improve student life or the image of the campus, but it might hurt it.

In 2003, the Harvard School of Public Health College Alcohol Study found that in areas where alcohol density was highest, meaning businesses selling alcohol within two miles of campus, students drank more and had more drinking-related problems. We don't need Harvard to tell us that "If you sell it, they will drink ... heavily," but it's something to think about.

Ask students at Chico State if the party image they have is worth the lives lost on campus from irresponsible drinking. Of course, Sac State won't become the new Chico State or West Virginia University, which topped Princeton Review's "Top Party Schools 2007" list. However, this sets a precedent for future alcoholic "endeavors" that can slowly strip a university of its academic merit and credibility.

Speaking out against another establishment serving alcohol at Sac State is obviously going to be unpopular with the thousands of twenty-somethings on campus longing to find entertainment in Sacramento and drinking whatever and however much to make this place exciting. But another bar on campus does me no good. There is much more one could be doing than guzzling booze -- for instance, studying. Sounds boring, but I drank my fill long ago and have closed that chapter of my life. If students need a late night hang out, try the library, which is open until 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday.

There are plenty of liquor stores and bars within walking distance of Sac State and one could argue that those living in the residence halls wouldn't have to leave campus (i.e. drive drunk, should they dare, or stumble into on-coming traffic) to get booze with two bars on campus. This is true but students are going to drink regardless of age or distance to get their fill. Now, a student can drink their limit at The Hive and then go to Hula's Bar & Grill to continue their drinking. Did the University, UEI or Hula Dog consider that? Students would benefit far more if the University provided an all-organic food/beverage kiosk, for example, than a second bar.

The new bar will get plenty of business and the campus won't instantly fall apart because of it. However, do not be surprised if we see an increase in alcohol-related disturbances and arrests on campus.

Scott Allen can be reached at sallen@statehornet.com

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