Image via Flickr. Copyright Adam Jones.
On Sunday, September 8th, the Executive Board of Associated Students of Claremont McKenna College (ASCMC) announced a new policy regarding alcohol at 5C ASCMC events. Starting with Oktoberfest, ASCMC will begin hiring outside bartenders, and students must present their CMC ID to confirm that they are over 21 years of age in order to be served a drink.
Previously, ASCMC had employed student bartenders. While they were required by policy to ask students for ID, enforcement was inconsistent.
On Monday, Vice President for Student Affairs Dianna Graves spoke on the policy change at ASCMC Senate. Graves cited liability concerns over “increased scrutiny… from the Los Angeles County Fire Department” as the driving reason behind raising the issue with ASCMC. She added, “It is inappropriate for the student government to be knowingly handing out alcohol to underage students… CMC has made a very conscious decision to let students make really responsible choices, and we’re here to help with that. But we can’t knowingly have our student government in a position where they are distributing alcohol to underage drinkers."
Asked if the extra costs of hiring a bartender would affect the price of wristbands to attend parties, Graves reported that the Dean of Students office “will work with ASCMC” to cover the costs. Separately, an ASCMC official confirmed that the number of ASCMC-sponsored parties would remain unchanged despite the extra expense.
When asked if the new policy might lead to irresponsible drinking prior to events, Graves told the Independent “I don’t think anybody is counting on the beer or two they get [inside the event] for what level of drinking they’re planning to do." It remains to be seen how the new policy will affect students' drinking habits, especially as they pertain to binge drinking.
Updated at 12:43 PM.
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