It is important to have a mechanism to discourage underage binge drinking, yet I believe the proposed keg ordinance will not lower the percentage of underage drinkers at Iowa State.

A recent study at Penn State University revealed that people under 21 are significantly more likely than those 21 or older to admit that they generally drink hard liquor. In addition, women were significantly more likely than men to drink hard liquor. From my personal experience, students who don’t drink beer don’t binge drink at keg parties. Furthermore, it is easier to alter the alcoholic contents in mixed drinks than in beer, making it easier for students who drink hard liquor to consume more alcohol in a shorter amount of time. Limiting the sale of beer will increase the consumption rate of hard liquor at Iowa State, making it easier for underage students, especially women, to drink more of what they like. I don’t know about you, but I don’t believe having a bunch of drunken 19-year-old women running around campus will be an improvement.

Harvard studies show that, nationwide, 49 percent of colleges and universities reported conducting a social norms marketing campaign to reduce problem drinking. Only 20 percent of schools conducting social norms campaigns banned alcohol on campus, whereas 47 percent of all schools without such campaigns did so. Also of note, four out of five respondents considered their prevention programs successful. Although banning or limiting keg sales seems like an easy way to combat underage binge drinking at Iowa State, I see it as a poor attempt to solve a very real problem.

Sarah Walter

Junior

Mechanical Engineering