TL20050331_001 "Baltimore's #1 College Paper - Published Twice-Weekly - www.thetowerlight.com Thursday, 3/31/05 Clements receives permanent title 5 Towson improves 'Security' standing 5 Show combines film, digital photos Cast, visuals stun in comic 'Sin City1 Departments Opinion News 5 Police Blotter. Paw Prints 9 Arts 13 Scheer Cinema 14 Entertainment Briefs. 15 Sports 20 In This Corner. 20 Classifieds. 16 Debate ensues over citations Brian Stelter The Towerlight Disagreement over four alcohol citations issued by the TU Police Department during the Towson/ Maryland lacrosse game earlier this month has led to further inspection of the University's stance toward underage alcohol use at athletic events. On Saturday, March 12, officers issued four citations for underage possession of alcohol in Lot 20. Police also referred one student to Judicial Affairs and conducted 65 alcohol age verifications. As the students received citations, Student Government Association President Mark Schlosser called Towson University Police Chief Bernie Gerst to complain about the actions of the officers. In an interview this week, Schlosser said the police were harassing students in the parking lot. """"Students drinking underage isn't something that we should condone, but at the same time we shouldn't be harassing students who are tail- gating before the game and aren't out of control,"""" Schlosser said. """"Cops should not be harassing students in the parking lots while tail- gating. It shouldn't happen."""" But it was happening on March 12, Schlosser said. """"The students were being unfairly targeted. I was in the tailgating lot when the students [received citations] and they weren't doing anything wrong,"""" he said. However, the students in question were under the age of 21 and were in possession of alcohol. Gerst acknowledged University police can- """"Students drinking underage isn't something that we should condone, but at the same time we shouldn't be harassing students who are tailgating before the game and aren't out of control."""" Mark Schlosser president, SGA not turn a blind eye to obvious abuse of alcohol by underage students during tailgating. """"We cannot stand by and knowingly watch someone break the law and take no action because we'd be negligent,"""" he said. According to TUPD statistics, officers conducted 334 age verifications at last fall's football games and only nine citations were issued. Eight citations were issued at the Homecoming game Oct. 9 and one was issued Nov. 13. """"We're not going through and checking every person,"""" Gerst said. """"If the officer thinks the person is under the legal drinking age and they have alcohol, they're going to approach the person and ask whether they have ID."""" The citations raise a sensitive issue in whether or not officers use discretion when they approach students who are tailgating. But Gerst said the police depart- Lisa Johnson/The Towerlight ment's goal is not to write as many citations as possible. """"Our purpose is to try to prevent and deter underage drinking and binge drinking. We can't just stand by and take a don't-ask, don't-tell approach,"""" he said. Ignoring underage drinking could have dangerous consequences. On March 12, within hours of the Towson/Maryland lacrosse game, two students were rushed to the hospital because of alcohol. Ambulances were called to campus more than 20 times in 2004 for alcohol poisoning cases, Gerst said. An obvious tension exists between two goals, and thus two parts of campus: encouraging attendance See ALCOHOL, page 6 File photo Four alcohol citations were issued during tailgating at a lacrosse game this month, sparking conflict over underage drinking policies at events. Enrollment decreases in winter, summer sessions Sharon Leff The Towerlight A decrease in summer sessions and Minimester enrollment has prompted new ideas for attracting students to Towson's post-semester programs. While many students clear out after fall and spring finals, Towson continues to hold selected classes in the interims. But enrollment in summer sessions and Minimester has reduced in recent years. """"We've been losing about 5 percent in enrollment in each of the last two years,"""" Provost James Brennan said. Brennan has been working on a new initiative to maintain and increase participation. Before reconstructing the programs, Towson must figure out what has prompted the drop off. """"As provost, I've tried to ask why. It's the kind of courses offered and particularly a slight disconnect between what students wanted and what was offered in the summer,"""" Brennan said. The University plans to offer more upper level courses during the summer session. They intend to increase the number of upper level science courses, mass communication classes and some classes in the College of Liberal Arts. """"We're realigning offerihgs to better serve students,"""" Brennan said. Students looking to enroll in summer sessions are often seeking courses they were unable to get into during fall and spring semesters. Brennan realizes many Towson See INITIATIVES, page 6 Today High 54 Low 46 Friday High 60 Low 47 Saturday High 53 Low 35 Sunday High 52 Low 43 Monday High 63 Low 44"
