Oxford, Miami University Officials Consider New Efforts To Curb Binge Drinking

BY KERRY McFADDEN
Miami University journalism student

Saturdays in Oxford, marked by early starts and bustling bars, might not look the same in a few years’ time.

The Oxford City Council, along with leaders from Miami University and other Ohio institutions, are discussing ways to reduce high-risk drinking by looking at laws that apply to the sale of alcohol in Ohio. The changes they’re seeking address the options that students, both over and under the age of 21, have at bars in Oxford.

The changes are not yet official legislation proposals.

“This is an idea that a group of city and university folks around the state are in the process of discussing,” said Kate Rousmaniere, mayor of Oxford. “It is in no way a proposal yet.”

Speaking at the end of an Oct. 17 City Council meeting, Rousmaniere reported that Miami Dean of Student Mike Curme is working on ways to combat abusive student drinking under the Ohio Consortium Call to Action Group.

"It's an interesting attempt to address a long-term problem that people have been struggling with for some time," Rousmaniere said in remarks that began at the 1:07 mark in the meeting.

The group, which grew out of the second annual Ohio Town Gown Summit event in Oxford this summer, is looking at issues related to bars that allow entry to 18- to 20-year-old students. More specifically, the group is evaluating whether bars with those policies could be required to use third-party verification technology to test the authenticity of IDs. Group members also want to consider whether municipalities would be able to prohibit such locations from offering drink specials early in the day in order to limit the accessibility of alcohol for long periods of time.

Bars in Oxford draw students uptown early with drink specials on Fridays and Saturdays. Happy hours with names like “Start the Clock,” “Beat the Clock” and “Broken Clock” all offer discounted drinks early in the day, encouraging students to start drinking in the morning or early afternoon in order to get the best prices for mimosas, mixed drinks and pitchers of beer.

Underage students are allowed in the bars while these specials are going on, and while they are not allowed to buy alcohol, many students have deceptive fake IDs, or look to other students of legal drinking age to purchase alcohol for them, Rousmaniere noted in her remarks.

“Permit holders will be included in the discussion if it were to become more serious,” Rousmaniere said.

City and university officials are concerned about the effects of such behavior on student health and culture, but also on the local economy and the dynamic of the town. Having the center of town filled with intoxicated and disorderly college students discourages town residents from coming to town and bringing their families.

Participants in the July Town Gown gathering agreed that Ohio's law regarding alcohol make "home rule" of bar operations difficult.

In the state of Ohio, alcohol laws cannot be modified by municipalities. Any amendments to liquor laws happen in Columbus through the Ohio Liquor Control Board.

In other action on Oct. 17, Council OK'd plans for a new drive-through Burger King, to be located at 5093 College Corner Pike just west of Uptown. The 2,800-square-foot facility will include 61 seats, and require the removal of two houses.