Extending local bar hours to meet those of Champaign is neither an impossible concept nor an easy decision, according to Charleston Mayor Dan Cougill.

“There are 1,001 factors,” Cougill said. “I have mixed emotions about it.”

Between the end of spring semester and now, Champaign and Urbana bars have gained the option of staying open later. Both cities’ bars can now serve alcohol until 2 a.m.

Urbana establishments can stay open another hour until 3 a.m., while Champaign bargoers must be out by 2:30 a.m.

Of those 1,001 factors for extending the city’s bar hours, Cougill included university image, policing, safety and resident, university, bar-owner and student satisfaction.

“We would need to know what does the student body want? What do Charleston residents want?,” Cougill said.

One important side is the desire to protect the university and city’s image.

“I graduated from there, and I want my diploma to mean something,” he said. “It’s better to see Eastern mentioned in Forbes than in Playboy.”

Eastern’s image as an academic establishment increased when the bar entry age was raised years ago. Hopes to continue scholastic prestige are more factors in the decision to change bar hours.

“Do I want to be the bad guy? No. Should the university play a role in protecting its image? The university should be taking steps just as the city does,” Cougill said.

Cougill said that Champaign is not necessarily a model for a city like Charleston.

“Champaign is a little different geographically. I am not sure we should be emulating their decisions.”

Another important factor is safety, which has advantages in both directions.

Allowing students to stay at bars longer could increase safety.

“It might be an opportunity to reduce house parties and keep young girls in a more controlled environment,” he said.

By keeping students local, travel risks are eliminated.

“I definitely don’t want Eastern students driving to Champaign to stay in bars an hour longer, then driving back and getting in accidents,” Cougill said.

The later hours may mean less opportunity for disturbing the peace and an opportunity to limit fines.

On the contrary, conflicts and altercations often spark in bar environments. Community policing also fits into the puzzle.

“It is not an issue of drinking, it is an issue of behavior,” Cougill said.

House parties and late nights out would not lead to fines and police incidents if poor behavior were avoided.

“Maybe it would help; there are more factors to be considered,” he said. “I think it would be a good idea to talk about it.”

Having a police force able to accommodate later hours is another issue.

Cougill said lengthening bar hours goes beyond him and is something “we have to figure how to work out together.”

City Editor Carly Mullady can be reached at [email protected].