By 8 a.m., green-clad students and their out-of-town visitors could already be seen roaming campus and partaking in the festivities from apartment balconies.

When asked why he was starting so early, John Scheehan, junior in LAS, had a simple reason.

“Why not?”

Campus bars opened at 11 a.m., but patrons must be at least 21 years of age to enter.

Cover fees were still low around noon and the only significant line was at Station 211, 211 E. Green St.

“It’s hard for us to judge (the number of people celebrating); we’re over on oak street where there’s a lot of seniors,” Ali Patchak, a senior in LAS, said on her way to the bar. “People are going to drink no matter what because its safer to drink in a public space.”

With the bar age effectively at 21, local police have said they will focus on apartment parties, and a heightened police presence is already noticeable.

“I think the police should be here to protect the fun and help if it gets out of hand, but not to punish,” said Stephen Plachta, a 2008 University graduate. He and a friend were waiting for Firehaus, 708 S. Sixth St. to open.

Many students already dressed in official Unofficial attire were just in their normal routine and heading off to class but said they would be participating after.

Security officials are out in full force at campus buildings, particularly those with large lecture halls that have attracted students in past years. University administration began checking bags at doors of these halls last year.

“So far it’s been about the same as last year as far as the amount of security yon campus,” said Associate Chancellor for Public Affairs Robin Kaler. “There have been a couple people that were clearly intoxicated when entering but everyone has been very cooperative. This year we have a lot of faculty and administrative volunteers that are stationed at exits and halls and they walk the halls that way faculty members can alert them if there’s a problem with a student in the class.”

Priyanka Dajwani, freshman in LAS, said her 300-400 person lecture at Noyes Laboratory did have security, however, it went pretty smoothly.

“They checked our class for alcoholic beverages but not many students were stopped for being intoxicated, that I could tell,” she said.

Some students are worried about how this is affecting those who aren’t participating and following the rules.

“It’s safe but awkward at the same time,” said Abegail Tongco, sophomore in LAS. “The fact that they are looking through people’s stuff who might not be doing anything invades their privacy.”

Security personnel have been moving between buildings at times there are large lectures behind held.

The whole process is unfair and invasive for students who don’t drink, said Rebekah Marie Andrews, a sophomore in Media. “I had a water bottle and had to throw it out. It’s kind of ridiculous.””

An influx of visitors from out of town have been arriving throughout the night and into today. Mickey McGwire, a junior from Illinois State University, came to the University to celebrate his 21st birthday. And although the early clouds were ominous, he said nothing could affect the day for him.

“Just another excuse to get drunk,” McGwire said.

Kelly Gibbs, Alissa Groeninger, Rosie Powers, Lauren Stewart and Kevin McLoughlin contributed to this report.