UI sponsoring late-night activities at dorms

Students at the University of Iowa have the option of spending their evenings at a host of school-funded, late-night activities at their dorms now that the bar-entry age in Iowa City has risen to 21.

The university decided to spend $100,000 this semester to pay for organized activities at residence halls, such as soccer tournaments, karaoke, game nights and dances. The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports that the university said there has been an increase in participation.

Jessica Hitchler, 18, a freshman from Newton, recently practiced knitting with her neighbors at Burge Residence Hall while others ate apple pie and drank cider. Hitchler said she isn't a partier and the activity gave her something to do.

"I'd either be in my room watching TV or in Stanley (Hall) with my friend," Hitchler said.

Many activities start at 9 p.m. and last until 1 a.m. and are planned on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. The most popular events have drawn up to 400 students with many events drawing between 80 and 100 students.

Dorm staff try to host both larger events and smaller activities, said Kate Fitzgerald, assistant director of residence life.

"We decided (to do this) with the change in drinking laws downtown and in an attempt to give students more to do," Fitzgerald said.

Students also have a say in what events are planned. Jeff Winter, 21, a senior and a member of the dorm staff in Stanley Hall, said he put in a request and received late-night activity money when his floor wanted a billiard tournament.

In June, the Iowa City council approved an ordinance requiring that only people over age 21 could be allowed into bars at night. Iowa City is in the midst of a debate over the 21-only bar entry ordinance, and a measure repealing the law is on the Nov. 2 ballot.