Mustang News Staff Report
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Downtown San Luis Obispo bars will continue to serve alcohol during the mornings of Cal Poly’s graduation weekend, despite a request from city and university leaders that they refrain from doing so.
Members of the San Luis Obispo Downtown Association’s food, beverage and services committee met on Tuesday with Cal Poly Vice President for Student Affairs Keith Humphrey and San Luis Obispo Mayor Jan Marx to discuss their request that bars not serve alcoholic beverages until 9 a.m. on those mornings, according to a statement issued Wednesday by the association. The discussions were “productive,” but businesses downtown chose to continue serving alcohol on the mornings of June 14 and 15, continuing the local tradition of students and parents having an early-morning drink before commencement ceremonies begin.
“The bar owners understood the concern raised by Cal Poly faculty, staff, and students about the ceremonies being disrupted by inappropriate student behavior,” according to the statement.
Associated Students, Inc. leaders requested the bars stay open, “since students are adults and must take responsibility for their own behavior,” according to the statement.
The Downtown Association added that it hopes local bars will be part of an educational campaign Cal Poly will soon launch to promote “responsible celebrations at graduation.”
Sean McMinn contributed to this report.
Letter from Cal Poly and the City of San Luis Obispo regarding pre-graduation downtown bars.