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Campus Tries to Keep Booze Out of Class

St. Patty's crackdown turns profs into bouncers at Illinois

By Ambreen Ali, Newser User

Posted Mar 5, 2009 1:32 PM CST

(Newser) – University of Illinois officials will search students’ backpacks and confiscate containers they suspect might contain alcohol during tomorrow’s “Unofficial St. Patrick’s Day,” the Chicago Tribune reports. Students typically pack campus bars for green beer as early as 8am, and some take drinks to class. “It is surprising that students would actually decide to both celebrate ‘Unofficial’ and go to class,” a spokeswoman said.

“We have people at the door who are trained at searching through backpacks,” she added, noting that even water bottles—which could just as easily be full of vodka—won’t make the cut. The Champaign campus has tried to cool the event since a student died 2 years ago. This year, campus bars won't be allowed to serve pitchers of beer or liquor shots, or open until 11 am.

[Images (3)]

[Videos (1)]

The University of Illinois campus is tightening its grip on campus bars to make Unofficial a more controlled event. Pictured here are attendees of a university cocktail party. (©6Emilius)

Unofficial attracts swarms out outsiders who come to enjoy in the annual drunken revelry. (©quinn.anya)

Some students have tried sneaking drinks into class during past Unofficial events. This year, school officials plan to make sure that doesn't happen. (Shutter stock)

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Local reporters report on a past 'Unofficial' St. Patty's Day at the University of Illinois. Scores of students were arrested. (rgeier11)

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Campus Tries to Keep Booze Out of Class