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HomeMy WebLinkAboutA004 - GSB Proposal This proposal is being brought to you by the Government of the Student Body (GSB) at Iowa State University. GSB represents all undergraduate and graduate students at Iowa State University on issues that range from national educational policies to campus policies. Iowa State University has gone through many changes over the past three years. GSB has represented students through all of these changes. The most striking changes have occurred in the area of substance abuse and programming. Mnay of these changes are currently being executed and the future in being planned. This year, approximately 60 percent of Iowa State's students will not be of legal age to consume alcohol. Three years ago, only 25 percent of the students were not of legal drinking age. This change has caused a great deal of discussion on the social environment of Ames. Students have shown great concern over many of these changes. The Veishea disturbances brought many of these discussions to a climax, and action was requested by the city and university. This request prompted GSB to begin its research on the possiblity of changing the city code to allow underage students into drinking establishments. 21-year-old Drinking Age: One issue which is appropriate to consider before discussing the possiblities of allowing minors into bars is the issue of the 21- year-old drinking age. The 21-year-old drinking age has sparked many discussions concerning drinking on and off campus. This change has impacted the college community more than any other segment of our society. According to a study in The Journal of College Student Personnel," November '86 and several other more recent studies, 80 to 90 percent of all college students consume alcohol. Obviously, these results show that the law has not been very effective in controlling alcohol consumption on a college campus. Lawmakers hoped to curb the number of drunk driving cases when they passed the current age limit legislation; however, many studies have shown that raising the drinking age has had negative effects on college campuses. It is apparent that there are current problems with alcohol consumption and the drinking age that must be dealt with effectively. The article in the Journal of College Student Personnel stated that any attempt at state control of alcohol consumption by age requirements alone falsely assumes that legislation can control behavior, particularly on college campuses. Legal obstacles set up to restrict consumption by minors are perceived as rites of passage on the way to proving adulthood. The higher drinking age therefore established alcohol consumption as a standard of adulthood. I would like to suggest that some of the same inherent problems with the 21-year-old drinking age are apparent in the ordinance restricting minors from bars. Instead of being a 'rite of passage' to drink, we have established a 'rite of passage' to illegally enter bars. This problem is further heightened by the fact that Ames is the only university community in Iowa that does not allow minors in bars. CITY ATMOSPHERE There are apparent problems with the current method of controlling alcohol consumption in Ames and at ISU. This was 1 evident in the University/City Ad Hoc Committee report. However, both entities have made great strides in correcting these areas of inadequacy. One issue that is yet to be dealt with is the availablity of social activities for college students. Ames currently does not allow students who are not of age to socialize in the campus drinking establishments. In a recent survey conducted of Iowa State University students, 68 percent of the underage students questioned reported that they did not feel there were enough activities for underage students. The same survey also found that the number one typical activity of underage students by more than a 2 to 1 margin over the next response was going to a party. A small proportion of the underage respondents also freely listed going to bars as a typical weekend activity. The two activities that students are frequenting the most are parties at off-campus residences and socializing in bars. r Off-Campus Parties The number of uncontrolled off-campus parties has grown considerably in the last few years. With the change in residence hall policy, the number of successfully organized floor parties has decreased. This reinforces a student's desire to attend uncontrolled off-campus parties. This situation has many apparent negative results, one of which is students driving after they have been drinking. Students often no longer have the opportunity to go to parties to socialize with their friends in a place that is within walking distance from their place of residence. Another problem is the unmonitored disbursement of alcohol to underage or intoxicated students. Minors drink at will in off-campus premises. It is rare to see ID's being checked or intoxicated individuals being denied alcohol at an off-campus party. These problems are some of the same problems that led to the disturbances on Welch Avenue last May. Drinking Establishments A point that is important to establish is the number of underage students current) in the Y campustown bars. The use of fake and altered I.D.'s has become a widespread problem in this community and others. A large number of our underage students have used fake I.D's to gain entrance to a campustown bar or university function where alcohol is served. Some of these students simply used the fake I.D.'s to gain entrance to the bar so that they could enjoy the music and company of friends. With no restraint after entering, many underage students will drink once they enter the bar. We currently have an atmosphere which could be construed as encouraging the use of fake I.D's. Getting into a bar has become one of the challenges or 'rites of for passage' young college students. These negative situations are not healthy for our community. necessary? Is change ?y This ordinance is ready for change. The city council placed this ordinance on the books 18 years ago. It was passed as a compromise when the very first liquor license was approved. At the time of its passage, alcohol was not even allowed in the city limits. This community has gone through many changes since the first liquor license was approved. John Thurston, council member 18 years ago, says he can't even remember why the council passed the ordinance. I have heard comments that there is no need for change. The current code has worked in the past so why change it? There has been one major change in the state of Iowa which should have provoked an automatic review of this section of city code - the drinking age changed from 19 to 21. As can be clearly seen, there is a great need to review this policy, and I feel there is sufficient proof it should be changed. SOLUTION There is no complete solution to the problems discussed. This does not mean that we should completely ignore many of the problems that currently exist in our community. Ames has a responsibility to do as much as it can to improve any negative situation. We must find the best system to regulate our community. This new system may not be perfect, but I challenge anyone to say that our current system is working effectively. The mayor of Champaign, Illinois, has stated these same concerns in an attached memo. He has been quoted as saying that no "solution" exists. However, if steps could take the city closer to a more effective system, these steps must be implemented. City code change The Government of the Student Body has proposed the following changes to the city code: 1 19 and 20 year old students should be granted the privilege to enter establishments that serve alcohol. 2) If minors are allowed on the premises, legal age drinkers should be clearly identified by a method approved b Chief B y allantine. Arm bands appear to be the best method. 3) Minors found drinking on the premises should be fined a minimum of $75. 4) Drinking Establishments that are negligent in fulfilling their duties to properly monitor their premises for underage drinking should be fined to the full extent of the law. 5) Bars should have the privelege to allow minors into their establishments revoked if they are not adequately patrolling their premises. ' 6 Min ors caught on premises without being properly identified should be liable for a fine regardless of their consumption of alcohol. 7) Allow changes to take place on a trial basis for one year. 8) The changes should start during the summer when it will be easier to monitor and work out any needed changes. 9) Bars must notify Chief Ballantine when they are planning to allow minors onto their premise so that appropriate enforcement procedures can be implemented. Additional suggestions for bar owners to consider 10) Only allow underagestudents with a college ID to enter an establishment. 11) Check ID's at the door and receive a bracelet with a code specifying the ID that was used for entrance. The ID could also be kept at the front door until the patron exits the establishment. These changes would be a step in the right direction toward promoting a more responsible environment in the Ames Community. There have been some legitimate questions raised over the implementation of this policy. Enforcement I feel this policy can be enforced. It has been proven in several other communities that enforcement is feasible. Texas A & M is a perfect example where a similar community has had great success in enforcing this policy. Yes, some students will be able to get away with drinking; however, if this is approached in a responsible manner with education and cooperation of the police and local ' establishments, it can be reasonably enforced. The existing code currently cannot be adequately enforced. On any given night in any given establishment, minors can be found drinking in Ames bars. The use of fake ID's which was discussed earlier, is a major problem. A question that then must be pondered is will the new code improve or hamper the current situation? I argue that the proposed system has the potential of reducing the number of violations in Ames bars. Many of the students using fake ID's to drink will continue to do so with or without the change. With the change the penalties and bars become stricter so students will be less likely to use fake ID's. Students will also become less likely to use fake ID's because they will no longer feel they must in order to socialize with their friends. The first priority of many students who use fake ID's to enter bars is to socialize. Once they have made it past the bouncer, there is no restriction on them from having a drink. If given the option to satisfy their first priority legally, most will Ltake it. Once they take this option, restrictions are still in place to prevent them from drinking. In some cases minors will g attempt to et alcoholic beverages from legal age drinkers. There are several aspects to remember in 1 considering this option though. First, the fines are higher under the proposal for consumption so a larger deterrent exists. Second, if minors feel a necessity to drink, they will probably continue their current habit of using fake ID's. The proposed system adds the opportunity for those who only want to enjoy the atmosphere to do so. Underage drinking will still be a possibility with fake ID's. If we provide bar owners with the opportunity to allow underage students into their establishments, we can also hold them responsible for proper enforcement. If they are not adequately enforcing underage drinking, they should lose their privelege to allow minors into their establishments. Responsible Controls drinking in the bars or in off-campus I do not condone underage d g p locations. If it were to happen though, where is the best location for this to take place? Is it in a controlled environment that is monitored by trained personnel and routinely patrolled by the Ames Police or at an off-campus party where no controls are being enforced? Although it is a desirable goal to have no illegal drinking, reaching this goal is difficult, if not impossible. We do not live in an ideal society and therefore must sometimes choose the lesser of two evils. This rationale is the one of the main reasons behind allowing minors into bars in many other campus communities. In my recent and purposeful travels throughout Iowa and Illinois, I have discussed the reasonings behind "over/under" ordinances with many mayors and city council members. The most common rationale given for allowing minors into bars was a belief that underage drinking could be better controlled and monitored in bars than at off-campus parties. A concern was also stressed over the increased possibilites for drunk driving when students go off campus for their entertainment. Obviously, a controlled environment is the best alternative. I urge the council to pass this change in the city code. I feel that the concerns that have been brought up regarding this issue have been adequately addressed. Students only want an opportunity to be able to socialize with their friends and a chance to prove responsible behavior. Underage students are currently segregated from their older friends. They cannot go to bars with their older friends to enjoy the music or the entertainment. If it is found that this proposal is not feasible, it can be revoked as easily as it was passed. I hope a trial period will be used with the summer starting date. This will allow time for any bugs to be worked out in a reasonable manner. This proposal will not be successful without the community working together in a responsible way. By allowing Chief Ballatine to work with bar owners to iron out the best system, better communication and enforcement will result in our campus town establishments. The cooperation of responsible bar owners is a big factor in the success of this ordinance. If this is not met, fines and a revokation of this priviege can be the result. Responsible drinking atmospheres are a worthy goal in any community. This change will move Ames one step closer to attaining that goal. University Communities The following statistics on other universities across the nation have been gathered to show the range of enforcement methods currently being used in other communities. This practice of allowing minors into bars is common among university communities. Although Ames is a unique community, we have many characteristics that closely parallel the communities at other universities.