Local law enforcement may soon have the power to enforce beer and liquor laws on Mississippi State’s campus, according to a bill proposed by Sen. Tommy Robertson.Robertson, R-Moss Point, said the law is important because current laws are not clear on exactly who has the right to enforce beer and liquor laws on Mississippi’s college campuses.
Currently, the law unclearly states that the state Alcohol Beverage Control and college and university security are allowed to enforce such laws, he said.
These agencies usually do not deal with consumption issues.
“This law makes it absolutely clear that the local jurisdiction would have full jurisdiction over enforcing beer and liquor laws at Mississippi State,” Robertson said. “Furthermore, I don’t think it will affect the majority of the student body.”
At MSU, the local jurisdiction would include campus police and the Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Department.
The bill, which was passed March 4 by the Senate and earlier by the House, has been sent to Gov. Haley Barbour.
The bill would put a ban on the consumption and sale of alcohol and beer at athletic events on campuses. It will allow universities and community colleges to adopt stricter alcohol policies that are not included in local laws.
Many MSU students say they are strongly opposed to the bill.
“This is a wet campus. Drinking, namely underage drinking, is going to occur no matter what the state tries to institute,” Senior Mary Elizabeth Massey said. “I think these resources could be used for more serious problems in Starkville.”
Massey is not the only one who feels that the proposed bill is out of line.
“It’s ridiculous to make Mississippi State a wet campus and then give law enforcement more of a reason to hassle students,” Junior Marshall Greer said.
Some students are also concerned that involving the Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Department in campus alcohol enforcement is a waste of funds that could be put to other uses, and that the increased law enforcement presence during university functions such as tailgating before football games will dampen the spirit of MSU athletics.
“I don’t understand why they feel the need to bring in extra law enforcement,” Senior Todd Clark said. “I don’t want to see them targeting students who are drinking. If they are going to be hassling us, they need to hassle everyone, including the parents who are making Bloody Mary’s before an 11 a.m. game.”
Greer said that drinking alcohol is a big part of activities such as tailgating.
“The last thing anyone wants is to be at a tailgate and have to explain themselves to a cop every 30 minutes,” he said.