Veishea Kicks Off With Student Forum on Binge Drinking on Colleges Campuses

Ames, Iowa. (April 18, 2001) - As the annual VEISHEA celebration kicks off on the Iowa State University campus, the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Commission is seizing the opportunity to engage in a dialogue with students regarding the sale and consumption of alcohol on college campuses. A Student Forum on Binge Drinking on College Campuses will be held tomorrow (April 19th) in the Oak Room of the ISU Memorial Union from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, and is open to the public.

The Commission last met in Iowa City where a public forum was held on the same topic. While the Commission heard from university officials, community leaders and tavern owners, no students voiced their views during the forum. The lack of student input in the process concerned the Commission.

“The absence of any student voice is not interpreted as a lack of interest in the subject,” noted Lynn Walding, Administrator of the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division. “Clearly, any public policy regulating alcohol consumption in college communities needs to take into account the views and concerns of the affected student body. Student participation is critical to the overall objective of reducing alcohol-related problems on Iowa’s campuses.”

The Commission is attempting to determine whether they should recommend changes in state law to Governor Tom Vilsack and the Iowa Legislature next year. Changes could include a ban on drink specials, such as two-for-ones and unlimited drinks for a set fee, and other practices that promote irresponsible drinking.

Don Stalkfleet, owner of the Sports Column, a downtown Iowa City bar, told the Commission at the last gathering that limiting specials would take away the temptation to follow a competitor’s lead in offering low-price alcohol to draw crowds. “I need legislation to make it a level playing field,” Stalkfleet observed. “Right now there’s so much fog in the air but nothing is really being done.”

Following the Iowa City meeting, the Commission determined that alcohol-related problems on college campuses are not unique to Iowa City and that a second forum would be beneficial. "We are aware that this is not just an Iowa City problem,” Commission member Bob Cramer said. “It's an Iowa problem."