On March 29, UW-Madison students found an issue dear to their hearts and wallets over which to battle the city and university administration: a ban on drink specials after 8 p.m.
The Alcohol License Review Committee's Report on Comprehensive Alcohol Issues, which focused on ways to improve the safety of the community's drinking environment, proposed a multi-tiered approach to reach that goal. Educational programs regarding the hazards of \hyper-intoxication"" and an increase in live music venues, along with the partial ban on drink specials, were all met with great fanfare from the university, especially UW-Madison Chancellor John Wiley, who has long been in support of such a ban.
Students have argued at numerous public hearings that such a ban would simply diminish their wallets and force individuals into unregulated and potentially more dangerous house parties in search of a cheaper drink.
Downtown Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said he was worried the report was too vague in regard to potentially redirecting police resources to deal with these house parties. He added that he thought the police force had more important things on which to spend its time.
The report will most likely be accepted by the City Council May 7, but no proposals regarding drink specials or any other specifics of the study will be introduced until students are back in school next fall.
