EDITORIAL: Let it flow
University Recreation has broken the seal at McGuirk Arena, allowing alumni and students to purchase beer for the first time at the Third Eye Blind concert on Homecoming weekend.
Doing something new to attract the returning alumni base is a solid move at a time when it has been difficult to fill seats during on-campus events. On Homecoming weekend, alcohol will be served in a controlled environment, where only people of legal age can purchase drinks. We have yet to see how this affects the event, but it is encouraging to see University Recreation try something new to engage the campus community.
We would support CMU extending alcohol sales to other concert events this semester, something other universities are experimenting with as well.
As part of a one-game pilot, Eastern Michigan University sold beer in a cordoned off area in their Sept. 19 football game against Ball State. Alcohol won't be sold at future athletics events this season, but the test was considered successful by EMU officials.
While the practice is new for an event open to the general public, CMU frequently sells alcohol at other on-campus events that are generally not attended by or organized for students. While the inclusion of beer at the Homecoming concert is directed toward alumni, it's nice to see the university trusts students who will be attending to enjoy the concert like adults.
It will be interesting to see how the inclusion of beer will affect ticket sales. If successful, it might be worth implementing at other concerts which have been harder to market to students.
Though he ended up filling Plachta Auditorium, Nick Swardson's comedy act changed venues due to low ticket sales. A lack of student interest for last year's Ludacris concert forced Program Board to lower ticket prices and eventually give them away for free.
Would offering an amenity that is featured at any other concert add incentive for more students to attend the next show in McGuirk Arena? It is hard to see how it wouldn't be worth trying.
Selling beer at a concert is not bribing students to buy tickets with alcohol, nor is it promoting the idea of a rampant party culture at CMU.
At the same time, students should take advantage of this opportunity to enjoy the concert safely and responsibly. If you are attending the Homecoming concert, show the community that students can handle this privilege.
