UI, Iowa City officials push for 21-only bars

Increased penalties, task forces, alcohol-free activities – none has quenched the thirst young people have for downtown Iowa City bars.

That's especially true among University of Iowa students, who drink excessively at rates much higher than their peers nationally, studies show.

“Our situation at the University of Iowa is not just normal college behavior,” said Tom Rocklin, the UI's interim vice president of student services.

He spoke Wednesday at a news conference called by 21 Makes Sense, the campaign committee he is part of that is advocating in favor of the city's new 21-and-older bar law.

The measure, which the City Council approved in the spring, prevents people younger than 21 from being in an Iowa City bar after 10 p.m. Previously, people 19 and older could be in bars at night.

Voters are likely to get the final say. A successful petition drive has forced the council to repeal the law or put it to a public vote.

The council is scheduled to discuss its plan at its July 12 meeting, but council members have already said they expect the issue to be on the ballot for the Nov. 2 general election.

Backed by strong student turnout, an attempt to increase the minimum bar-entry age to 21 was defeated 58 percent to 42 percent in 2007.

Opponents of the new law have formed a committee of their own, Yes to Entertaining Students Safely, and they argue that the law will push drinking to house parties, hurt downtown businesses and do little to solve the underlying problem of binge drinking.

Mayor Matt Hayek, another member of 21 Makes Sense, said the council's 6-1 vote followed a decade of “limited measures” by the city and an inability to get bars, as a whole, to participate in efforts to reduce binge drinking.

“In the aggregate, the bars have been unwilling or unable to police themselves,” he said.

Hayek believes public opinion has shifted since 2007 and said people are embarrassed by the town's party reputation.

Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz, a 21 Makes Sense member, said in a statement that Iowa City should be known for academics, athletics and culture, not underage drinking, and 21-only would help that.

“I believe that the 21-ordinance and the University's increase in late night activities for students are two steps in the right direction as we work to change this culture,” he said.

Rocklin said the UI this fall would be launching a big slate of alcohol-free activities that were suggested by students, like comedy shows and concerts. He also said the university will soon make an announcement on drinking during football tailgating, much of which occurs in UI-owned parking lots.