At Cal State Bakersfield, alcohol is currently not sold at any of the university’s sports events. As the campus continues to grow and evolve, the question of whether alcohol should be allowed at these events has sparked a debate among students, staff athletes alike.
The CSU Policy on Alcohol Sales
According to Hazel J. Kelly, Manager of Strategic Communications & Public Affairs for the CSU’s Chancellors Office, the CSU policy grants each campus president the authority to decide whether to sell alcoholic beverages at university-sponsored intercollegiate athletic events
This means that the final decision regarding alcohol sales at CSUB events rests with the university’s president, Dr. Vernon Harper.
While the question of alcohol sales has generated a lot of discussion on campus, Dr. Harper shared that he has “not considered” allowing alcohol sales at athletic events at this time. “My priority as the university’s president is to make sure that we are a safe environment,”
Dr. Harper said. “If I were to consider it, it would really need to reach the campus community, especially our students.”
If the administration were to reconsider alcohol sales, Dr. Harper noted that a greater discussion with Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) would be necessary. Such a discussion would explore the implications for athletic events, including security and ensuring that minors do not gain access to alcohol.
“If I were to consider a change—which I’m not currently considering—I’d need to understand what it would mean for the overall atmosphere at our games and how we could maintain a safe environment,” Dr. Harper said.
The Case for Alcohol at Sports Events
Some students believe that selling alcohol at sports events could enhance the overall game day experience, both for fans and for the university itself.
“I think it would make the games more exciting and fun for adults,” said CSUB junior, Emily Beltran, “A lot of people enjoy having a drink while watching a game. It could create a better atmosphere for fans, and even draw larger crowds.”
Many students argue that allowing alcohol could improve the social environment at sporting events, encouraging people to attend and stay longer. Some also see it as an opportunity for CSUB to increase revenue by tapping into the popularity of alcohol sales at events.
“It could be a good idea,” said Hannah-Betty Demoica, CSUB senior, “It really depends on the person, if they can handle their alcohol and be responsible about it.”
Supporters of alcohol sales also pointed out the fact that alcohol is already served at many professional and collegiate sports venues across the country. There can be effective ways to regulate alcohol consumption, such as limiting the amount sold per person and offering non-alcoholic options.
Concerns About Alcohol at Sports Events
On the other hand, there are students who are firmly against alcohol sales at CSUB sports events. Some worry that introducing alcohol could lead to rowdiness, increased disruptive behavior potentially dangerous situations.
“I think alcohol would make things more chaotic,” said Gisel Larios, CSUB senior, “Sometimes people can get really aggressive when they drink, and I don’t think that’s the kind of atmosphere we want at our games.”
Others expressed concerns about the potential for underage drinking. With alcohol being sold on the premises, some students worry that it might encourage students who are not of legal drinking age to drink and put themselves, as well as others at risk.
Interestingly, not all students are opposed to the idea of alcohol sales, but they suggest that there should be strict guidelines to ensure responsible consumption. Some proposed that alcohol could be sold in designated areas away from the main seating sections, or only in VIP areas where it would be easier to monitor consumption.
“I’m not totally against the idea, but I think there should be limits,” said Ashley Sevier, CSUB Senior. “Maybe only sell alcohol in certain areas or make it available at certain times, like during halftime. That way, people can enjoy the game without it getting out of hand.”
Others suggested that alcohol could be sold, but only at specific events, such as the more significant games or alumni events. This way, the university could test the waters and see how it affects the atmosphere before making any permanent changes.
While there are compelling arguments on both sides of the debate, it’s clear that CSUB students are divided on the issue of alcohol sales at sports events. Whether it’s the potential for a more festive atmosphere and increased revenue or concerns over safety and student behavior, this topic will likely continue to be a point of discussion for some time.
Ultimately, the decision to allow alcohol sales at CSUB sports events will fall to the administration, who must weigh the concerns of students, faculty, and campus safety.
