Bar hours may soon be extended by an hour, from 1 a.m. to 2.

Interim President Lou Hencken, Charleston City Council members Marge Knoop and Larry Rennels, Student External Relations Chair Kyle Donash and a host of others met Thursday to discuss the extension of Charleston bar hours.

Although the initial extension was proposed more than a month ago, Thursday’s meeting was the first to suggest having extended hours on Friday and Saturday nights as a trial run to see if permanently amended bar hours are possible. If the longer hours are successful on a trial basis, the operating hours of local watering holes could be lengthened permanently.

This extension, however, hinges largely on student behavior and students’ ability to show extended hours won’t be a detriment to bar patrons, the bars themselves or the community.

The possibility of using an extra shuttle bus to deter drunken driving was also discussed as a safeguard for patrons. The shuttle is aimed at not only providing a safe ride home, but preventing students from causing problems while walking home.

Under the latest proposal, bars would stay open until 2:15 a.m., but would be required to stop serving alcohol at 2 a.m. This would not only give students time to get to the shuttle service, but give University Police the opportunity to patrol without patrons engaging in a mass exodus as bars close their doors.

During the meeting, Rennels said Mayor Dan Cougil said they would like to see the university involved in helping with behavior problems on campus, as well as off campus, more aggressively. By taking such painstaking effort with the proposed bar hours and offering safety nets to students, the university is doing all it can. The remaining responsibility falls on the students.

While students have numerous elected representatives to voice their opinions, this proposal offers students the opportunity to make a difference on an individual level. Because the success or failure of extended hours depends solely on students, only student actions can ensure success.

If students want the privilege of drinking later, they need to prove they can handle it. So, at least for the trial basis, prove you can abstain from public urination, drunken public shenanigans, driving under the influence and all of the other concerns raised by those making this decision.