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Amid party school debate, Lyft offering $5 off St. Patrick's Day rides for UD students

Jessica Bies
The News Journal

While University of Delaware students may not be able to have "super parties" this St. Patrick's Day, they'll still be able to inexpensively hop from house to bar thanks to $5,000 in ride credits from popular ride-share company, Lyft.  

As part of Lyft’s Smart Ride program, which aims to help students "ride smart and celebrate responsibly," UD students can claim $5 off a ride by applying the code UDSTPATRICK19 in the Lyft app between 8:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. on March 15, 16, and 17.

The ride-share company Lyft is offering University of Delaware students a discount on St. Patrick's Day.

“Every year, roughly 30 fatalities on St. Patrick’s Day evening involve an alcohol-impaired driver, and Lyft is committed to doing our part to combat this statistic and encourage responsible choices through our Smart Ride program," said Andrew Woolf, general manager for Lyft Pennsylvania, in a statement. 

Each code is valid for up to $5 off one standard Lyft ride beginning or ending within 2 miles of UD (a radius measured from the Bob Carpenter Center). 

Newark, home to what has been hailed the No. 1 party school in the country, may see far less excitement this St. Patrick's Day. 

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On Monday, the Newark City Council unanimously passed a law that could dramatically affect the way University of Delaware students party off-campus.

Dages, or daytime parties, are common at the University of Delaware. They could soon be classified as "unruly social gatherings."

Targeting unruly "super parties," it allows police to give the hosts or organizers of a party with as few as four people a citation that would require a fine and community service. 

Officials say the law will reinforce respect among neighbors, but college students worry the law will shut down smaller parties along with the big ones.

“I happen to live in a 12-person house,” said Zachary Conner, 20, a junior accounting major. “So if I am sitting outside with my roommates, the cops would technically be able to come up and cause an issue."

The Newark Police Department will implement the changes immediately, which means the ordinance will be in full effect before this weekend's St. Patrick’s Day, a historically disorderly day at the University of Delaware.

There are also strict rules for bars in Newark. Businesses can get punished if customers are disorderly, drink from open containers on the sidewalk and more. 

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That, plus the new law, could push students to celebrate differently this year. 

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Contact Jessica Bies at (302) 324-2881 or jbies@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @jessicajbies.Leanna Smith contributed to this report.