Coastal Carolina University is renewing its liquor license at the HTC Center for sporting events, catering and other special events which take place on campus.
The renewal is expected to be complete in February.
The renewal process is state-specific, ensuring that South Carolina universities renew their liquor license every few years. This renewal is mandated by the South Carolina Department of Revenue and the Alcohol Beverage Licensing (ABL) to ensure alcohol is sold legally on the campus.
The big question that hangs above everyone’s head: is CCU a dry campus? With events that sell beer and wine, as well as the tailgates held for football games, CCU is not exactly “dry.”
Associate Vice President of Auxiliary Enterprises Sandra Baldrige-Adrian said CCU has always had this license, and they want to provide something that people enjoy.
“Dry campus is an old term, but we’ve had this license for years, and we will continue to have these licenses for year,” Baldridge-Adrian said.
The HTC Center isn’t the only location offering alcoholic beverages. Liquor is sold at various sports stadiums including Brooks Stadium, St. Johns Stadium, concession stands and beverage carts on the Hackler Golf Course.
CCU FoodCrew is the only vendor allowed to sell beer, wine and liquor on campus.
Baldrige-Adrian said long games, such as baseball, may raise concerns about the overconsumption of alcohol/ However, CCU has always enforced proper alcohol regulations and processing.
Maintaining the safety of those consuming alcohol ultimately allows CCU to hold and renew its liquor license.
“At baseball, specifically on our campus, alcohol sales end at the end of the seventh inning, which is pretty standard if you got to a professional sporting event,” Baldridge-Adrian said.
Freshman exercise science major Juliana Demarco believes renewing the liquor license is a great idea. People can enjoy a beverage while watching their favorite teams, along with benefits for the University, she said.
“It is a good way for CCU to make money,” Demarco said.
Not all students at CCU are fond of the liquor license renewal. Freshman business management major Anna Brown said she is not excited about the renewal, especially in regard to the sporting events held at HTC.
“Students go to HTC to better themselves and not see alcohol,” Brown said.
