TL20060316-01 "Krysten Appelbaum Assistant News Editor The countdown is on. Just a few days are left before Towson University goes on Spring Break, and the student body is already in full preparation. While some students are planning on spending the week in hibernation, others are busy packing their swimsuits and sunscreen for a trip south. Junior mass communication major Jill Thompson said she is spending the week in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico with a large group of friends. �Heck yeah I�m ready [to go],� Thompson said Wednesday. �I�m already packed.� Sophomore special education major Rose Hammond will also be spending the week in the sun and sand. �I�m going to Fort Meyers Beach in Florida with my family,� Hammond said. �I�m excited and ready to go.� Several campus departments are encouraging stu-dents to think about safety during spring break. On Tuesday and Wednesday, the Counseling Center�s Alcohol and Drug Peer Educators pre-sented information on measuring blood alcohol levels and handed out alcohol test strips in the University Union. Also, the Dowell Health Center is encouraging female students to bring Emergency Contraceptive Pills with them during the break. Students can con-tact the center at (410) 704-2466. The State Department�s Bureau of Consular Affairs has also released information and advice to students traveling abroad for break. �Young Americans traveling abroad should remember that the use of drugs or alcohol or engag-ing in reckless behavior while in another country and do more than ruin their vacation; it can land them in a foreign jail, cause them to suffer physical harm or worse,� the bureau said in a press release. �Common sense should prevail in any activities young Americans engage in so that safety hazards my be minimized.� Sharon Leff Associate News Editor Power Plant Live!�s recent citations for serving alcohol to people under 21 have generated debate about eliminating college nights at Baltimore�s bars and clubs. The proposal stems from an $800 fine BAR Baltimore and Have a Nice Day Cafe received in early March for allegedly serving alcohol to underage bar-goers. The Inner Harbor hub of restaurants, bars and, clubs, is a popular night spot for Towson students, especially on Thursday nights. Cordish Co. manages the develop-ment. The proposal would prevent those under 21 from frequenting downtown party spots. It may displease students, but some nearby residents would support the ban. At a Baltimore City Liquor Board meet-ing on March 2, after the fines were lev-ied, Cordish vice president Reed Cordish expressed support for legislation that would prohibit anyone under the age of 21 from entering an establishment like Power Plant Live! during the evening hours. Corrine Becker, president of the Riderwood Hills Community Association, has been a vocal supporter of a ban. �I think there is a strong initiative for [the legislation] because, quite frankly, I don�t see why anyone under 21 needs to get into a bar after 9 p.m.� she said. Samuel Daniels Jr., chief inspector and acting executive secretary on the Baltimore City Liquor Board, said it�s frequently peo-ple who are over 21 that make enforcing the drinking age difficult. �Too often people who are legally able to purchase alcohol will facilitate delivery of that alcohol to people who are underage. That�s really the problem,� he said. While he realizes the elimination of col-lege nights in Baltimore would not elimi-nate underage drinking, he said legislation would definitely make it more difficult. �I think [those who are underage] will find alternative ways, but while there always may be an existence of the problem the question becomes, do we need to sanc-tion it by allowing the problem to exist as easily as it does?� he said. Thursday, 3/16/06 www.thetowerlight.com Brian Stelter/The Towerlight Having just walked off a shuttle bus, students wait in line for admission to Baltimore�s Power Plant Live! Towson offers cautions to spring breakers What is happening to Thursday nights? Power Plant Live! expresses support for underage bar ban after receiving citations for under-21 drinking See BREAK, page 14 INSIDE: This Weekend.................3 Perspectives...................4 News..............................9 Beyond........................15 Arts.............................17 Movies..........................18 Classifi eds....................20 Sports..........................24 Where students are going for vacation and what they can do to ensure their safety COLLEGE NIGHT UNDER FIRE See UNDERAGE, page 14 Writer/director Jason Reitmann sets film world ablaze with feature debut �Thank You for Smoking� Arts, page 17 Student groups unite for marriage equality rally News, page 9 The Towerlight Published by and for the students of Towson and Baltimore -- twice weekly Illustration by Jenn Long / Art Director ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? 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