Want a beer?

You’d better be 21. In Kansas, it’s the law.

And don’t try to drink it on the Kansas University campus. On campus it doesn’t matter how old you are; the general rule is selling and drinking alcoholic beverages is forbidden.

There are exceptions. The chancellor can designate a specific site to allow alcohol for certain social functions. During football season, alcohol can be consumed in certain designated areas, but no alcohol is sold or allowed in Memorial Stadium except the luxury suites.

KU Public Safety officers, as well as agents from the Kansas Department of Revenue’s Alcoholic Beverage Control office, closely watch football game tailgaters to make sure everybody follows the rules. Compliance with the tailgating rules has improved, officers said.

For example, in 2002 there were 22 violations during tailgating involving either a minor in possession of alcohol or having alcohol outside the designated area. In 2003, the number of violations dropped to six.

“I think people are getting used to the rules,” Capt. Schuyler Bailey said.

Also during all of 2003 four people were arrested on campus for driving while intoxicated, according to Public Safety Office statistics. That was a slight increase from two arrests the previous year. There were no arrests, however, for public drunkenness, and only one person has been arrested for that during the past five years, statistics showed.

Under KU policy, any student or employee found to be possessing or consuming alcohol on campus is subject to disciplinary action.

Employees could be fired. Students will be subject to sanctions that include completion of an approved drug or alcohol rehabilitation program, disciplinary warning, probation suspension or expulsion from the university.

Someone violating the dry campus laws could face punishments set down by the state of Kansas and Lawrence city ordinances as well.

Consuming or possessing alcohol on campus is a misdemeanor, but could result in a maximum penalty for first offenders that includes a month in jail and a $500 fine, alcohol education and a 30-day driver’s license suspension.

A third conviction is a felony and could result in a year in state prison and a $2,500 fine, as well as other penalties.

It is also illegal in Kansas to drive while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs. The state considers you legally drunk if your breath or blood alcohol content measures .08 or more.

Alcoholic Beverage Control agents periodically sweep into Lawrence unexpectedly to check on bars and clubs to make sure no sales are being made to youths under 21. Even some private neighborhood parties are watched.

If Alcoholic Beverage Control officers or police find a minor is able to buy liquor or beer from a liquor store or grocery store, the minor will be given a notice to appear in court on a certain date.

Within 30 days of the minor getting a ticket, the bar will be sent a copy of the minor’s notice to appear, and when the investigation is completed, the business will get a citation. Fines are possible.

Lawrence Police also sometimes make bar checks. Although police don’t keep track of how many fake IDs they confiscate, they usually find plenty, officers said.

Police also have launched several investigations during the past couple of years involving college-age suspects who use computer equipment and other technology to make false IDs.

“It’s really a sophisticated setup,” said Sgt. Dan Ward, police spokesman. “They’re actually producing hundreds of IDs and selling them at a pretty substantial price.”

Ward also noted that in this age of terrorism concerns, someone caught selling IDs to a terror suspect could face serious charges.