For underage students at the University of Wisconsin, one of the only places to catch a concert and hang out with the 21-and-over crowd is at UW’s own Memorial Union.
However, other college campuses, such as the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, allow students into bars at age 19, letting them experience music and entertainment while students of age sport wristbands to purchase drinks.
Throughout the controversy of the cabaret law, the Union allows students of all ages inside while still sponsoring free concerts and providing beer for those who are of age.
Although the Union does not offer wristbands, Marc Kennedy, publicist for the Wisconsin Union, said underage drinking is kept under control.
“We train our bartenders and supervisors extensively to spot fake [identification cards], inappropriate use of an ID or inappropriate sharing of beer with minors,” he said. “Supervisors routinely monitor the Terrace and Rathskeller to ensure compliance.”
UW senior Dan Andrews disagreed.
“It’s completely easy to drink underage at the Union. They generally don’t go around carding that often,” he said.
Andrews believed the size of the Terrace and the amount of people that flock there could add to the problem.
UW junior Jody Fassett described an underage drinking experience at the Terrace.
“My friend who was 21 just bought a pitcher. We had cups and were sitting at a table drinking,” she said.
Kristy Haskett, a UW sophomore, also explained that the atmosphere of the Terrace can make it hard to regulate underage drinking.
“We went there for a concert. There was so many people there and it was so crazy that even if police were there trying to crack down on underage drinking, it would be tough,” she said. “I didn’t worry about getting in trouble.”
Even with the busy atmosphere during concerts, Kennedy said the Union is still successful in preventing underage students from buying alcohol.
“Our bartenders and supervisors are highly trained and very effective,” Kennedy said. “Plus, we don’t sell mixed drinks or shots in the [Rathskeller] or on the Terrace, and don’t have drink specials.”
If students do get caught drinking underage in the Union, the consequences are severe. The Union reports their names to the Dean’s Office and alerts the UW Police Department, which Kennedy said often results in the issuing of a ticket.
“My friends have gotten busted,” Hope Wallace, UW sophomore, said. “I’m too involved in this school to have my name reported to the Dean’s Office.”
Haskett agreed. “That’s a good reason not to drink there.”
Kennedy said the Union sponsors many events and activities, including music, films and dances along with serving beer. These activities are a strong draw for students, especially with the option of alcohol for the 21-and-over crowd. UW is one of the few wet campuses in the nation in that alcohol is served at the Union.
“If you come to the Rathskeller on Saturday night when there is a band, as soon as the music stops, 90 percent of the patrons leave,” Kennedy said. “This indicates that they are not coming here only to drink beer — they are coming for the music.”