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Poll Reveals Majority
Oppose Raise Of
Legal Drinking Age
By Karyn Langhorne
On January 31, the Georgia Senate
passed a bill that would raise the legal
drinking age within the state from 19 to
21 years of age. The measure is aimed at
reducing the number of alcohol-related
driving deaths. If the bill is successful in
the House of Representatives, it will
more than likely be signed by teetotaling
Governor Joe Frank Harris and become
law.
College students comprise a large
lobby against this bill, however, and
according to Atlanta Journal sources, it
is doubtful the General Assembly will
pass it.
In an attempt to guage the Mercer
community's reaction to the subject, a
nonscientific poll was conducted by the
Cluster. One hundred and forty-six
students were asked if they favored or
opposed the possible change in legisla
tion. One hundred and seven of those
were opposed to the measure. “It’s not
going to stop anything.” one person
commented. "If peop^want to drink,
they will.” Another frequently raised
observation was that at eighteen, young
people are legally adults who can vote
and be drafted, and therefore should not
be denied alcohol.
Those twqnty-nine who favored the
bill felt the necessity of a crackdown.
“It's abused” and “Too many kids
aren't mature enough to drink" were
their views. Only ten persons polled had
no opinion.
In the event the bill is passed, Mercer
can expect changes in the alcohol policy.
Dr. Blair Jerome Assistant Dean of
Students said, "If the drinking age
changes, so will all the rules.” He also
felt that Mercer students should be
reminded that within our current alcohol
policy, only students of legal age are
permitted to imbibe. Buying alcohol for
minors is a serious offense, punishable
by law.
‘ Something students are not aware
of." Dr. Jerome explained, “is that their
student status will not protect them...
depending on the attitude of the District
Attorney the punishments could be
serious.”
Dr. Jerome added that the political
climate was putting pressure on local
authorities to do something about minors
and alcohol, and warns that students
should bear this in mind.
Financial Aid Now Available
From Private Sponsors
Students in need of financial aid for
next fall should begin now to apply for
the thousands of scholarships being
offered bypfrivate foundations, trade and
civic groups and other sources.
There are over 25.000 different
scholarships available from tax exempt
foundations that are required by law to
make a certain amount of financial aid
available each year in order to maintain
their tax-exempt status.
The Scholarship Bank matches stu
dents with available aid and sends the
student a print-out of the private
financial aid sources that appear to be
most promising for that student. Each
student may receive up to 50 sources of
aid. Most scholarships have a value of
approximately $1,000. and man/ are
renewable annually. Financial need is
pproxupaU
enewable
only one of several criteria to receive aid
According to The Scholarship Bank,
major in college, occupational goal,
geographic preference, military service
of the student or his parent, employer,
union membership, academic standing,
ethnic heritage, and whether the student
is interested in work-study, loans, essay
contests and the like all determine
eligibility for aid
Students wishing t i eceive a print-out
should send a stamped, business-size
self addressed envelope to The Scholar
ship Bonk. 10100 Santa Monica Blvd
#750. Los Angeles. CA. 90067 A
questionaire for the student to fill out
describing him/herself will be sent Dack
t^the student and the applicant then can
"deceive the personalized information.
Kappa Sigma's winning float. Homecoming '82.
Bear Homecoming
Festivities Scheduled
Mercer University's College of Liberal
Arts will celebrate Homecoming Week.
Feb. 14-19, with a series of events under
the theme “Bear Tracks Since 1833.”
Events, which are open to the public
unless otherwise specified, are as
follows:
Monday, Feb. 14
Musical entertainment vintage 1920s
and 30s will be featured in a show at 8
p.m. in the Co-op in the Connell Student
Center on campus.
Tuesday, Feb. 15
The 1950s and 60s are featured during
the day with a Sock Hop to be held at 8
p.m. in the Penfield Gym on campus.
Wednesday, Feb. 16
Country and Western Day will feature,
square dancing in the cafeteria from 4:15
to 5:30 p.m. Featured will be square
dancers and doggers Cafeteria will
serve dinner, and sororities will auction
a limited number of picnic baskets with
proceeds going to combat cystic fibrosis
Afterwards at approximately 8:00 we will
have Players entertain in the Co-op.
Thursday. Feb. 17
The history of Mercer will be featured
in an exhibit in the Connell Student
Center lobby on campus. It is Jersey
Day.
Friday, Feb. 18
Pep Rally at 7 p.m. in Willingham
Auditorium to be followed by a Talent
Show at 8 p.m., also in Willingham
Auditorium. Tommy Day Wilcox is
emcee. A reception will be held at 6 p.m.
in the Trustee's Dining Room at the
Connell Student Center for Orange Coat
Club members. Athletic Hall of Fame
members, former players and alumni.
Saturday. Feb. 19
Homecoming Parade begins at 10:30
p m. at Walnut and Second Streets and
lakes route along Second. Cotton, and
College streets to Mercer. The Mercer
Teddy Bears play Albany State College
at 1 p m. witht the Mercer Bears taking
on Tennessee Tech at 3 p.m. Between-
game reception will be held at 2:15 in the
Monument Rdom. Both games are at the
Macon Coliseum. The Homecoming
King and Queen will be crowned and
other awards will be announced during
halftime of the second game. The
Homecoming Dance will follow at 8 p.m.
in the Monument Room at the Coliseum
for students and alumni. The Waller
* Family and comedian A Whitney Brown
will entertain
Inside
Drinking Age
•
Pune 5
Phil Walden .
Pune 7
Valentine Messages....
P»K* S