UI supports review of Iowa City bar entry age

University of Iowa leaders support a renewed effort by the Iowa City Council to raise the minimum bar entry age, from 19 to 21, UI officials said in a statement today.

The Iowa City Council last night at a work session said it wants to revisit the 21-only ordinance issue, something voters defeated in 2007. The Gazette's Gregg Hennigan is working on a follow-up story, talking with bar owners and others about the idea.

UI officials in today's statement said they strongly believe reduced access to alcohol will help efforts to keep students safe and healthy.

"While we are not opposed to safe and legal consumption of alcohol, it's our responsibility to do whatever we can to help curb dangerous drinking in our community," Interim Vice President for Student Services Tom Rocklin said.

According to data compiled by the National College Health Association and the university's Office of Student Services, seven out of every 10 UI students indicate that they regularly engage in dangerous drinking -- more than twice the national average of college communities, UI officials said.

Read the full UI statement

here.