Can you still have fun if you don’t possess that important piece of plastic: a fake ID? Many Quinnipiac students find the bar and club scene at the top of their “to do” list for the weekend. Spots like Toad’s Place and El Amigos appeal to students because they are known for their drinking, dancing and socializing.
It may appear as if everyone has a fake ID. Many people bring them from home or quickly acquire one after only a short time here. Some people claim campus is dead without one, and flee Quinnipiac in search of a good time, coming back on the shuttles with blurred memories and pictures on their cameras that they just can’t remember taking. The question is: can you have fun at QU without one?
It depends on the person’s taste and what they like to do on the weekends. “Obviously clubbing and bars are not for everyone, some people enjoy just hanging out on campus where they don’t have to go anywhere and partying in somebody’s room or simply relaxing in their own,” said sophomore Vince Mercandetti.
While that can be appealing to some, it is the complete opposite to others.
“Don’t get me wrong, I like to have nights to chill out and not go to clubs and dance and stuff, but on average I do more than just hang in on campus. I am more of a bar person than a dorm room person,” said junior Vanessa Laccona.
There are advantages to having a fake ID. “Of course the fact that especially if you’re a girl most places don’t even care, you get to go in and have a fun time meeting new people from different schools and such,” Laccona said.
Many can’t wait to get their hands on a fake ID. “I don’t have a fake ID but I definitely wish I did,” said junior Ally Orlando. Cash and timing can sometimes be an issue, in addition to the fear of being at the bar that one unlucky night when it gets raided.
Some say they have enough fun staying on campus and do not see the need for one. “People say you can’t have fun at school without tone,” said junior Annie Patch. “But I don’t have one and I figure if you are with your friends, it doesn’t matter and you can have fun anyway.”
Other students think having a fake ID is a necessity for college students.
“If you would have asked me about fake ID’s in high school I would have said, ‘no I’d rather wait till I’m 21’, but then I was introduced to the bar/club scene. It’s not for everyone, but I like to get dressed up and meet new people,” Laccona said. “I think having an ID should be a must, especially for college students. It gives them a different flavor rather then just sitting in dorm rooms or roaming the campus week after week.”
What happens if I get caught?
In Connecticut, if you are underage and get caught trying to purchase alcohol or gain entry to a bar with a fake license, military ID, or university ID, according to COV 46.2-347 of the Alcohol Bureau Commission, you could face conviction of a class three misdemeanor. Misdemeanors are lesser criminal acts, which may be punishable with a fine of up to $500 and/or up to one year in jail.
