University of Iowa News Release

Jan. 16, 2008

UI names team to find solutions to underage drinking problem

Concerned about underage drinking among University of Iowa undergraduates, UI Interim Provost Lola Lopes has assembled two teams of faculty and staff members to help her find solutions to the problem. One group will look into the legal and policy issues surrounding the problem and the other will work to find something else for students to do in the evenings other than drink in bars.

"Students tell me there's nothing to do in Iowa City," Lopes said. "At first, that seems unrealistic, because Iowa City has one of the most vibrant cultural and entertainment environments in the Midwest. But those opportunities for the most part end at 10 p.m., and therein lies the problem. There is little to do in town on weekends between 10 and 2 outside of the bars. We'd like to see if we can help fix that."

Lopes said that faculty and staff she's spoken to have many good suggestions for evening opportunities, from unusual educational offerings to volunteer programs to roller skating and dancing.

Lopes has asked the alcohol alternative group to bring her some conclusions in the next several weeks in hopes of having some solutions in place by the end of the spring semester. The group working on the policy and legal issues will likely have a longer-term commitment, she said.

STORY SOURCE: University of Iowa News Services, 300 Plaza Centre One, Suite 371, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-2500

MEDIA CONTACTS: Lola Lopes, Office of the Provost, 319-351-1429, lola-lopes@uiowa.edu; Charles S. Drum, University News Services, 319-384-0048, charles-drum@uiowa.edu