(U-WIRE) COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Maryland Sen. John Giannetti’s promotion of a national game-day tradition that violates state law has one member of the College Park City Council fuming.

Last week, Giannetti, D-Anne Arundel and Prince George’s, sent a letter to the Diamondback inviting students to a tailgate sponsored by Cornerstone Grill and Loft, Number 1 Liquors and other businesses before the university football game against Florida State University, advertising free food and alcohol. He also wrote he would work to provide more recycling containers on the campus for “beer cans, pizza boxes and bottles.” District 1 Councilman John Krouse criticized the promotion, saying Giannetti should not “be pushing alcohol consumption and parties in parking lots.”

Maryland law forbids the consumption of alcohol in public places unless authorized by a government entity, though Krouse said University Police seem to “make a lot of allowances, and don’t enforce the laws aggressively on game days.”

He said inaction could be detrimental.

“The thousands of alcohol-impaired football patrons who drive away from the university on game day are every bit as dangerous as those who drive drunk every day,” he said. “It is astonishing to see our state senator so openly pandering this activity to students, the vast majority of whom are underage.”

But Giannetti said Krouse’s criticism negates a positive activity that is “not all about beer.” He noted Krouse has never been to one of his tailgates and said the discrepancy highlights a history of contention between the city council and students.

“The city council just doesn’t get it. … It’s about pride for the university, and it’s something I’m proud of doing,” Giannetti said.

Giannetti admits that while he doesn’t card at his tailgates, signs are posted that alcohol will only be given to those at least 21 years old and said there are nonalcoholic drinks available.

But Delegate Pauline Menes, D-Anne Arundel and Prince George’s, said Giannetti’s support of the event still makes her uncomfortable.

-Trish Barba

“I think no one should have the opportunity to serve liquor to underage students,” she said. “I’m not saying that’s happening there, but it’s a likely possibility that could happen when you invite students to a tailgate party where it’s advertised that food and alcohol are available.”

Krouse agrees, citing the large percentage of underage residents on the campus. But Giannetti is adamant that no alcohol is served to underage tailgaters and said it’s just a way for him to reach out to students.

“I consider students a major constituency of mine,” he said. “This is something that not only promotes pride for the team but also gets us talking about issues important to them. I know some council members would love to see the university out of town.”

Menes said she hopes university officials will re-evaluate tailgate set-ups and do something to stop it instead of “closing their eyes.” She encouraged Giannetti to be a “diligent monitor” of those consuming alcohol.

The university is already taking steps to reduce alcohol consumption at tailgate parties, University Police spokeswoman Maj. Cathy Atwell said. She would not speculate on how the University Police would handle Giannetti’s tailgate, but said there is a huge difference between tailgating and alcohol consumption.

“Tailgating is not illegal,” she said. “The consumption of alcohol in public is illegal. … Maryland parking lots are public,” Atwell said. “The University of Maryland Police makes every effort to enforce that.”

Giannetti said he has invited Krouse to his past tailgates and will contact him again both to “explain what the tailgates are really like” and to extend him another invitation.

But Krouse, also a university researcher, already has a response.

“Why would I want to endanger my employment?” he asked. “It’s against the law to drink at the university, and it’s against the law to give away drinks.”