THE UPEI STUDENT Union has filed complaints with the PEI Liquor Control Commi- sion against three Charlot- tetown bars for illegally ad- vertising liquor prices on the UPEI campus.

Judy Meyers, manager of the Panther Lounge in The Barn, says that the com- plaints arise from three sep- arate incidents that occurred in September and October. She says that around Octo- ber 14th, handbills advertis- ing Gentleman Jim’s bar in the K-Mart plaza were found on under the wipers of sev- eral cars in campus _ park- ing lots advertising a spe- cific price for alchoholic bev- erages. This is illegal un- der the PEI Liquor Control Act. -On another occation, free drink tickets for My- ron’s bar on Kent street were handed out to students on campus, which is also ille- gal. Finally, Myers says that a poster advertising drink prices at Otto’s Lounge on Mt. Edward Road was found

Lack of advertising policy

in an on-campus building in September.

“Its not so much the fact that it hurts business here (in the Panther Lounge) or not,” says Myers, “it’s the princi- ple of the thing. If we have to stick to guidlines, then they should too.” ‘

Reg McAdam of the PEI Liquor Control Commission says that they will not be pressing charges against the owners of the bars involved. He says that the commission has sent letters to the owners of the three bars and keeps a file of all complaints they re- ceive, but that they can’t act on every complaint.

“Everything is based on its own merits. If there was no action (from the owners) then we would act”, he says.

According to Myers, the bars are getting away with this type of advertising be- cause the owners say their employees are doing it on their own initiative, not on orders from the bar itself.

“We hear this quite of- ten”, says McAdam.

part of problem

A FISH AND CHIP joint, a fashion show, christmas fair, and clothing alteration service are just some of the off-campus advertisments presently displayed on bulletin

boards around UPEI.

_UPEI administration has no policy preventing any business from hocking their wares on campus property. This is seen as one of the causes that has lead to bars trying to lure students to their establishments.

Michael Hennessey, UPEI Registrar, says he is un- aware of any regulations the adminstration has regarding

off-campus advertisers.

“I’m almost certain there is nothing on this”, he said. Most universities have some policy or guidelines re-

garding the use or bulletin boards and outside advertis- ing. Dalhousie University in Halifax NS, for example, per- mits no off-campus organizations to advertise in university buildings unless they are non-profit.

Citing the example of a restaurant menu left recently on his car, Hennessey said that it may be difficult to pre- vent handbill advertising, but indicated that there should be some control. ;

“J don’t think they (off-campus advertisers) should feel free to do that at their own whim.” — .

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He says that often man- agers and employees want to promote the establishment “they work for and: will dis- tribute promotional material on their own. However, he says, owners who use this as an explaination for incidents of illegal advertising are still responsible.

“It doesn’t hold any wa- ter”, he says, “The report still goes on file; it is their responsibility all the way.”

Even so, the Liquor Con- trol Commission does. not act on every incident brought to its attention. McAdam ex- plained that they maintain a file for the holder of each liquor license. After each complaint, the commission sends a letter to the owner of the bar. When there are enough complaints, he says,

tion.

According to the PEI Liquor Control Act, adver- tising prices or actual types of alcoh blic beverages is pun- ishable, upon summary con- viction, of a fine between

$200 and $500. However, those fines can only be im- posed after the expensive and lengthy process of a court conviction. Accord- ing to McAdam, The Liqour Control Commission has no powers to impose fines itself, but can suspend ligour li- censes.

Myer’s says that she is disappointed that the com- mercial bars use these tac- tics to get students to their establishments.

The hand-

Thursday, November 26 1987

the file is passed on for ac-

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bills being left on car wind- shields on October occurred -two days before the Senior Slass pub at the barn. My- rs says attendance at that hat particular pub was poor, ut, she says, “whether or ot you can relate that di- rectly to that I don’t know.”

The sales this year in the Panther Lounge have been as

good as last year, says My-.

ers. She feels, however, that the Student Union bar offers something unique to UPEI students.

“Because we are here for the students we try to of- fer the best prices and pro- vide a place to socialie.”, she says. “What is supposed to be unique about it is it is a place where students can go to be with other students.” «