The tradition of early-morning bar openings on Homecoming Saturday appears to be in the hands of individual bar owners following a meeting between university officials, law enforcement and Water Street bar owners Friday.

Though no definitive conclusions were reached, University Communications Director Mike Rindo said a number of bars “weren’t willing to open later Homecoming morning.”

“I think the bar owners made their position clear,” he said, “but at the same time, they indicated they are interested in working with the university about issues related to alcohol abuse.”

Student Senate President Aaron Olson called and ran the meeting to ask Water Street bar owners to delay opening their establishments until after the Saturday morning parade is over, citing safety concerns and past alcohol-related problems at the parade.

Olson said he wants students to realize he is only trying to “promote healthy behaviors.”

“We’re not anti-alcohol,” he said, adding he has gotten both positive and negative feedback from students. “We just want people to have a safe Homecoming, because it hasn’t happened in the past.”

A state statute prevents local entities from establishing or enforcing opening bar times, but the university was hoping bar owners would comply with its request, Rindo said.

Brian Schwechel, general manger of The Brat Kabin, 314 Water St., said bar owners brought up concerns that the university was singling them out.

“We’re the ones getting pinpointed a lot, even though we’re just individual owners,” said Schwechel, who added that The Brat most likely would keep its 9 a.m. opening time. “We’ve done things to make it a safe environment. I think everybody was kind of just disappointed in the whole way it was brought up.”

Schwechel also said the university should take the first step in curbing alcohol abuse, which could include stopping the sale of beer at football games.

“That was one major topic that was kind of frustrating to a lot of the bar people,” he said.

But Rindo defended the university’s policies, saying the university only hopes to curb underage and binge drinking.

“The position of the university has been that we’re not in favor of prohibition, and so the suggestion that the university stop selling alcohol at functions … is not something that is consistent with what (our) position is,” he said. “If you’re of age, our objective is to reduce high-risk drinking … and to encourage good judgment and to drink responsibly.”

Feelings about numerous other Homecoming-related issues, such as the parade route and the university’s alcohol control efforts, also were shared among the group.

Tony Roller, manger of She Nannigans, 415 Water St., said “a lot of positive things were discussed.”

“I believe the conclusion we reached is working with the university in the future in different aspects of serving alcohol,” Roller said. “We’re waiting to hear from the university if they will take us seriously, that we want to work with them with a lot of different issues.”

Rindo and Olson both praised the bar owners for their willingness to work together.

“The Water Street bar owners have acted responsibly and with character in the past, and I expect them to do the same in the future,” Olson said.

Student Senate voted Monday to move a resolution requesting bar owners to close Homecoming morning to the Student Life and Diversity Commission.

The commission recommended the Student Senate not pass the Olson-authored resolution yesterday, which will come up for passage at its next meeting Monday night.

It did recommend passing two other Homecoming-related resolutions encouraging safe house parties and participation in safe activities during Homecoming week.