Students, faculty, parents and various state, city and university officials gathered in the Oak Room of the Memorial Union Thursday to discuss state and Veishea alcohol policies.

“Students misperceive what college life really is as well as how much their peers really drink,” said Brian Dunn, graduate assistant at the Student Health Center. “This causes them to drink a lot more a lot more frequently.”

Members of the State of Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division led the discussion, which covered drink specials, age limitations on bars and binge drinking on college campuses. “I don’t think the drink specials at bars promote the binge drinking, it’s more of a cultural thing,” said Wendell Mosby, senior in apparel merchandising, design and production. “Bar owners need to educate their employees about regulations and responsibility, and accountability needs to be stressed.”

Education and anti-drinking campaigns were suggested as ways to help control drinking.

“Whatever is put into effect, whether it be at state or local level, needs to not just look at universities, but junior high and high school as well,” said Robert Cramer, vice chairman of the commission.

Ames ordinances on alcohol as well as Veishea were also discussed. Tom Oxley, Ames police officer, said there have been fewer arrests in Ames since Veishea went dry three years ago. He said Ames does not need any more ordinances, but more educational programs. “I worked Veishea during the years of 100 and 200 keg parties,” Oxley said. “If you are underage, you should not be allowed in the bars, but when they leave Ames during Veishea and go to Iowa City with their ISU ID, they get into the bars free. The problem is really when they leave the city limits of Ames.”