Students have different ideas of how to minimize the draw of house parties.

As part of the 2004 Veishea response strategy, formulated by the Campustown Student Association, a proposed bar ordinance would allow 19- and 20-year-olds to get into select Campustown bars.

The proposal is just one of several other proposals by both the Government of the Student Body and the Campustown Student Association to address the causes of last year’s Veishea riot.

The idea began with the 2004 Veishea Task Force meetings that happened last semester as a way to control underage drinking, said Tony Borich, GSB design senator and vice president of the Campustown Student Association. He said the ordinance idea was supported by most of the students on the task force.

“We have to figure out a way that we can do it and not promote underage drinking,” Borich said.

GSB Speaker of the Senate Henry Alliger said at this point, no ordinance has been written and it is unknown when and if the idea would be implemented.

“One of the advantages would be that there would be more places in Ames for under-21 students to go,” Alliger said.

Ryan Doll, Towers Residence Association senator, said although it is a great idea to give students an alternative to house parties, he does have some concerns.

“I think that at bars that do allow under-21-year-olds in, a lot of times the only reason they are there is to get alcohol from their of-age friends,” Doll said. “When that occurs, I don’t think they are actually accomplishing their goal.”

Doll said a better idea would be to have an establishment, like a dance club, that would offer other activities for minors, like dancing and playing pool.

“You cannot just open up a regular bar and allow minors in because there’s nothing to do but go there and drink,” Doll said.

Alliger said there are other possible disadvantages to the proposed ordinance. He said if the proposal allows only a select number of bars to admit minors, it could cause unfair competition among bars.

The proposal includes possible rules to accompany the ordinance. Minors would need to wear wristbands to show they are underage. Likewise, the bar would be responsible for hiring someone to enforce underage drinking laws, and there would be harsh penalties for violations.

In the proposed bar ordinance, only 19- and 20-year-olds are mentioned.

This does not, however, mean 18-year-olds are not part of the discussion.

“The reason that 19- and 20-year-olds are on that right now is because there were some concerns addressed about high schoolers,” Alliger said.

Alliger said there is a survey being conducted right now to gather feedback on the ordinance.

“It’s a challenge and maybe it’s not possible to let 19- and 20-year-olds into the bars, but we’re trying to figure out ways, and it might work out,” Borich said.